ABOUT THE COMPANY:

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Our goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With over 194 member states, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide. We believe that everyone can play a part in ending hunger.

JOB SUMMARY

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.
FAO Representation in Sierra Leone implements an integrated food security programme, focusing on diversification of livelihoods, managing natural resources and building resilience.

The Office employs a diverse team of experts locally, but also attracts the available technical experts from the region and the headquarters.

FAO works in close partnership with the Government of Sierra Leone, farmers and other stakeholders, supporting plans and policies that affect the food and nutrition security in the country; our work is a part of the corporate commitment to support countries to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, especially SDG 2 on Zero Hunger.
The post is located in the FAO Representation in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Reporting Lines

The Assistant FAO Representative (Administration) reports to the FAO Representative.

Technical Focus

Programme administration and financial management, including accounting and personnel administration.

Key Results

Effective and efficient provision of administrative support to programme and project activities of the FAO Representation.

Key Functions

•    Provides support in the areas of administration, finance and budgetary control.
•    Maintains all financial records and monitoring systems of the office and assists with monitoring of various accounts; supervises and/or maintains imprest accounts; ensures that operational expenditures are in accordance with approved budgets and that all committing documents are complete and consistent; and reports variations from budgets.
•    Supervises the administrative team, assisting with organizing and/or retrieving, entering, selecting and analysing data from a wide variety of sources, including FAO’s corporate systems.
•    Prepares financial and administrative correspondence for the office, including the processing of payments in accordance with established rules; maintains a filing system; and ensures that an appropriate paper trail with key documentation is archived.
•    Assists with the preparation of recurring reports on programme, project and office accounts; provides support in the preparation of reports for budget planning, audits and other related requests; and liaises with local banks and financial institutions.
•    Monitors the receipt of Government contributions and ensures that all procurement and custom clearances for programmes, projects and the office are properly requested and obtained.
•    Ensures the compliance with the Organization’s security guidelines (Minimum Operational Security Standards – MOSS).

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    National of the country of assignment.
•    Advanced university degree in a field related to business or public administration.
•    One year of relevant experience in office management, administration, accounting and/or audit, budget or finance.
•    Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English.
•    Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of the local.

Competencies 

•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Communication
•    Building effective relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in the field of office management and administration including supervisory experience.
•    Extent of knowledge of UN or standard operational rules and procedures and project/programme administrative management procedures.
•    Extent of knowledge of FAO’s corporate systems and database, or knowledge of other accounting or financial modules or applications relevant to accounting procedures or project budget management would be considered an asset.
•    Demonstrated analytical and judgment skills and ability to apply rules and regulations in the subject field.

Assistant FAO Representatives shall be granted fixed-term appointments for such period or periods as the Organization may determine and having an expiration date specified in the letter of appointment or extension.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the total length of service shall not exceed five years.

Appointments, including extensions, do not carry any expectation of renewal or of conversion to another type of appointment. However, this does not preclude the incumbents from applying to other positions in the Organization.

REQUIRED EDUCATION: Bachelor Degree

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: 60