Organizational Setting

The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) is a regional fisheries management organization (RFMO) established under the provisions of Article XIV of the FAO Constitution. The main objective of the GFCM is to promote the development, conservation, rational management and best utilization of living marine resources as well as the sustainable development of aquaculture in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. To this end, the GFCM formulates and recommends appropriate measures for the conservation and rational management of living marine resources and ensures these recommendations are implemented; constantly reviews the economic and social aspects of the fishing industry, recommending specific measures in connection with its development; promotes and carries out training, research and development activities, in addition to cooperation and technical assistance in fisheries-related fields; collects, publishes and disseminates information on exploitable living marine resources and on fisheries exploiting these resources; promotes programmes for marine and coastal fisheries enhancement.

The core activities and overall workplan of the Commission are financed by its Members through a Trust Fund. Additionally, GFCM receives voluntary contributions for the development of ad-hoc projects and outreach activities to be implemented at regional level within its area of competence.

The post is located in the GFCM headquarters at Palazzo Blumenstihl (Via Vittoria Colonna 1, 00193 – Rome, Italy).

Reporting Lines

The Programme Specialist/s will report to the GFCM Programme Officer, and depending on assigned tasks will work under the direct supervision of the GFCM Finance Officer and in close collaboration with other relevant technical staff and consultants in the GFCM Secretariat, including programme and operations experts

Technical Focus 

The Programme Specialist/s will support the implementation of selected programme and project activities towards the efficient management of assigned budgetary and extra-budgetary resources entrusted to the GFCM by its Contracting Parties, Cooperating non-Contracting Parties and partners. The incumbent/s, on the basis of assigned tasks, will perform a variety of transversal functions in the field of financial monitoring, administrative and operations support as well as support to the preparation of M&E plans for selected projects, further collaborating in the formulation of advice for project managers on administrative, operational and financial related matters.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Support the elaboration of periodic financial and operational monitoring reports for assigned projects of the GFCM portfolio and gather relevant data from a variety of sources, including from FAO corporate systems and by liaising with relevant technical and administrative staff of the Secretariat;
•    Collaborate in the drafting of progress project reports (including financial reports, when needed), in compliance with established FAO procedures and in line with the contractual obligations foreseen under existing funding agreements with selected donors;
•    Participate in the annual project reviews and planning workshops for selected projects and assist technical managers in preparing relevant supporting material (including presentations, drafting of correspondence, annual workplan monitoring reviews, etc.);
•    Perform a variety of tasks (disposal/retirement of assets, clearing of outstanding commitments, review of project expenditures, etc.) to support the preparation of selected project operational and financial closures;
•    Ensure timely reporting to supervisor/s on identified issues, risks and bottlenecks requiring remedial actions;
•    Provide timely and efficient operations and administration support to the implementation of programme and projects activities. Support in handling procurement, back charges, accounting adjustments, payments and other programme support activities in line with divisional and organizational needs;
•    Support the preparation phase of the mid-term reviews for GEF projects by providing relevant monitoring data to the evaluation teams and assist the project staff in preparing relevant M&E reports;
•    Liaise with relevant collaborating departments and FAO offices on matters related to contracts, payments and other programme support activities, including through service requests initiated in the FAO Service Now portal;
•    Maintain up-to-date records for assigned project activities in compliance with FAO recordkeeping practices and develop dedicated internal repositories, including to support eventual audit campaigns;
•    Perform any other duties related to the above-listed tasks, as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    For Subscribers, university or technical degree in business administration, project management, finance, accounting, economics or any other related field relevant to the Organization. For Consultants, advanced degree in mentioned fields are required;
•    At least one year of relevant experience in the execution of programme and project support activities, including project implementation support, budget monitoring, financial reporting, administration and support to operations;
•    For Subscribers, working knowledge of English (level C) is required. For Consultants, working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of French or Spanish is required.

FAO Core Competencies

•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Communication
•    Building Effective Relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Demonstrated academic experience in business administration, project management, finance, accounting, economics or any other related field relevant to the Organization;
•    Demonstrated work experience in the field of financial monitoring and reporting of projects;
•    Demonstrated work experience in the support to project operations and programme support activities;
•    Familiarity with corporate ERP systems (e.g. Oracle Financials);
•    Familiarity with FAO record-keeping standards and experience in the maintenance of repositories;
•    Excellent numerical and organizational skills;
•    Experience in International Organizations is an asset;
•    Extensive knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite, in particular Microsoft Excel is an asset.

Selection Criteria

•    Extent and relevance of the experience in project financial monitoring and reporting;
•    Extent and relevant in the support to project operations and programme support activities;
•    Knowledge of the FAO-OED evaluation policy;
•    Experience and knowledge in programme support, administration and financial support area;
•    Excellent numerical and organizational skills;
•    Extensive knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite, in particular Microsoft Excel is desirable;
•    Familiarity with ERP corporate financial systems (e.g. Oracle Financials);
•    Familiarity with FAO record-keeping standards and experience in the maintenance of repositories;
•    Familiarity with procedures and operations of RFMOs and fisheries advisory bodies;
•    Knowledge of FAO Administrative, Financial rules and tools is desirable.