The National Programme and Operations Specialist will be responsible to carry out the following tasks:

•    Support in the coordination, formulation and implementation of FAO country programmes/projects in Nepal (including regional and global projects with country components), in close consultation with government, development partners, donors, FAO RAP and FAO HQs;
•    Assist in carrying out programme/project operational responsibilities in line with the project agreement and FAO programme cycle management guidelines and administrative procedures, and propose timely corrective measures to overcome operational constraints;
•    Coordinate and support the preparation of progress reports, financial statements, instalment requests, budget revisions, work plan of the projects and facilitate project closure, in close coordination with the Lead Technical Officer and Funding Liaison Officer;
•    Assist in organizing project related events, trainings and workshops, in close consultation with government and other relevant organizations/partners;
•    Prepare field visit plan, facilitate and participate in project monitoring, technical backstopping and supervision missions and field visits;
•    Participate in relevant meetings, workshops, seminars as assigned;
•    Support the preparation of concept notes, project documents and briefs, and ensure that required information and data are properly reflected;
•    Contribute to the preparation of various written outputs, e.g., draft background papers, analytical notes, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications and background material for the FAOR and AFAOR (Programme) including meeting minutes on a variety of topics, as required;
•    Support in the collection, consolidation, and maintenance of country data on food, crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries as well as project/ programme related information;
•    Support project monitoring by maintaining current registers and controlling tools on the status of projects at various stages; review inputs, expenditures and time frames according to work plans; make necessary abstracts and computations; detect inconsistencies;
•    Support in liaising with relevant government ministries, donors, and implementing partners, for FAO activities and project implementation, as required;
•    Carry out other programmatic tasks for the FAO office in Nepal, as well as for FAO programmes/ projects in Nepal as required, and
•    Perform any other duties as needed.

Requirements: 

Minimum Requirements

•    Bachelor’s degree in relevant fields/sectors such as Agricultural and Rural Development, Food Security and Nutrition, Climate Change, Natural Resources Management, and/or International Development. A Master’s degree would be an advantage.
•    A minimum five years of experience in supporting the formulation and implementation of development and emergency projects in the relevant fields/sectors mentioned above.
•    Working knowledge of English and Nepali languages is required.
•    National of Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Competency and Experience in:
o    Program/Project Formulation & Implementation: Development and emergency programs/projects.
•    Technical Expertise:
o    Capacity building (technical).
o    Policy development (relevant to programme/projects).
o    Enhancing agricultural production.
o    Strengthening food systems.
o    Promoting agri-value chain development and agri-business entrepreneurship.
o    Fostering digital agricultural innovation.
•    Impact Areas:
o    Improving food & nutrition security.
o    Gender empowerment and mainstreaming.
o    Enhancing resilience to disasters, climate change impacts, and zoonotic diseases.
o    Implementing the one health approach.

Selection Criteria 

•    Extent of relevant technical experience in the areas related.
•    Ability to manage and work with a multidisciplinary and multicultural team.
•    Proven experience in operational and project management in the areas mentioned above.
•    Strong work ethic, well-organized, result focused, good team player and dynamic personality.
•    Previous experience of working with UN agencies is an asset.
•    Proven writing and reporting skills.
•    Ability to operate under pressure and good interpersonal skills.
•    Good computer skills.