Organizational Setting

The Agrifood Economics and Policy Division (ESA) conducts economic research and policy analysis to support 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. ESA provides evidence-based support to national, regional, and global policy processes and initiatives related to monitoring and analysing food and agricultural policies, agribusiness and value chain development, rural transformation and poverty, food security and nutrition information and analysis, resilience, bioeconomy, and climate-smart agriculture. The division also leads the production of two FAO flagship publications: The State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA) and The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) and provides core technical support for FAO’s Roadmap on achieving SDG2 without breaching the 1.5°C threshold.

The post is located in the Front Office of the ESA Division at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Main Purpose

The Programme Associate plays a lead role in the coordination of programme/projects support services for the office. He/she performs a broad range of programme, planning and budgeting activities requiring in-depth analysis and interpretation of relevant policies, procedures and practices. The incumbent provides procedural guidance to managers and staff in the office or location.

Supervision Received/Exercised

The Programme Associate reports to the Director, ESA. Work is performed autonomously, showing a high degree of initiative and independent judgment. Supervision received is focused on facilitating service delivery. The incumbent provides guidance and training to programme support staff in the office.

Working Relationships

The Programme Associate maintains a wide range of contacts with managers, staff and stakeholders inside and outside the office. The incumbent collaborates closely with colleagues in other offices and the corporate services, ensuring the quality and consistency of programme/projects support services.

Key Functions/Results

•    Coordinate the preparation, submission, revision and follow-up of Divisional/Office/Centre budget, as well as the monitoring and provision of information on its implementation.
•    Coordinate, review and analyse the Periodic Budgetary Reports as needed.
•    Assemble and synthesize data from corporate and office databases to facilitate the analysis of programmes, projects or activities, and to draft periodic or ad hoc management reports.
•    Monitor projects and ensure the maintenance and retrieval of programming reference material, documentation, data and information.
•    Consolidate and monitor various reports on human resources planning and expenditures, the use of non-staff resources, communication and publishing plans, IT plans and travel schedules.
•    Screen incoming correspondence to identify issues requiring further attention and draft related correspondence.
•    Support knowledge building and knowledge sharing across the divisions/offices through training of staff and briefing of budget holders on administrative/budgetary/planning/programming/financial procedures and processes.
•    Review current processes and make recommendations to improve programme/projects administration procedures.
•    Perform other functions as required.

Impact of Work

The incumbent’s work impacts directly on the smooth and efficient operations of the programme/project activities of the office. He/she plays a lead role in the coordination and provision of the programme support services for the successful achievement of the office’s mandate. He/she plays a pro-active role in the successful achievement of the office’s mandate.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

Education: Secondary School Education.
Experience: Five years of experience in administrative/financial/planning/programming/budgeting activities
Languages: Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of one of the other working languages of the Organization (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
IT Skills: Good knowledge of MS Office applications, Internet and office technology equipment.

Residency: General Service Staff are recruited locally. To be eligible for this position, candidates must be nationals of the country of the duty station or possess an existing visa/work permit and reside within commuting distance of the duty station at the time of the application. “Commuting distance” means the distance within which staff members can travel daily between their place of work and their residence.

Competencies

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

Technical Skills

•    Thorough knowledge of corporate information systems.
•    Thorough knowledge of programme and budget processes and procedures.
•    Thorough knowledge of common administrative and financial rules and regulations.
•    Thorough knowledge of communication and documentation standards.

Desirable Qualifications and Skills

•    Demonstrate understanding of the implications of different funding sources for project and budget management.
•    Extensive knowledge of the processing of secondment of staff members, Technical Support Services (TSS) claims and funding changes for staff and affiliate staff (NSHR).
•    Extensive knowledge of processing of various types of accounting adjustments.
•    Extensive knowledge and experience in key administrative processes (human resources, travel and procurement) as well as work planning and reporting.
•    Experience in mentoring and training staff.
•    Extensive knowledge of corporate computerized financial/travel/human resources systems and administrative procedures and policies.