Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through 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 is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO’s goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.
The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.

Specifically, FAO Country Offices:
•    advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate.
•    provide technical assistance and deliver core services.
•    assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation.
•    position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and
•    ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.

The position is located in the FAO Country Office in Kenya.

The grade of the position is SC-6.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative in Kenya, and the direct supervision of the Programme Managers, the Program Assistants will undertake the day-to-day implementation of and follow-ups on Programme/project activities at the national level.

The Programme Assistant will perform the following key functions:

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Support the project manager in following up and planning with the various FAO units and partners in the delivery of the project/programme.
•    Overseeing support activities in project implementation against project workplans, objectives and operating environment.
•    Assist the programme manager in the following up of requests for services to be provided under MS 502 and 507 in line with the FAO rules and regulations.
•    In collaboration with the technical teams, support in the collation and compilation of the programme annual and quarterly project workplans, procurement, LoA and travel plans.
•    In collaboration with the M&E unit and the technical officers, follow up on project periodic reports and submit to Operations for final submission and uploading in the system.
•    Ensure timely submission of Staffing action requests and supporting documents to the Operations Team for processing.
•    Follow up with the operations and travel units to ensure timely submission of Travel Authorizations, LTECS and BTORS timely processing.
•    In collaboration with the operations/budget’s team, ensure projects’ transactions are continuously mapped in FPMIs.
•    Track procurement requests and follow up with the operations unit to ensure timely delivery in the field.
•    Maintain an asset register for all project related assets and ensure proper handover of assets in liaison with the Asset manager.
•    Maintain an up-to-date register of all programme contracts and LoAs on the shared-Drive.
•    Review adequacy of financial reports provided by Service Providers and in collaboration with the operations and Finance units, ensure timely payments and closures of POs.
•    In collaboration with the communications team, organize and undertake the compilation of project success stories for documentation.
•    Preform Other related duties as assigned by the programme manager.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements  

•    A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in agriculture, environmental sciences, rural development or other related fields.
•    Six years of relevant experience in the project management and/or Operations
•    Working knowledge of English and Kiswahili
•    National of Kenya

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Work experience in corporate Sytems i.e FPMIS and GRMS
•    Extent and relevance of experience in Project cycle management

Selection Criteria

•    An Advanced Degree from a recognized university in the same fields is an added advantage.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION