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’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

The Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) is responsible for leading FAO’s response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO’s priority activities in the region. It oversees the network of Country Offices and the Subregional Office for Central Asia. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region, and, in collaboration with Divisions, Offices and Centres at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO’s strategic response to regional priorities and the implementation of the Organization’s strategies through programmes and projects across the region.
REU supports the formulation and implementation of the Country Programmes and Projects, including Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs), and their contribution to the FAO Strategic Framework and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) at the country level, advising Decentralized Offices on corporate priorities such as the Strategic Framework and on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization’s Programme of Work and Budget.
REU leads, formulates, implements, monitors and reports on the Organization’s programmes and budget in the region and draws management attention to problems, deficiencies and risks.
REU leads the preparation of the Regional Conferences and the Statutory Bodies in the region.
REU develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions, including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs), and participates in the United Nations Regional Architecture, such as UN Regional Forums on Sustainable Development and UN Regional Collaborative Platforms and related mechanisms.
REU delivers an improved, integrated and collaborative business model to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, consistency, innovation, agility and responsiveness in logistical, operational, financial and other support services at all levels to accelerate the achievement of the Organization’s programme in the region and ensure compliance with the Internal Control Framework.
The position is located in the Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia in Budapest, Hungary.

Main Purpose

The Programme Assistant is responsible for the coordination of specialized and complex processes and activities in support of the delivery of the Office’s work programme, planning and budgeting activities. He/she provides procedural guidance to managers and staff in the Office.

Supervision Received/Exercised

The Programme Assistant works under the general supervision of one or more professional staff members of the technical officers team in the Regional Office.
The incumbent operates independently and takes decisions on work priorities. Supervision received is focused on the quality of work output. He/she provides guidance and advice to other programme support staff.

Working Relationships

The Programme Assistant works closely with a wide range of colleagues across the Organization, ensuring the consistency and quality of programme/project support services provided by the Office.

Key Functions/Results

•    Monitor both Regular Programme and Project budgets, ensuring that funds are properly allocated and reported upon, and take corrective action if required; inform management of any budget issues that may require attention.
•    Provide support to budget holders in the preparation of the Periodic Budgetary Reports (PBR), the biennial Programme of Work and Budget (PWB) and related work plans for the division as needed.
•    Prepare project budget revisions in consultation with budget holders.
•    Respond to a variety of routine queries and provide clarifications on programme and project matters; inform management and team members of processes, procedures and timeframes to secure administrative services needed for programme/project execution; initiate correspondence to verify data, obtain additional information on transactions and budgetary matters.
•    Review data quality and maintain office records and reference files on various subjects; compile and synthesize data from various sources to support financial analyses on programme/project activities; generate periodic or ad-hoc management reports.
•    Coordinate the full array of administrative and financial actions related to staff management, non-staff support, travel, payments and procurement.
•    Provide procedural guidance to junior Programme Assistants and other staff in the work unit.
•    Review and make recommendations to improve current programme/project administration procedures and processes.
•    Perform other functions as required.

Impact Of Work

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

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

Education: Secondary School Education.
Experience: Four years of relevant experience in the provision of programme/projects support services.
Languages: Working knowledge (proficiency – level C) of English.
IT Skills: Good knowledge of the 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

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

Desirable Qualifications And Skills

•    Working knowledge (proficiency – level C) of Russian.
•    Experience in organizing online and in-person meetings, workshops, trainings and large conferences and very good knowledge of online platforms (Zoom, MS Teams, etc).
•    Experience in supporting several members of multidisciplinary teams.
•    Familiarity with the full event cycle, including preparation, execution and post-event support.
•    Competence in preparing and submitting travel expense claims, Back-To-Office Reports and other official documents.
•    Experience in supporting travel logistics for international consultants and technical officers, including visa applications, e-ticketing and travel itineraries.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements