Field Programme Support and Operations Specialist

Organizational Setting

FAO Azerbaijan Partnership and Liaison Office, in close cooperation with the government and its in-line Ministries/Agencies, contributes to the sustainable agri-food systems, and supports the government with addressing issues food security, agriculture and rural development, natural resource management in the country. FAO’s technical assistance, provided mainly through projects, includes institution building, development of knowledge and competencies, and exchange of experience among FAO member countries.

Reporting Lines

The Field Programme Support and Operations Specialist works under direct supervision of and reports to FAOR and receives programmatic guidance and coordinates with AFAOR.

Technical Focus

Field programme development and management, coordination, operational support.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Monitors the progress of both pipeline and ongoing projects at country level and prepares relevant reports and briefs according to pre-established formats; • Contributes to programme development (including identification of new projects/programmes in the country) and project formulation processes in accordance with the relevant procedures and in conformity with relevant UNSDCF/CPF, regional priorities and FAO Strategic Framework; • Cooperates with the funding liaison units and other units in the mobilization of resources required for technical assistance projects; • Supports timely action relating to preparation of delivery estimates, pipeline reviews and preparation of project related reports (progress and terminal reports); • Participates in the analysis of technical and operational backstopping requirements for the field programme in collaboration with the respective budget holders; • Reviews, updates and maintains the field programme related information and data in the FPMIS (Field Programme Management Information System), trains staff in FPMIS use and data maintenance, and serves as focal point for FPMIS-related requirements for the sub-region; • Acts as focal point, oversees and coordinates the collection and storage of sub-regional and country-related information and documents; • Monitors project budgets, provides advises to Project Managers on the budgetary and the procurement related issues, and carries out the budget revisions, as required • Ensures close oversight of project appraisal and approval processes in line with the revised Project Cycle guidelines, and undertakes necessary follow-up actions with relevant departments/units; • Provides guidance and advice to project budget holders in the sub-region on procedural issues relating to project operations; • Provides support to the budget holder in ensuring the provision of scheduled inputs including experts, consultants, equipment, fellowships, training, and sub-contracts, and technical backstopping, and monitors their timely execution, in line with project work plans; • Identifies projects/programmes facing problems and draws them to the attention of responsible officers/units concerned, and follows up with budget holders on projects/programmes; • Monitors the completion of field projects, and follows up with budget holders to ensure the timely submission of terminal reports and operational and financial closure of projects; • Uses COMMIT/IMIS to facilitate monitoring and oversight of country offices through regular reports, flagging possible issues that may affect the FAO programmes and operations in the country offices and providing an information base to support corrective actions/revision of plans that might be required; • Performs such other related tasks as may be required by the supervisor.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in economics, accounting, business administration, agricultural economics, or any other field related to the work of the Organization; • Five years of relevant experience in agricultural development and/or project planning/formulation/ implementation in an area of FAO's activities in the country; • Working knowledge of English as an official communication language used for FAO communication; • Working knowledge of the Azerbaijani language; • National of Azerbaijan or a legal resident in the country.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience (minimum 3 years) in different international organizations in field program support/operations • Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project development (including formulation and analysis) and management (implementation) • Demonstrated understanding of the purpose and functions of the technical programme, operational guidelines and project/programme management procedures, preferably those adopted by the United Nations or FAO, which would be considered an asset