International Operations Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) 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 ‎ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region and, in ‎collaboration with the Offices, Centres and Divisions at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to ‎regional priorities. RAP also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization’s Programme of Work and Budget ‎and implements approved programmes and projects in the region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention ‎to problems and deficiencies. RAP develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the UN Economic and Social ‎Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and regional inter-governmental organizations.‎ The Regional Office supports regional policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates the ‎emergence of regional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and ‎rural development in the region.‎

Within RAP, the Country Support and Field Programme Service (CFP) is responsible for strategic guidance and monitoring of resource mobilization and partnerships, direct management of regional projects, guidance to country offices to monitor and support implementation of country field programmes , management of the regional Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP), project cycle oversight of Global Environment Facility, Green Climate Fund and extra-budgetary trust funded project supports emergency programmes and ad hoc country requests..

In addition to CFP’s delegated Budget Holder (BH) functions for regional projects, CFP also supports ADG/RR in overall oversight and management of the field programme in Asia Pacific region. Special attention is given to large and complex projects under specific funding modalities (EU, GEF and GCF) and countries with large portfolios due to economic, political or natural hazard induced crisis. The post is located in RAP Office, Bangkok, Thailand.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will report to the Senior Field Programme Officer (SFPO) and will assist the Senior Field Programmme Officer (SFPO) on the regional programme portfolio through directly assisting the Budget Holder in operational and financial matters that contribute to the group’s management, oversight and backstopping responsibilities.

Technical Focus

Within RAP, the Country Support and Field Programme Service (CFP) is responsible for strategic guidance and monitoring of resource mobilization and partnerships, direct management of regional projects, guidance to country offices to monitor and support implementation of country field programmes , management of the regional Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP), project cycle oversight of Global Environment Facility, Green Climate Fund and extra-budgetary trust funded project supports emergency programmes and ad hoc country requests.

In addition to CFP’s delegated Budget Holder (BH) functions for regional projects, CFP also supports ADG/RR in overall oversight and management of the field programme in Asia Pacific region. Special attention is given to large and complex projects under specific funding modalities (EU, GEF and GCF) and countries with large portfolios due to economic, political or natural hazard induced crisis.

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the SFPO and in close coordination with the RAP technical officers and country teams, the incumbent will be responsible for day-to-day matters concerning coordination, operations, monitoring, financial management, project cycle requirements of projects and programmes implemented in the region. The incumbent will also provide country operational back-stopping support to selected countries and assist in monitoring the field programme activities. In particular the incumbent will:

• Assist the SFPO in the overall monitoring of the Asia-Pacific trust fund field programme. • Assist project and programmes through the different steps of the project cycle using FAO tools (iMIS, FPMIS, FPSN, GRMS), and provide timely and regular operation guidance to various budget holders and project teams; • Assist the SFPO to ensure timely operational clearance reviews of incoming project proposals and FPSN monitoring; • Support management and quality assurance for project funded Letters of Agreement (LOAs) and its monitoring.. • Support Budget Holders in project budget management and log frame monitoring including monitoring the cash balances, timely submission of Call for Funds in accordance with the Funding Agreement, projection of final budget, preparing financial reports according to resource partner’s templates and facilitating required clearances. • Identify operational capacity needs and gaps (planning, reporting, budget, general project cycle and FAO internal rules and procedures) among RAP/CO/project staff, and support the development of training and guidance materials on iMIS, FPMIS, FPSN and other corporate tools for Country Office and project staff; • Support the implementation of selected regional and country projects assigned to CFP and regional project Budget Holders to ensure timely provision of inputs, personnel, equipment and supplies to implement project activities as per work plans and ensure timely project delivery (including participating in field missions when requested); • Support Budget Holders in CFP for GEF/GCF-funded projects on day-to-day operational and financial actions, managing budget and coordinating contractual arrangements (mostly Operational Partners Agreement and /or Letter of Agreement) with external partners and assist with internal coordination within FAO; • The consultant shall familiarize him/herself with FAO’s corporate training programmes related to operational and budget holder matters as well as operational guidelines to ensure quality control of the this supporting function. • The consultant shall coordinate closely with the RAP technical officers and administrative staff in order to discharge their responsibilities • The consultant will provide regular updates to their supervisor on tasks conducted • Undertake necessary project budget revisions as required; and • Provide other related operational support as assigned.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in public or business administration, finance, accounting, economics, social science or a related field to FAO mandate; • Minimum five years of professional experience in internal control, finance, administration, risk management, audit, or a related field; • For consultant: working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese and/or Russian; • For PSA: working knowledge of English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Knowledge of Project Cycle and project management, programming and resource mobilization • Experience in work in Asia region, UN or international agencies, familiarity with Un administrative, operational and financial procedures • Analytical capacity to deal with complex issues related to operational matters • Ability to work in a multicultural environment • Ability to work independently • Good organizational skills • Demonstrated writing and communication skills • Computer skills in Office applications including Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint