Module Assistant

Organizational Setting

The Food And Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ (FAO) Sub-regional Office for the Pacific (SAP) supports the following 14 member Pacific Island Countries (PICs): Cook Islands, Micronesia (the Federated States), Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. FAO SAP is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing strategies with the member countries for addressing sub-regional agriculture, fisheries, food security, nutrition and rural development priorities and is a subsidiary of FAO’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) which is based in Bangkok, Thailand.

Reporting Lines

The Module Assistant will be under the direct supervision of the FAO SAP Fisheries and Aquaculture Officer and provide support to all Staff in the Better Production Module. In addition, the MSA will be in regular consultation and coordination with the Assistant FAO Representatives (AFAOR) and Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) under FAO SAP. The assistant shall provide operational, administrative and technical support for the identification, design and implementation of projects and programs within the countries covered by FAOSAP.

Technical Focus

The incumbent undertakes high level and specialized Module support. He/she supports work of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Portfolio with the associated corporate initiatives and ensures quality, efficiency, transparency and consistency of functions and processes. The MSA requires in-depth knowledge and interpretation of FAO policies, procedures and practices; and maintains a wide range of contacts with managers and staff within and outside the organization. He/she works closely with colleagues at various level in the Module team in the handling of specialized processes and the provision of experienced Module support as will be directed.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Participate in the development and monitoring of assigned Module and projects, and provide technical, operational and administrative support, identifies problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions, liaises with relevant parties, identifies and tracks follow-up actions; • Collect and compile data on Module and project activities to support monitoring and reporting on Module and project delivery; • Facilitate activities related to budget and funding (program/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and related documents/reports; • Facilitate and follow up on operational, administrative and financial actions related to staff management, non-staff support, travel, payments, and procurement; • Provide information on Module and project expenditures and status of Module and project budget including keeping track of financial transactions related to Letters of Agreements (LoAs) and Service Contracts; • Process reports, documents, publications and correspondence related to the work of the Module and projects; • Support monitoring of consultants and national counterparts over project implementation; • Facilitate consultations with PICs to identify their needs; • Make arrangements for meetings, seminars, conferences and events including implement logistics, prepare correspondence, compile and distribute documents, make operational and administrative arrangements of travels, etc.; • Provide support in the production of communication, advocacy materials and outreach activities; • Review and direct correspondence, calls and queries to appropriate contacts; provide for background information; respond to routine enquiries; and • Perform other related duties, as assigned by the supervisor.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Higher Education qualification such as a Diploma or bachelor’s degree in business administration, business management, information systems, communication or related fields. • At least three years of relevant experience in project/programme planning, monitoring and implementation. • Working knowledge of the English language • Excellent communication skills and the ability to work in a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team. • National of Samoa or resident in Samoa with a valid Work Permit

FAO Core Competencies

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