National Operations Specialist

Overview

Support operations for FAO projects in Guyana and ensure compliance with standards.

You have:

• Advanced university degree in business or any related field with at least three years of relevant experience in project management, budget or finance.
• University degree in business or any related field with at least five years of relevant experience in project management, budget or finance.
• Working knowledge of English.
• National of Guyana.

Organizational Setting

FAO Country Offices help governments create policies and programs for food security, sustainable agriculture, fisheries, and forestry. FAO is supporting Guyana through projects that contribute to the country’s development agenda prioritizing areas related to sustainable agricultural, food and forestry systems, reduced hunger and poverty alleviation, climate change mitigation and adaptation, disaster risk reduction, improvements to family nutrition, and rural development. The 2022-2026 Country Programming Framework with Guyana sets four priorities: i) Transformation to more sustainable agriculture food systems, resilient value chains and agricultural communities with enhanced disaster risk management capacity, increased use of digitalization and ICT to enhance efficiency and competitiveness in agriculture, and de-risking the agriculture food system.

Reporting Lines

The National Operations Specialist will report to the FAO Representative in Guyana and will work in very close coordination with the Assistant Representatives (Programmes and Administration). He/she will carry out his/her work in dialogue with the coordinators of the programmatic areas and will coordinate programmatic work with the program associates.

Technical Focus

The Specialist will oversee and deliver operational support to FAO projects implemented in Guyana ensuring adherence to FAO and donor standards and requirements.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Support operational matters related to projects implemented in Guyana according to the FAO project cycle rules and guidelines in close consultation with the relevant project teams and recommend corrective measures to overcome operational constraints. • Support FAO’s monitoring and oversight of the Operational Partner’s (OP) compliance under Global Environment Facility (GEF)funded projects, to enable timely implementation in accordance with the with Operational Partner Agreement (OPA), project document, project work plan, project Risk Mitigation and Assurance Plan, agreement with co-financiers and the rules and procedures of FAO, and GEF. • Support FAO’s financial management of projects including: the administration of funds from resource partners/ disbursement requests and the transfer of funds and certification of the request for funds in accordance with relevant provisions; assist in the verification of financial submission from project partners and help to prepare project expenditure accounts and final accounts for projects; supporting financial services to projects including budget release, budget revisions, and project budget amendments; and GEF Fees. • Support the review of the current operational processes in the project office in Guyana to improve relevant practices and workflows, while keeping up to date with FAO's operating standards and procedures. • Participate in the formulation of new project proposals and preparation of project documents for the required authorization and final approval under different funding agreements and support the preparation of budgets, drafting of Terms of Reference, EOI, RFPs, etc, • Support the CO in coordinating and strengthening partnerships including with Government and resource partners, to facilitate timely communications, effective monitoring of project implementation activities, and provision of clear guidance for required operational matters. • Support the preparation and management of project budgets utilizing FAO’s corporate systems, including: the review and monitoring of project budget expenditures and transaction listings within allocated budget lines to ensure compliance with FAO policies and resource partners’ requirements; assist in the monitoring of cost-sharing budgets between programmes & projects; preparation of budget requests, and assist with budget revisions. • Support routine operational transactions within the framework of project cycle management and in accordance with FAO policies. • Support the CO in facilitating and coordinating project missions, workshops, meetings, and training sessions. • Support the preparation/review of project procurement and operational plans, for the timely provision of personnel inputs, technical support services, subcontracts, training, equipment/supplies, and other needs related to project operations, in accordance with the project work plan, procurement plan and Recruitment Plan. • Support the review of project work plans to ensure deliverables are on track and recommend any corrective action to overcome operational constraints. • Support the preparation and timely submission of project reports, including financial and progress reports in accordance with FAO and resource partners’ guidelines and project reporting requirements, ensuring the necessary input from technical officers and project partners. • Support resource mobilization. • Support the management of a filing system for all projects, ensuring that records and data are maintained and filed appropriately. • Work closely with FAO technical units, as well as Program Unit; and consultants to support project compliance with FAO and resource partners’ rules and procedures. • Perform other tasks as needed.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in business or any of the following: public administration, project management, finance or a related field with at least three years of relevant experience in the areas of project management, budget or finance. OR University degree in business or any of the following: public administration, project management, finance or a related field with at least five years of relevant experience in the areas of project management, budget or finance. • Working knowledge of English. • National of Guyana.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Proficiency on the use of Results Based Management (M&E) tools and budget monitoring tools. • Extent and relevant experience working with development partners including the UN and the government of Guyana. • Financial and budgetary analysis skills • Demonstrated understanding of the purpose and functions of technical programmes, operational guidelines, fiduciary management standards and programme/project management procedures, preferably those adopted by the United Nations or FAO would be considered an asset.

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Potential interview questions

Added 2 months ago - Updated 2 months ago - Source: fao.org