National Programme Assistant (SC-4)

Organizational Setting

FAO supports the Government of Bangladesh in developing policies, programmes, and projects to achieve food security and reduce hunger and malnutrition, develop the agricultural, fisheries, and forestry sectors, and use their natural resources sustainably. FAO Bangladesh has four priority areas: i) productive, diversified and knowledge-based agro-economic growth, ii) healthy, safe, and nutritious food, iii) climate resilience and nature-based, low-carbon sustainable development, and iv) gender equality and youth development.

In response to Rohingya influx in 2017, FAO established a sub-office in Cox’s Bazar to manage a portfolio of projects that include agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and natural resources management and emergency response and resilience building Bangladeshi host communities and Rohingya refugee camps FAO Cox’s Bazar Field Office implements projects on sustainable productivity, resilient livelihoods, improved food security, and ecosystem health in four sub-districts of Cox’s Bazar, namely Cox’s Bazar Sadar, Ramu, Teknaf, and Ukhiya.

Reporting Lines

The Programme Assistant (SC-4) will be under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative to Bangladesh, day-to-day guidance of the Emergency and resilience Programme Coordinator and Head of Field Office in Cox’s Bazar, and technical supervision of the Programme Management Specialist, in close collaboration with project specialists, operations team, and Communications Specialist.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will be responsible for monitoring the implementation of project activities, conducting quality assurance checks on implementing partners and service providers, and supporting programme and project work planning. S/he will ensure timely and effective implementation of the project activities and provide day-to-day programmatic support to various projects. The incumbent will ensure the quality of field activities performed by the implementing partners’ staff and the collection of data and information in identifying programmatic gaps and opportunities. S/he will mainstream Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) principles, donor compliance, visibility, disaster mainstreaming, gender and other crosscutting issues.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Contribute to the development and monitoring of programme and project annual and monthly work plans

• Monitor field activities and performance of implementing partners and collect and analyse field data

• Support the development of training curricula, modules, and materials for beneficiaries

• Organize and implement the distribution of inputs to project beneficiaries

• In close cooperation with the MEAL team, coordinate assessment activities in the project sites

• Support the integration and mainstreaming of Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) principles and crosscutting themes, such as gender equity and protection throughout activities planning and implementation

• In coordination with the Operations team, manage project budgets against outputs and planned activities

• Establish and maintain effective relationships with implementing partners, suppliers, civil society, and government partners to effectively and efficiently deliver technical support and inputs at the field level

• Liaise with government institutions and the private sector on market development and establishing linkages among farmers, aggregation centres, and local markets

• Actively participate in coordination meetings and stakeholders’ consultations

• Perform other related duties as assigned

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in agriculture, business management, statistics, development studies or related discipline. Postgraduate degree preferred but not required

• Minimum five years of professional work experience in programme and/or project planning, implementation, quality assurance and reporting

• Working knowledge of English and Bangla

• National of Bangladesh

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus

• Teamwork

• Communication

• Building Effective Relationships

• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Proven track record of successful teamwork, good presentation/facilitation skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Ability to work independently and with minimum supervision

• Self-motivation, willingness to learn and strong work ethic in a multi-disciplinary team environment

• Ability to use standard software such as MS Word, MS Excel and MS PowerPoint

Selection Criteria

• Experience in complex/protracted emergencies

• Experience in conflict-sensitive and peacebuilding programmes

• Field experience in implementing activities and strategies

• Ability to communicate with local dialects will be considered an asset

• Previous experience in the development of training modules and provision of training, an asset

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help please contact: [email protected]
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.