Operations Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Our goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives.

Operations Specialist will be assigned in Astana, Kazakhstan and will provide support to the FAO Partnership and Liaison Office in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Reporting Lines

Operations Specialist will work under the overall supervision of Head of the Country office and will receive day-to-day guidance of Programme Officer/Team Leader

Technical Focus

Provide operational assistance to the FAO Partnership and Liaison Office in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Tasks and responsibilities

- Coordinate day-to-day project operations of the FAO Kazakhstan projects in order to ensure timely provision of scheduled inputs and monitor their timely execution in line with the project work plan including facilitation of personnel recruitment and procurement actions (including LoAs); - Organize periodic Project Task Force meetings and provide guidance and advice on the PCM procedures, and ensure conformity of the activities with the project document; - Be responsible for budgetary management and monitoring of the approved field expenditures including conduct budget revisions, regular update of delivery estimates in FPMIS, facilitate Call for Funds (CCF) and prepare financial report as per donor requirements; - Coordinate the preparation or update of work plans including budget and logical framework matrices; - Ensure timely updating the Field Programme Management Information System (FPMIS) inputs, including delivery estimates, logical framework matrices, work plans, budget (as mentioned above) and uploading documents such as BTOR, Technical reports, Workshop Proceedings, LoAs, etc.; - Formulate correspondence with recipient governments, donors and other entities ensuring the quality of correspondence in consultation with FAOR; - Participate on behalf of the team leader or project manager in various meetings organized for donor coordination and resource mobilization, as required; - Prepare analytical reports/information on project performance and other issues, as required; - Perform other related duties as required by the supervisor.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in agriculture, economics, business administration, agricultural economics or any other field related to the work of the Organization, • At least five years of relevant experience in agriculture, economics, business administration, agricultural economics; • Working knowledge of English, Russian and Kazakh • National of Kazakhstan or resident in the country with a regular residence/work permit in Kazakhstan

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Familiarity with data analysis, project management, risk management, process optimization.

Selection Criteria

• Good knowledge of the MS Office applications, Internet and office technology equipment • Work experience in more than one location or area of work • Extent and relevance of experience in project management, business administration, economics and finance and etc.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• 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.