Programme Assistant
Support programme and project activities, assist in budgeting and admin processes.
This opening expired 2 years ago.
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Overview
Support programme and project activities, assist in budgeting and admin processes.
You have:
- Secondary School Education required.
- Four years of relevant experience in the provision of programme/projects support services.
- Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English.
- Limited knowledge (intermediate - level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
- Good knowledge of MS Office applications, Internet and office technology equipment.
Organizational Setting
The FAO Liaison Office for North America (LOW), located in Washington, D.C., plays a key role in advancing FAO's mandate to end hunger, malnutrition and poverty worldwide, while achieving the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. Toward this end, the Liaison Office for North America engages in partnership-building, policy dialogue, information sharing, and raising the visibility of the Organization in the region.
LOW is also responsible for the communication, cooperation and collaboration with the government agencies of the United States and Canada, each countries' legislators and/or parliamentarians, civil society, academia and the private sector in the region.
The position is located in the Liaison Office for North America in Washington, D.C., United States.
Main Purpose The Programme Assistant is responsible for the coordination of specialized and complex processes and activities in support of the delivery of the division's work programme, planning and budgeting activities. He/she provides procedural guidance to managers and staff in the division.
Supervision Received/Exercised
The Programme Assistant works under the general supervision of the Director, LOW and receives guidance from the Senior Liaison Officer, LOW. The incumbent operates independently and takes decisions on work priorities. Supervision received is focused on the quality of work outputs. He/ she provides guidance and advice to other programme support staff.
Working Relationships
The Programme Assistant works closely with a wide range of colleagues in the division and with client offices, ensuring the consistency and quality of programme/project support services provided by the division.
Key Functions/Results
• Monitor both Regular Programme and Project budgets, ensuring that funds are properly allocated and reported upon, and take corrective action if required; inform management of any budget issues that may require attention; • Provide support to budget holders in the preparation of the Periodic Budgetary Reports (PBR), the biennial Programme of Work and Budget (PWB) and related work plans for the division as needed; • Prepare project budget revisions in consultation with budget holders; • Respond to a variety of routine queries and provide clarifications on programme and project matters; inform management and team members of processes, procedures and timeframes to secure administrative services needed for programme/project execution; initiate correspondence to verify data, obtain additional information on transactions and budgetary matters; • Review data quality and maintain office records and reference files on various subjects; compile and synthesize data from various sources to support financial analyses on programme/project activities; generate periodic or ad-hoc management reports; • Coordinate the full array of administrative and financial actions related to staff management, non-staff support, travel, payments and procurement; • Provide procedural guidance to junior Programme Assistants and other staff in the work unit; • Review and make recommendations to improve current programme/project administration procedures and processes; • Perform other functions as required.
Impact of Work
The incumbent's work impacts directly on the smooth operations and performance of the division's programme/project activities. He/she plays a lead role in the provision of programme support services for successful achievement of the organizational unit's mandate.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
Education: Secondary School Education. Experience: Four years of relevant experience in the provision of programme/projects support services. Languages: Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate - level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish). IT Skills: Good knowledge of the MS Office applications, Internet and office technology equipment.
Residency: General Service Staff are recruited locally. To be eligible for this position, candidates must be nationals of the country of the duty station or possess an existing visa/work permit, and reside within commuting distance of the duty station at the time of the application. "Commuting distance" means the distance within which staff members can travel daily between their place of work and their residence.
Competencies
• Results Focus • Teamwork • Communication • Building Effective Relationships • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical Skills
• Very good knowledge of corporate information systems. • Very good knowledge of programme and budget processes and procedures. • Very good knowledge of common administrative and financial rules and regulations. • Very good knowledge of communication and documentation standards.
Desirable Qualifications and Skills
• Knowledge of FAO organizational structure, especially the field offices. • Knowledge and/or experience in supporting project management. • Experience with streamlining administrative systems and processes.
Potential interview questions
| Can you provide an example of how you've managed budgeting for a project? | This question assesses your direct experience and understanding of budget management. | Describe a specific project, the budget involved, and the outcomes. |
| Describe a situation where you had to handle multiple requests simultaneously. How did you prioritize your work? | This checks your ability to manage time and handle pressure. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What do you see as the key challenges in providing programme support? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you ensure effective communication with team members and stakeholders? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Can you describe a time when you improved a process or system? What was the impact? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
Added 3 years ago
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Updated 1 year ago
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Source:
fao.org
