Programme Assistant

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized technical agency of the United Nations established in 1945 whose mission is to contribute to eradicating hunger and achieving food security for all. FAO contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO’s Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agri-food systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Currently in Nepal, FAO projects focus on technical capacity building, policy development, enhancing agri-production, strengthening food systems, improving food & nutrition security, enhancing resilience to Disasters and impacts of Climate Change as well as threats posed by zoonotic diseases to human health through the One Health approach. FAO also contributes to the coordination of humanitarian assistance/relief and transition to livelihoods recovery within the agriculture sector, under the framework of the food security cluster.

Reporting Lines

The Programme Assistant will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative and direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) and in close consultation with Programme team.

Technical Focus

Provide needful support for programme and project operations as envisioned in the Terms of Reference (TOR).

Tasks and responsibilities

The Programme Assistant will be responsible to carry out the following tasks:

• Assist in the preparation of project proposals/documents, project briefs, project progress/final reports, background papers, sections of reports and studies. • Collect and compile data on programme/ project activities to support reporting on programme/ project delivery. • Process, format and proof-read reports, documents, publications, and correspondence related to the work of the Country office from draft texts. • Review and direct correspondence, calls and queries to appropriate contacts; provide for background information; respond to routine enquiries. • Assist in the organization of policy dialogues, workshops and consultation meetings and preparation for project periodic reviews, field monitoring and supervision missions in close consultation with programme team, government counterparts and other relevant stakeholders. • Make arrangements for meetings, seminars and events: implement logistics, prepare meeting minutes, correspondences, compile and distribute documents, support in administrative arrangements. • Enter, select, analyze, and summarize data from various sources, including FAO corporate systems, such as COIN (Country Office Information System), FPMIS (Field Programme Management Information System), Global Resource Management System (GRMS), country databases, etc to support programme operations. • Maintain log, file and update records in prescribed format for subsequent use. • Participate in project monitoring by maintaining current registers and controlling tools on the status of projects at various stages; review inputs, expenditures, and time frames according to work plans; make necessary abstracts and computations; detect inconsistencies. • Assist in the preparation and submission of periodic and ad hoc project and country office reports. • Prepare background material, working papers and tables for briefings, review sessions and meetings. • Prepare correspondence to verify data, answer queries, and obtain additional information on transactions and operational matters, as required. • Maintain a filing system of technical and project documents and correspondence. • Carry out other specific operational tasks for programme/ project implementation as requested. • Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• National of Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal • Bachelors’ Degree in Agriculture, Forestry, NRM, Development Studies or other related fields • Three years of relevant experience in supporting programme, project operations preferably with UN agencies, I/NGOs or donor funded government projects. • Working knowledge of English

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• The candidate shall have competency and demonstrated practical experience in supporting project and programme operations • Good knowledge of the MS Office applications, Internet, and office technology equipment

Selection Criteria

• Extent of relevant experience in the areas related to supporting programme and project operations • Ability to work with a multidisciplinary and multicultural team. • High degree of team ethics, well-organized, result focused and dynamic personality. • Previous experience of working with UN agencies will be an asset.

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.