Programme Associate

Organizational Setting

This vacancy announcement is for two positions located in:

• the Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment (OCB) which promotes integration of innovative approaches in the activities of the Organization, to promote the sustainable use, management and conservation of natural resources for food and agriculture. The OCB assists member countries in their responses towards the challenge of climate change mitigation and adaptation, as well as the development of adaptive capacities of agriculture, fisheries and forestry for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and other natural resources. It provides a coordination role on climate change, biodiversity and the environment. The Office also serves as the focal point for a multidisciplinary and global approach to UNFCCC, CBD and topics on bioenergy as well as undertaking work and providing support and guidance on assessment, management and tenure issues. OCB hosts the FAO-GEF Unit and FAO GCF unit whose work across FAO enables member countries to access financing and whose programme coordination needs are significant.
• Secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), OCBT

Main Purpose

The Programme Associate plays a lead role in the coordination of programme/ projects support services for the office. He/ she performs a broad range of programme, planning and budgeting activities requiring in-depth analysis and interpretation of relevant policies, procedures and practices. The incumbent provides procedural guidance to managers and staff in the office or location.

Supervision Received/Exercised

The Programme Associate reports to the Director OCB and will work closely with the Senior Coordinator, GEF and GCF Units in OCB (for position 2008255) / reports to Secretary, ITPGRFA (for position 2007898). Work is performed autonomously, showing a high degree of initiative and independent judgment. Supervision received is focused on facilitating service delivery. The incumbent provides guidance and training to programme support staff in the office.

Working Relationships

The Programme Associate maintains a wide range of contacts with managers, staff and stakeholders inside and outside the office. The incumbent collaborates closely with colleagues in other offices and the corporate services, ensuring the quality and consistency of programme/ projects support services.

Key Functions/Results

• Coordinate the preparation, submission, revision and follow-up of the Programme of Work and Budget, and the monitoring and provision of information on the implementation of the PWB;
• Coordinate, review and analyze the Periodic Budgetary Reports for final submission to the Office of Strategic Planning;
• Assemble and synthesize data from corporate and Office’s data bases to facilitate the analysis of programmes, projects or activities, and to draft periodic or ad hoc management reports;
• Monitor projects and ensure the maintenance and retrieval of programming reference material, documentation, data and information;
• Consolidate and monitor various reports on Office’s human resources planning and expenditures, the use of non-staff resources, the Office’s communication and publishing plans, IT plans, and travel schedules;
• Screen incoming correspondence to identify issues requiring further attention and draft related correspondence;
• Support knowledge building and knowledge sharing across the office through training of staff and briefing of budget holders on administrative/budgetary/planning/programming/financial procedures and processes;
• Review current processes and make recommendations to improve programme/projects administration procedures;
• Perform other functions as required.

Impact Of Work

The incumbent's work impacts directly on the smooth and efficient operations of the programme/ project activities of the office. He/she plays a lead role in the coordination and provision of the programme support services for the successful achievement of the Office's mandate.

He/ she plays a pro-active role in the successful achievement of the office's mandate.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

Education: Secondary School Education

Experience: Five years of experience in administrative/ financial/ planning/ programming/ budgeting activities for both Regular Programme and Projects

Languages: Working knowledge (Level C) of English and one of the other FAO languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish)

IT Skills: Good knowledge of the MS Office applications, Internet and office technology equipment.

Competencies

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

Technical Skills

• Thorough knowledge of corporate information systems
• Thorough knowledge of programme and budget processes and procedures
• Thorough knowledge of common administrative and financial rules and regulations
• Thorough knowledge of communication and documentation standards

Desirable Qualifications And Skills

• For position no 2008255 in OCBD: Excellent knowledge of PIRES work planning modules and FPMIS tools; Strong skills in financial analysis and income planning; Experience in working with GEF and GCF programme support
• For position no. 2007898 in OCBT: Experience in organizing large scale intergovernmental meetings both in and outside FAO HQs and thorough knowledge of FAO meeting documents templates and meeting documents processing; Very good knowledge of the International Treaty, its policy processes and main operational mechanisms; Very good organizational and planning skills; Very good knowledge of the corporate programming structure; Ability to apply knowledge of various FAO administrative financial and budgetary rules and regulations in all work situations; Ability to work under minimal supervision, taking ownership of delegated responsibilities and fulfilling

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified applicants may include an assessment exercise and a technical / competency-based interview.