Programme Officer

The Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) is responsible for leading FAO's response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO's priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region and, in collaboration with divisions and offices at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities. RAP also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization's Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. RAP develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs). The Regional Office supports regional policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region. The post is located in the Country Support and Field Programme Stream of the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) in Bangkok, Thailand.

Reporting Lines The Programme Officer reports to the Senior Field Programme Officer, Country Support and Field Programme Stream, Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP).

Technical Focus Field programme management as delegated Budget Holder, operational backstopping and oversight including emergency, rehabilitation and development projects, for national and regional projects.

Key Results Research, technical analysis, and office management related services to support the delivery of programmes, products, and services at regional level and globally in coordination with other Regional Offices.

Key Functions • Reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and contributes to the introduction of corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties in particular other regions; ensures follow-up actions; • Contributes to policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, generates survey initiatives; reviews, analyses and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions; • Prepares various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analyses, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications; • Provides substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations; • Assists with outreach and communication-related activities; reviews and contributes to the development of learning materials, conducts training workshops, seminars; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.

Specific Functions • Collaborates in the development of improved/updated tools, systems, processes, and databases; • Participates on multidisciplinary teams, and/or leads working groups/teams collaborates with other centres/divisions/offices and agencies on work groups and committees and promotes best practices; • Assumes delegated role as Budget Holder and implements FAO Project Cycle and relevant project management tools in the region, and ensures timely and quality delivery of field programme/projects; • Monitors progress and performance of field programme of the region and provides advice and solutions as necessary; • Supports the day-to-day operations on matters relating to the implementation of assigned RAP regional projects, including emergency, rehabilitation and development project operations, with appropriate project implementation modalities; • Organizes project task force meetings and ensures the secretariat of such meetings; • Ensures the preparation of project work plans, monitors progress and, where necessary, identifies corrective measures to overcome operational constraints; • Reviews and monitors project budget and resources management, and prepares requests and revisions as required; maintains and alerts about budget expenditures and resources; reviews project transaction listings with a view to identifying errors in accounting against budget lines; • Ensures the complete and quality of data and documentation in the FAO corporate systems (GRMS, FPMIS, etc.) for all assigned operational field projects/activities; • Ensures compliance to the project cycle management from the design and formulation of project proposals through to project closure, ensuring quality assurance under different funding arrangements; • Acts as surge capacity in crisis contexts in support of in-country capacities; • Provides guidance and support on operational matters to Country Offices, including training of RAP and country office staff, to ensure the necessary operational capacity for the implementation of the FAO field programme is maintained; • Engage and support FAO resource mobilization and partnership establishment for FAO field programmes/projects, and • Performs other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements • Advanced university degree in public or business administration, finance, accounting, economics, social sciences or other fields related to the FAO mandate; • Five years of relevant experience in in project management and operational support; • Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

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

Technical/Functional Skills • Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions; • Relevance and extent of experience in supporting, advising and/or managing the formulation and implementation of complex, multistakeholder projects and programmes, including experience in applying due-diligence and quality assurance; • Ability to develop plans for the implementation and coordination of projects in developing countries, in partnership with UN agencies and other concerned actors; • Familiarity with UN administrative, operational and financial procedures is an asset; • Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset.