Programme Officer

Organizational Setting FAO's' Food and Nutrition Division (ESN) assists Members to improve diets and raise levels of nutrition and provides support with appropriate policies, strategies and methodologies for improving the efficiency and inclusiveness of their agriculture and food systems. As a knowledge leader, areas addressed include dietary assessment, support on nutrition-sensitive food and agriculture policies and programmes, effective nutrition promotion programmes, food value chains, market linkages, post-harvest handling, food loss and waste reduction and nutrition-sensitive agro-processing. FAO is committed to support Members in their efforts to improve nutritional outcomes as stated in the Rome Declaration on Nutrition (November 2014) and to mainstream nutrition across all the work of the Organization. The position is located in the Food and Nutrition Division (ESN) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines The Programme Officer reports to the Deputy Director, Food and Nutrition Division, ESN, and works under the overall guidance of the Director, ESN.

Technical Focus Programme management and operational support to the planning, development, formulation, implementation of programmes/projects in accordance with Divisional objectives and the FAO Strategic Framework.

Key Results Develop, implement, monitor and evaluate assigned programme/projects.

Key Functions • Participates in the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects, etc.; monitors and analyses programme/project development and implementation; • Reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and tracks follow-up actions; • Assists in policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies, etc.; • Prepares various written outputs, e.g. drafts background papers, analyses, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.; • Undertakes outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities; • Coordinates activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).

Specific Functions • Contributes to the preparation of annual work plans and provides advice to the budget holders on the utilization of staff and non-staff resources, and monitors programme and budget implementation for extra-budgetary activities, with due regard to coherence with corporate priorities. • Oversees FAO project cycle at the divisional level, for all programme/projects at all stages, ensuring results-based focus and adherence to FAO procedures and processes. • Supports the ESN programme budget holders in effective operations, budget planning, monitoring, revision and consistency with the overall programme budget. • Coordinates requests/proposals related to Trust Fund projects at the divisional level, ensuring Technical Services are provided in line with the Cost Recovery Policy and Divisional Regular Programme workplans. • Contributes to strategic oversight within the division's management team, provides advice, knowledge management on programme/operational/audit matters and systems controls in close collaboration with other FAO functional units (administration, finance, etc.), making proposals for improving processes and strengthening capacities and information sharing. • Contributes to resource mobilization activities, proposing projects requiring additional funding and identifying funding options, in close collaboration with the Resource Mobilization and Private Sector Partnerships Division (PSR), Programme Priority Areas of the FAO Strategic Framework and Regional Initiatives Teams. • Liaises with other UN agencies as appropriate on administrative and financial matters related to ESN, when applicable. • Monitors delivery and budget allocations and assists the Project Task Force (PTF) in drafting annual project work plans, related budgets and budget revisions, ensuring timely authorizations for processing and distribution of progress reports and other documents as required. • Liaises with PSR concerning interactions with the donor on budget revisions and to ensure compliance with FAO's financial and administrative procedures, as well as support in periodic progress and terminal reports for review by those units having technical, financial, legal and operational responsibilities. • Supports the organization and correct functioning of relevant PTF meetings, including their development and updating of work plans during implementation phases. • Supports the Director, ESN in discharging his/her financial accountability functions. • Oversees the maintenance and updating of the project tracking system to monitor various stages of project preparation, implementation and reporting supporting early action to address critical situations providing forecasts and trend analysis to support ESN strategy development. • Performs other related duties, as required. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements • Advanced university degree in business or public administration, international relations, development management or related field. • Five years of relevant experience in the field of programme/project management, operations, administration or related area. • Working knowledge of (proficient – level C) English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another official FAO languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies • Results Focus • Team Work • 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. • Extent and relevance of experience in managing and coordinating technical and/or operational programmes, including the 'project cycle'. • Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project formulation, analysis, planning and implementation, project operations (budget transfers, staffing and recruitment, travel, procurement, contracts and LoAs). • Extent of knowledge of planning and budgetary processes and associated tools. • Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset.