Programme Officer (FAOR Network)

Organizational Setting 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 the Divisions, Offices and Centres 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 UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and regional intergovernmental organizations. 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 FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) in Bangkok, Thailand.

Reporting Lines The Programme Officer (FAOR Network) reports to the Assistant Director-General/Regional Representative (ADG/RR) of RAP, with policy guidance from the Office of the concerned Deputy Director-General (DDG) on the FAOR Network and technical guidance from the Office of Strategy, Programme and Budget (OSP) on programme and budget issues, and maintains regular contacts with other relevant units at FAO headquarters.

Technical Focus The incumbent performs capacity building, planning, programming and operational/liaison functions related to the management of the FAOR Network in the Asia and Pacific region. The incumbent ensures synergy and coordination among Decentralized Offices, across regions and between these and relevant headquarters units.

Key Results Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support the planning, implementation and monitoring of corporate programmes and projects at regional level and globally in coordination with other Regional Offices.

Key Functions • Monitors and analyses issues and trends within the region under his/her responsibility; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and initiates corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; and 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; and identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions; • Organizes and finalizes written outputs, e.g. background papers, analyses, sections of reports and studies, and inputs to publications; • Provides substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences, to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations; • Initiates and coordinates outreach and communication-related activities; reviews and contributes to the development of learning materials; conducts training workshops and seminars; and makes presentations on assigned topics/activities; • Leads and/or participates in field missions, including provision of guidance to Subregional and Country Offices and other parties, and prepares mission summaries.

Specific Functions • Assists the ADG/RR in monitoring performance of the FAO Representatives (FAORs) and management of Decentralized Offices in the region, provides day-to-day guidance and support for the smooth operations of the Country Offices as necessary; • Acts on behalf of the Budget Holder for the FAOR Network resources in the Region, leads the preparation of biennial Programme of Work and Budget (PWB) for the FAOR Network in consultation with the office of the concerned DDG, OSP and other headquarters units; • Reviews, consolidates and analyses annual budget allotments for FAO Country Offices and prepares Periodic Budgetary Reports (PBRs), taking into consideration of Indirect Support Costs (ISC) and Government Counterpart Cash Contribution (GCCC), and advises the ADG/RR on resources allocation; • Advises FAORs on their strategic management of the programme, operation and Country Offices, as well as staffing and financial and physical resources: premises, vehicles and other assets; • Guides and assists FAORs in negotiation of renewed Host Country Agreement (HCA) for premises changes, cash contributions, staff and other in-kind contributions, as well as for programme needs; • Leads or supports the development and implementation of capacity-building initiatives in support of Decentralized Offices, in close coordination with other units (e.g. Administration, Finance, Field Programme) at headquarters, Regional, and Subregional Offices; • Reviews requests/proposals related to field administration and management made by FAORs and recommends appropriate action/decision for the consideration and approval of the ADG/RR; • Provides inputs and contributes to HR planning and review of the Country Office network (grading structure, staffing patterns, job descriptions) including the selection for Assistant FAORs, in consultation with CSH; • Maintains oversight and monitors functions of the Country Offices in the region through regular working contacts and periodic country visits as necessary; • Leads or supports the preparation of FAO Representations Regional Synthesis Report and Country Annual Reports and ensures the quality control and update of FAO Representations information in the “Country Office Information Network” (COIN); • In consultation with headquarters, prepares and/or edits policy statements, official bulletins, guidelines and instructions to FAORs in support of the effective discharge of their functions; ensures that this material is regularly updated and raises issues requiring clarifications with technical and administrative divisions; • Performs other duties as required. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements • Advanced university degree in political sciences, business administration, social sciences or an area related to the activities of the Organization, i.e. agriculture, forestry, fishery, economics, or closely related field. • Seven years of relevant experience in programming/planning work or administering development programmes at national or international level. • Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, French, Chinese, 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 related to coordination, decentralization, reform and programme matters. • Relevance and extent of experience in working with inter-governmental bodies and multi-disciplinary teams. • Extent of understanding of the functioning of the United Nations system and in particular of FAO's structure, policies and procedures related to decentralized activities; • Knowledge of and experience in the application of operational guidelines and programme/project management procedures, preferably those adopted by United Nations system organizations. • Extent and relevance of experience in organizing international meetings, seminars and training events. • Extent of experience in the region, including knowledge of its political, cultural aspects and development priorities. • Extent of experience in and ability to negotiate and cooperate with senior officials and leaders in national governments, intergovernmental organizations and other institutions and in designing collaborative networks and joint programmes. • Experience with budgeting and reporting of budget information. • Experience in managing teams, inspiring and mentoring staff, facilitating their capacity development, and resolving conflicts.