Programme Officer (HR Budget And Programme Monitoring)
Support HR budget planning and programme monitoring for effective organizational performance.
Overview
Support HR budget planning and programme monitoring for effective organizational performance.
You have:
- Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in business administration, budget or a related field.
- Three years of relevant experience in budget preparation, analysis and monitoring supporting large programme management activities.
- Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
Organizational Setting
FAO's Human Resources Division (CSH) provides human resources (HR) strategies, policies, guidance and oversight to FAO Offices worldwide to ensure that the Organization attracts, develops and retains a diverse, skilled and highly motivated workforce, delivering on the mandate of the Organization. The HR function has recently undergone a transformation towards a proactive strategic business partner, which aims to mobilize and align the capacity of its workforce with the corporate strategy whilst pursuing a people-centered approach, to position FAO effectively to address the increasingly complex challenges faced in promoting sustainable food security and achieve its mandate.
The position is located in the Human Resources Division (CSH) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.
Reporting Lines
The Programme Officer (HR Budget and Programme Monitoring) report to the Director, Human Resources.
Technical Focus HR Budget planning, programme monitoring, and analysis; administration of extra-budgetary resources; audit support and follow-up; HR strategy implementation and performance monitoring; and support for business continuity planning, including oversight of time-critical and essential HR processes to ensure effective programme delivery and resource management.
Key Results
Accurate, compliant, and timely budget planning, implementation, and reporting, coupled with effective monitoring of resource utilization and HR service delivery, ensuring stronger programme effectiveness and organizational performance.
Key Functions
- Support the preparation and revision of the medium-term plan and related budget proposals (staff and non-staff), ensuring alignment with FAO Governing Bodies' recommendations and in collaboration with the Office of Strategy, Programme and Budget (OSP).
- Review and analyze quarterly Periodic Budgetary Reports (PBRs), preparing forecasts and narratives to identify expenditure trends, address risks early, and keep work planning aligned with FAO's strategic goals.
- Monitor overall budget implementation and resource utilization, prepare budget performance reports and submissions, and recommend reallocations or adjustments as necessary.
- Contribute to the review, update, and monitoring of the HR Strategy and Action Plan, tracking progress against key performance indicators (KPIs), outcomes, and outputs for submission to the Governing Bodies.
- Support the identification, assessment, and monitoring of risks at divisional and unit levels, using the online Risk Log to define mitigating actions, assign ownership, and ensure timely follow-up in consultation with the Office of Strategy, Programme and Budget (OSP), thereby strengthening planning, accountability, and results-based monitoring.
- Ensure that strategic goals and outcomes are mutually reinforcing, strengthening the overall competency, effectiveness, and service delivery of the HR function and the Organization as a whole.
- Coordinate divisional inputs for internal and external committees and corporate compliance reporting and support responses to audit requests by monitoring the implementation of recommendations and ensuring timely and effective follow-up.
- Support the development and monitoring of the Business Continuity Plan, including oversight of Minimum Recovery Requirements for time-critical and essential HR processes.
- Prepare documents, reports, and internal guidelines on programme budgets and HR planning; collect and analyze data, visualize trends (charts, tables, dashboards), and provide evidence-based insights to support planning, decision-making, and reporting.
- Perform other related duties as required.
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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
- Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in business administration, budget or a related field.
- Three years of relevant experience in budget preparation, analysis and monitoring supporting large programme management activities.
- Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - 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, is desirable.
- Extent and relevance of experience in the preparation, analysis, and finalization of cost estimates, budget proposals, and performance reports, including monitoring expenditures and reallocating funds.
- Demonstrated ability to support and coordinate responses to internal and external audit requests, monitor the implementation of audit recommendations, and ensure timely follow-up.
- Expertise in reviewing and monitoring HR strategies and action plans, with a focus on tracking KPIs, outcomes, and outputs, and preparing reports for Governing Bodies is desirable.
- Proficiency in preparing documents, reports, and internal guidelines, ensuring compliance with corporate policies and procedures.
- Familiarity with corporate ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems (Oracle), budget monitoring tools, and HR management platforms, with strong ability to adapt to new technologies and digital reporting solutions.
Potential interview questions
| Can you describe a time when you contributed to the successful preparation of a budget proposal? | This question evaluates your experience and approach to budgeting. | Discuss a specific example that highlights your role and the outcome. |
| How do you identify and assess risks when managing budgets? | Interviewers want to understand your risk management skills. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Can you give an example of how you managed a significant workload or multiple deadlines in your previous roles? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe a time when you had to analyze budget performance reports. What were the challenges and how did you resolve them? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you ensure compliance with corporate policies in budget management? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Can you tell us how you have contributed to HR strategy implementation in previous positions? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What experience do you have with audit processes, and how did you handle follow-ups? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you collaborate with other departments to meet budget and program objectives? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |