Programme Officer (Technical Cooperation Programme)

Organizational Setting The Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE) leads FAO's support to countries in the region in transforming their agrifood systems to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It identifies regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development and ensures the planning and implementation of FAO's strategic response in the region through a multidisciplinary approach. It implements approved programmes and projects, monitors programme implementation, and ensures that they contribute to addressing regional priorities. RNE also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the FAO Strategic Framework and the Programme of Work and Budget. RNE supports regional policy dialogues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports knowledge exchange, capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region. It develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs).

The post is located in the Regional Office for Near East and North Africa (RNE) in Cairo, Egypt.

Reporting Lines The Programme Officer (Technical Cooperation Programme) reports to the Senior Partnerships Officer (Resource Mobilization) and works in close functional contact with the Quality Support, Monitoring and Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) unit of the Project Support Division (PSS) at FAO headquarters.

Technical Focus Full and timely approval and delivery of the TCP regional allocation for demand-driven, strategic and catalytic high quality technical assistance interventions. The incumbent will support implementation and monitoring of the Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) in RNE region in support of maximizing resource mobilization and partnership for implementation of Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs), subregional and regional priority frameworks and the FAO Strategic Framework.

Key Results Research and analysis of information, data and statistics and the maintenance and updating of related tools, methodologies and/or databases to support the delivery of programme products, projects, publications and services.

Key Functions • Reviews and supports requests for information or guidance related to the specific approval criteria, standards and policies governing the TCP. • Monitors the TCP pipeline and effective commitment of the regional TCP allocation and supports the Assistant Director-General/Regional Representative (ADG/RR RNE) in resource allocation decisions. • Supports the preparation and revision of corporate TCP guidelines, policies and procedures. • Coordinates with other units and field offices the follow-up to the requests, in particular the preparation of the project agreements. • Liaises with other units regarding funding possibilities if the request is not eligible for TCP funding, or for complementary and/or follow-up funding to a TCP project. • Assists in the finalization of project agreements and related correspondence, including revisions for approval by the ADG/RR RNE. • Collaborates with technical divisions concerned on the formulation of project agreements, as/when requested. • Assists in monitoring the implementation of TCP projects and the technical support services provided by technical divisions to TCP projects, and participates in or contributes to task force meetings, as appropriate. • Monitors the preparation of terminal statements and contributes to the monitoring of the follow-up to TCP projects. • Monitors the adherence to administrative requirements governing the operation of TCP projects. • Maintains contacts with the various segments of the Organization, including the field level, on matters relating to individual projects.

Specific Functions • Reviews and advises management on eligibility of requests for TCP projects. • Engages in appraisal and operational clearance of project documents, preparation of budgets and project formulation missions, as appropriate; optimizes project task forces and encourages timely provision of inputs, personnel, equipment and supplies for field projects, including preparing initial and regular budget revisions and providing overall administrative and operational support to technical units, country offices and other operational units. • Provides support to the overall field programme ensuring timely, full data and information entry into the Field Programme Management Information System (FPMIS) of operational and pipeline projects. • Prepares delivery estimates for the projects and programmes in the region. • Supports resource mobilization for complementarity and/or follow up funding to TCP projects, including further investment by national governments, or funding from donors and multilateral agencies such as GEF/GCF, or that lead to loans/grants from regional/international development banks and funds. • Performs other duties as required. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements • Advanced university degree in international development, development economics, international law, business. • Five years of relevant experience in international development, donor aid programmes, fundraising, grant negotiations and management. • 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. • Extent and relevance of experience and skills in programme management. • Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project implementation in developing countries. • Extent and relevance of experience of project or programme monitoring. • Ability to write clear analytical reports for management. • Extent and relevance of experience with using Excel and corporate data bases; knowledge of the FAO Field Programme Management Information System (FPMIS) would be an advantage. • Ability to provide guidance and advice with a client-oriented approach. • Ability to comprehend basic technical issues related to various disciplines of interest to FAO.