Programme Officer (Technical Cooperation Programme - TCP)

Organizational Setting The Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) 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 oversees the network of Country Offices and the Subregional Office for Central Asia. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region and, in collaboration with offices and divisions at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities. REU advises the Country Offices in the region on corporate priorities defined through the Strategic Framework and on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization's Programme of Work and Budget. REU formulates programmes, implements approved programmes, monitors the level of programme implementation in the region and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. REU develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs).

The position is located in the Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) in Budapest, Hungary.

Reporting Lines The Programme Officer (Technical Cooperation Programme - TCP) reports to the Senior Field Programme Officer, REU.

Technical Focus Management of the Technical Cooperation Progrramme (TCP) resources, support to resource mobilization efforts; capacity development support to budget holders/project formulators throughout the region; project cycle management and reporting on results.

Key Results Comprehensive technical, statistical, analytical and/or policy analysis services and the development of specialized tools, methodologies, systems and/or databases to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of the programme of work and related products, projects, publications and services.

Key Functions • Acts as focal point for requests from Decentralized Offices for information or guidance related to the specific approval criteria, standards and policies governing the TCP; • Monitors the effective commitment of the regional allocation, alerts the Assistant Director-General/Regional Representative (ADG/RR) to any risks of over- or under-commitment or of unbalanced allocations between countries or subregions or between national projects and (sub)regional projects, and proposes corrective measures and possible methodologies for managing the allocation, as required; • Manages and monitors the TCP pipeline for the countries of the region; • Prepares regular and ad hoc reports on the commitment of the regional TCP allocation and on any problems encountered; • Keeps FAO Representatives and Subregional Coordinators regularly informed of the state of country and subregional pipelines and of the possibilities for further TCP funding; • Receives requests for TCP assistance from FAO Representatives, Subregional Coordinators and the Regional Office, analyses the number of approved projects and the state of the pipeline to ascertain the possibility for accommodating the request and informs the concerned office of any problems in this regard; • Analyses and processes requests for budget revisions; • Oversees the information management related to the TCP and, in particular, supervises and guides the staff responsible for entry of TCP data into the Field Programme Management Information System (FPMIS); • Contributes to the corporate monitoring of the effective implementation of TCP projects, with particular focus on the respect for the TCP standards and policies and on the achievement of stated results, and prepares regular and ad hoc reports; • Contributes to the preparation and revision of TCP guidelines, policies and procedures; • Acts as Secretary for the regional TCP Peer Review Committee; • As requested by the ADG/RR, participates in and provides support to the process of prioritization and formulation of regional projects or other TCP projects being formulated at the level of the Regional Office.

Specific Functions • Manages the regional TCP resources in an efficient and effective manner as per the above key functions; • Ensures that all TCP proposals adhere to the TCP criteria, including their strategic use and contribution to regional priorities; • Advises TCP formulators facilitating strong catalytic effects and potential for upscaling; • Leads the TCP outreach activities to showcase the TCP results as a tool for Resource Mobilization; • Contributes to development and implementation of resource mobilization strategies, taking into consideration the catalytic effects of TCPs; • Promotes strategic partnerships with relevant and potential resource partners and contributes to exploring funding opportunities as follow-up to the TCP results, including supporting the negotiations of funding agreements and project proposals with resource partners and governments; • Facilitates capacity development efforts in support of staff in all locations with regard to TCPs, Resource Mobilization and South-South Cooperation partnerships; • Leads the Resource Mobilization efforts in the region and advises both country and regional formulators; • Establishes and maintains a resource partner intelligence and prepares regular reports shared in the region; • Collaborates closely with the Resource Mobilization and Private Sector Partnerships Division (PSR) in resource mobilization efforts, with the Project Support Services Division (PSS) in TCP corporate operational or policy related matters, and other relevant headquarters divisions and offices.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________ CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements • Advanced university degree in economics, business administration, international relations, management, social sciences or other fields related to the mandate of the Organization. • Seven years of relevant experience in one or more of the following: formulation, appraisal, implementation, monitoring/reporting of field projects and/or resources mobilization. • 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; • Experience in Europe and Central Asia region would be an asset. • Extent and relevance of experience and skills in programme/project identification, formulation and implementation in the region; • Extent of experience in project or programme monitoring and reporting; • Ability to write clear and concise analytical reports for management; • Extent and relevance of experience with using Excel and corporate databases; • Knowledge of the FAO Field Programme Management Information System would be an asset; • Demonstrated ability to provide guidance and advice with a client oriented approach; • Demonstrated ability to collaborate with resource partners and mobilize resources; • Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of Russian would be an asset.