Programme Support Specialist

Organizational Setting

FAO’s work in West Bank and Gaza Strip is guided by the Country Programming Framework (CPF) for Palestine in 2018-2022. The CPF promotes to the well-being of Palestinian people contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. It focuses on sustainable management of natural resources and development of agrifood value chains, protection and inclusion of vulnerable groups and improved nutrition, quality and safety of food consumption. To this effect, the CPF adopts a resilience approach to bridge humanitarian and development interventions, recognizing the centrality of market led development and its dependence on the enabling environment put in place by the public sector to promote food security.

Reporting Lines

Under the general supervision of FAO Head of Office, the direct supervision of FAO Head of Programme, and in close collaboration with the Operations Officer and other relevant personnel as appropriate.

Technical Focus.

• Support effective and efficient delivery of the programme and project activities of the Office at country level
• Support programme development.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Assist in the collection, consolidating and drafting of information materials and reports to serve efficient implementation of FAO’s projects and also the formulation of new project concepts and documents, this includes drafting programme-specific information materials in close consultation with related technical and operational team members and partners. .
• Under the guidance of the Head of Programme, participate and assist in the preparation for internal and external programmatic meetings and sectoral or inter-sectoral coordination workshops, write up and maintain the minutes and reports, and provide day-to-day follow up of the implementation of the recommendation of the programme related meetings, within the given deadlines;
• Perform day-today follow up with the projects’ implementation team, in order to ensure that output level achievements and impact of the different types of FAO’s interventions and field activities are properly and timely documented.
• Draft and/or review the quality of projects’ and programmatic reports and formal/informal communication materials.
• Assist in the quality assurance of projects’ reports as well as reports submitted by service providers and contractors and ensure compliance with contractual obligations.
• Ensure and maintain proper filing and tracking of the programme related documents using country level and corporate online systems in close liaison with relevant units (project documents, LoA’s, MoUs, official letters...etc);
• As required, and in consultation with the projects’ implementation team, food security unit and communication and reporting officer, provide assistance in the development and formulation of quality information materials related to FAO programme in the WBGS, this includes thematic brochures, reports, regular newsletters, consolidation of technical papers, press statements… etc;
• As instructed by the Head of Programme, liaise with the projects’ implementation team and conduct field visits as needed in order to document programmatic issues, best practices and lessons learnt;
• Support the formulation of concept notes and project documents for new projects in alignment with the FAO WBGS country programming framework.
• As requested, perform any other duty related to programme implementation, coordination and development.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in developmental studies, international relations, social studies, agriculture, or related fields.
• At least one year of professional experience in the implementation of emergency and development projects, preferably in the sectors of agricultural and rural development, with focus on programme support. Working experience with UN agencies/International organizations is desirable.
• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of one of the other FAO languages (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian) for Consultants. Working knowledge of English for PSAs. Knowledge of Arabic is an advantage.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Selection Criteria

• Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project formulation, implementation and management.
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable.
• Knowledge of international humanitarian architecture including the UN System, NGOs etc. is desirable and understanding of FAO policies and programmes is an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team, and interpersonal and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and prioritize tasks.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (Oracle, MS Word, Excel, etc)
• Ability to travel across the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
• Extent of familiarity with the geographical region.