Project Officer

Overview

Lead field program management and partnerships for regional projects.

You have:

• Advanced university degree in public or business administration, finance, accounting, economics, social sciences or other fields related to the FAO mandate
• Five years of relevant experience in project management and operational support
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English
• Limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of one of the other official FAO languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish)

Organizational Setting The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind. 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 divisions and offices 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 Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs). 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 RAP's Partnerships and Field Programme Service. Within RAP, the Partnerships and Field Programme Service is responsible for the implementation of the field programme in the region. This includes: strategic guidance and monitoring of resource mobilization and partnerships, direct management of regional projects, guidance to Country Offices to monitor and support implementation of national projects, management of the Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) for the region, project cycle oversight of Global Environment Facility and Green Climate Fund projects, emergency operations and ECHO-funded and projects and programmes.

Reporting Lines The Project Officer reports to the Senior Field Programme Officer.

Technical Focus Field programme management as delegated Budget Holder, operational backstopping and oversight including emergency, rehabilitation and development projects, for national and regional level projects.

Key Results Research, technical analysis, and project related services to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services.

Key Functions • Researches and analyses technical-related issues on the development, the implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects; assists to the review of relevant documents and reports; • Produces a variety of technical information, data, statistics and documents as well as technical input for reports and web pages; • Provides technical support/analysis to various assessments, studies and projects and provides technical backstopping to field projects; • Collaborates in the development of improved/updated tools, systems, processes, and databases; • Oversees the updating of databases and web pages; • Participates in multidisciplinary teams, and/or leads working groups/teams collaborates with other divisions and agencies on work groups and committees and promotes best practices; • Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development activities within countries of Members such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials, on-line tools; • Promotes knowledge sharing and best practices at international meetings and conferences and influences partners in stakeholder consultations; • Performs other duties as required.

Specific Functions • Manages day-to-day operations on matters relating to the implementation of assigned RAP regional projects, including emergency, rehabilitation and development project operations; • Organizes project task force meetings and ensures the secretariat of such meetings; • Ensures the preparation of project work plans monitors progress and, where necessary, identifies corrective measures to overcome operational constraints; • Reviews and monitors project budget and resources management, and prepares requests and revisions as required; maintains and alerts about budget expenditures and resources; reviews project transaction listings with a view to identifying errors in accounting against budget lines; • Ensures the complete and quality of data and documentation in the FAO corporate systems (GRMS, FPMIS, etc.) for all assigned operational field projects/activities; • Ensures compliance with the project cycle management from the design and formulation of project proposals through to project closure, ensuring quality assurance under different funding arrangements; • Acts as surge capacity in crisis contexts in support of in-country capacities; • Provides guidance and support on operational matters to Country Offices, including training of RAP and Country Office staff, to ensure the necessary operational capacity for the implementation of the FAO field programme is maintained; • Performs other related duties as required.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________ CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements • Advanced university degree in public or business administration, finance, accounting, economics, social sciences or other fields related to the FAO mandate; • Five years of relevant experience in project management and operational support; • Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English, and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of one of the other official FAO languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish

Competencies • Results Focus • Team Work • 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 supporting, advising and/or managing the formulation and implementation of complex, multistakeholder projects and programmes, including experience in applying due-diligence and quality assurance; • Demonstrated ability to develop plans for the implementation and coordination of projects in developing countries, in partnership with UN agencies and other concerned actors; • Familiarity with UN administrative, operational and financial procedures is an asset; • Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset.

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 4 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: fao.org