Programme Associate

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.

Organizational Setting

Through its Country Offices, or FAO Representations, FAO assists governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to address hunger and malnutrition, and provides technical support for the sustainable development of their agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors. The activities of the FAO Country Offices include design and implementation of country-tailored field programmes, liaison with local donor representatives, and active public awareness-raising and outreach activities related to FAO initiatives such as the World Food Day. The position is located in the FAO Representation in Maputo, Mozambique.

Main Purpose

The Programme Associate plays a lead role in the coordination of programme/projects support services for the office. He/she performs a broad range of programme, planning and budgeting activities requiring in-depth analysis and interpretation of relevant policies, procedures and practices. The incumbent provides procedural guidance to managers and staff in the office or location.

Supervision Received/Exercised

• The Programme Associate reports to the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme). He/she works with wide latitude for independent action and gives guidance and advice to clerical and/or junior programme support staff. He/she works collaboratively with various Project Management Units operating under the Country Office and also with the administrative staff of the Country Office. Work is performed autonomously, showing a high degree of initiative and independent judgment. Supervision received is focused on facilitating service delivery. The incumbent provides guidance and training to programme support staff in the office.

Working Relationships

• The Programme Associate maintains a wide range of contacts with managers, staff and stakeholders inside and outside the office. The incumbent collaborates closely with colleagues in other offices and the corporate services, ensuring the quality and consistency of programme/projects support services.

Key Functions/Results

• Coordinate the preparation, submission, revision and follow-up of the Programme of Work and Budget (PWB), as well as the monitoring and provision of information on the implementation of the PWB.
• Coordinate, review and analyze the Periodic Budgetary Reports for final submission to the Office of Strategy, Programme and Budget (OSP).
• Assemble and synthesize data from corporate and office data bases to facilitate the analysis of programmes, projects or activities, and to draft periodic or ad hoc management reports.
• Monitor projects and ensure the maintenance and retrieval of programming reference material, documentation, data and information.
• Consolidate and monitor various reports on human resources planning and expenditures, the use of non-staff resources, communication and publishing plans, IT plans and travel schedules.
• Screen incoming correspondence to identify issues requiring further attention and draft related correspondence.
• Support knowledge building and knowledge sharing across the department through training of staff and briefing of budget holders on administrative/budgetary/planning/programming/financial procedures and processes.
• Review current processes and make recommendations to improve programme/projects administration procedures.
• Perform other functions as required.

Impact Of Work

• The incumbent’s work impacts directly on the smooth and efficient operations of the programme/project activities of the office. He/she plays a lead role in the coordination and provision of the programme support services for the successful achievement of the office’s mandate. He/she plays a pro-active role in the successful achievement of the office’s mandate.

Minimum Requirements

• Education: Secondary School Education.
• Experience: Five years of experience in administrative/financial/planning/programming/budgeting activities.
• Languages: Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another official language of the Organization (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
• IT Skills: Good knowledge of the MS Office applications, Internet and office technology equipment.
• Residency: General Service Staff are recruited locally. To be eligible for this position, candidates must be nationals of the country of the duty station or possess an existing visa/work permit, and reside within commuting distance of the duty station at the time of the application. “Commuting distance” means the distance within which staff members can travel daily between their place of work and their residence.

Competencies

•  Results Focus.
•  Team Work.
•  Communication.
•  Building effective relationships.
•  Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement.

Technical Skills

•  Extent of trainings in project management support and programme operations support.
•  Knowledge of the communication and documentation management standards.
•  Knowledge of administrative procedures and policies.
•  Knowledge of organizational structure.

Desirable Qualifications and Skills

•  Familiarity with FAO and/or UN field programme management procedures and guidelines is an asset.
•  Extent of knowledge of corporate information systems such as Oracle, COIN (Country Office Information System) and FPMIS (Field Programme Management Information System).