Programme Assistant

CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST – VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT:

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

Staff in the General Service category are recruited locally from the Primary Location area, which is where the office is located.

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO’s values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

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

The Infrastructure and Facilities Management Service (CSLI) within the Logistics Services Division (CSL) is responsible for the maintenance of the headquarters premises and for providing services to FAO employees. CSLI also assists FAO Decentralized Offices in facilities maintenance, technical projects, infrastructure activities and technically innovative systems to reduce their carbon footprint. Furthermore, it promotes the implementation of the Corporate Environmental Responsibility Strategy within headquarters and Decentralized Offices.

The post is located in the Facilities Management Service (CSLI) within the Logistics Services Division at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Main Purpose

The Programme Assistant is responsible for the coordination of specialized and complex processes and activities in support of the delivery of the division’s work programme, planning and budgeting activities. He/she provides procedural guidance to managers and staff in the division.

Supervision Received/Exercised

The Programme Assistant works under the general supervision of one or more professional staff and receives guidance from the Programme Officer. The incumbent operates independently and takes decisions on work priorities. Supervision received is focused on the quality of work output. He/she provides guidance and advice to other programme support staff.

Working Relationships

The Programme Assistant works closely with a wide range of colleagues in the division and with client offices, ensuring the consistency and quality of programme/project support services provided by the division.

Key Functions/Results

• Monitor both Regular Programme and Project budgets, ensuring that funds are properly allocated and reported upon and take corrective action if required; inform management of any budget issues that may require attention.
• Provide support to budget holders in the preparation of the Periodic Budgetary Reports (PBR), the biennial Programme of Work and Budget (PWB) and related work plans for the division as needed.
• Prepare project budget revisions in consultation with budget holders.
• Respond to a variety of routine queries and provide clarifications on programme and project matters; inform management and team members of processes, procedures and timeframes to secure administrative services needed for programme/project execution; initiate correspondence to verify data, obtain additional information on transactions and budgetary matters.
• Review data quality and maintain office records and reference files on various subjects; compile and synthesize data from various sources to support financial analyses on programme/project activities; generate periodic or ad-hoc management reports.
• Coordinate the full array of administrative and financial actions related to staff management, non-staff support, travel, payments and procurement.
• Provide procedural guidance to junior Programme Assistants and other staff in the work unit.
• Review and make recommendations to improve current programme/project administration procedures and processes.
• Perform other functions as required.

Impact Of Work

The incumbent’s work impacts directly on the smooth operations and performance of the division’s programme/project activities. He/she plays a lead role in the provision of programme support services for successful achievement of the organizational unit’s mandate.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

Education: Secondary School Education.
Experience: Four years of relevant experience in the provision of programme/projects support services.
Languages: Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English.
IT Skills: Good knowledge of 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
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical Skills

• Very good knowledge of corporate information systems.
• Very good knowledge of programme and budget processes and procedures.
• Very good knowledge of common administrative and financial rules and regulations.
• Very good knowledge of communication and documentation standards.

Desirable Qualifications And Skills

• Experience in contract management support and preparation of expression of Interest/tender documentation in compliance with the Organization’s procurement rules and procedures.
• Experience in invoice monitoring and processing.
• Good knowledge of corporate cost recovery mechanisms and revenue flows.
• Limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of one of the other working languages of the Organization (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of Italian.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO,

Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

_______________________________________________________________________________________

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/

• The length of the appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to extension of appointments

• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
• 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.
• No international benefits will be payable as selected candidates are recruited locally and paid in the local currency of the office location
• For additional information visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/

REMUNERATION
A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link:
https://onehr.un.org/salary-survey/#/salary_scale

HOW TO APPLY
• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. Once completed, please apply and submit your application, with language certificates as attachments. Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications. FAO reserves the right to request candidates to undertake a language test in the future, as appropriate
• Incomplete applications will not be considered

• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the recruitment portal will be considered

• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT