Programme Support Specialist

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• 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 person 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

Organizational Setting

The Southwest Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC) is an Article VI Statutory Body under the Constitution of the FAO. It is a Regional Fishery Body with objective to promote the sustainable utilization of the living marine resources of the SWIO region and to address common problems of fisheries faced by its members.
The FAO sub-regional office for Southern Africa (SFS) in Harare, coordinates the support given to the SWIOFC by several initiatives and programmes, through its staff and expertise. FAO Mozambique also provides necessary logistical and administrative support.
One of the projects supporting the SWIOFC since 2019 is a joint FAO and Nairobi Convention (NC) initiative. The SWIOFC-NC partnership supports and fosters collaboration between fisheries and environment sectors in the region and includes activities with regional as well as national implementation, in three countries of the region. The second phase of the SWIOFC-NC PP started in January 2023 and has an expected duration of 5 years.
A recently approved World Bank (WB) funded programme entitled “TRANSFORM Fisheries Sector Management in South-West Indian Ocean Region and Maldives Project” includes a regional component in benefit of the SWIOFC, which is coordinated and implemented by the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC). This component aims to enhance evidence-based management advice to the fisheries sector in the SWIO and to reinforce regional collaboration. FAO, through a Technical Assistance (TA) agreement signed with IOC will provide scientific and technical support to its implementation for the full duration of the project (UTF/IOC/002/IOC).
Under the FAO umbrella, other initiatives support the programme of work of the SWIOFC through provision of direct technical and financial support to meetings, and by providing or facilitating capacity development activities. This is the case of the FAO EAF-Nansen for which the SWIOFC serves as a steering committee. Additionally, the SWIOFC, through its Secretariat, engages with other regional organizations and initiatives related to fisheries management such as IOTC, SIOFA, etc.
The Secretariat of the SWIOFC, based in Maputo, Mozambique, has the responsibility to support the development and implementation of the SWIOFC programme, and to report to members on the work performed and objectives achieved. It is coordinated by the Executive Secretary of the SWIOFC, who is supported by a Programme Officer, Administrative Assistant, and a Visibility Officer.

Reporting Lines

Under the direct supervision of the Secretary of the SWIOFC and in close collaboration with the FAO Sub-regional office in Harare, SFS and FAO Mozambique.

Technical Focus

• Smooth functioning of projects’ operations, consistent service delivery and continuous evaluation and readjustment/improvement of the operational environment to reflect the Office’s evolving needs.
• Effective and efficient delivery of the programme and project activities of the Office.

Tasks and responsibilities

General tasks

• Participate in the development, implementation, and evaluation of assigned SWIOFC programmes/projects, etc.
• Reviewsrelevant documents and reports; identify problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaise with relevant parties; identifies and tracks follow-up actions.
• Prepare various written outputs, e.g. drafts background papers, analyses, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.
• Coordinate activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related revisions/documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).
• Provide training on FAO project cycle, administrative and operational procedures and related corporate tools.
• Coordinate operational and administrative support to ongoing projects.
• Coordinate actions related to timely field project completion/closure, including identification of project follow-up requirements.
• Establish and maintain partnership with HQ units related to donor liaison, finance, procurement, legal matters, partnerships, and technical specialties as and when required.
• Liaise with other FAO offices and UN Organizations, as well as relevant authorities and partners to obtain/exchange information and ensure coordination for FAO interventions.

Specific tasks

• Ensure the sound operational and financial management of programme activities and provide oversight guidance to the operational support function at the programme level (procurement actions, coordination of human resource planning and management, compliance with financial and administrative regulations);
• Coordinate the implementation of administrative actions related to the implementation of the SWIOFC projects/programme, including the coordination of actions undertaken by administrative/operational staff, with a particular emphasis on harmonization of practices and capacity development;
• Support planning and implementation of selected programme activities in line with SWIOFC objectives in compliance with FAO and Donor rules and regulations;
• Support the planning of financial transactions, management of budget allocations, and liaising closely with all relevant internal and external stakeholders, ensuring compliance with FAO corporate policies as well as donor requirements and regulations;
• Support the sound management of any other trust fund contributions to the SWIOFC, including support to drafting project proposals, project appraisal, opening, amendment and closure in line with FAO processes, rules and regulations.
• Provide training on the FAO’s Project Cycle Management and ensure that guidelines are applied in all phases of project management.
• Provide training on the use of the Field Programme Management Information System (FPMIS) for all pipeline and operational field projects.
• Support the SWIOFC Secretariat with the preparation of meetings and other events and provides secretarial support where needed.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in a field related to business or public administration, economics, accounting and finance, development studies or similar.
• At least five years of relevant experience in public and/or private sectors in project formulation, implementation, management and technical cooperation in the sector of food and agriculture.
• Working knowledge (level C) in English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of work experience in programme/project formulation, implementation and management.
• Extent and relevance of experience in budgetary planning, budget management and financial reporting.
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly Regional Fisheries Bodies or fish related organisations.
• Demonstrated understanding of the purpose and functions of technical programmes, operational guidelines, and programme/project management procedures, preferably those adopted by the United Nations or FAO.
• Knowledge of international development architecture including the UNS system, NGOs, resource partners.
• Capacity to work and establish working relationships with government and non-government representatives.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team and under pressure.
• Ability to travel.

Selection Criteria

• Relevant experience in fisheries projects is desirable.
• Working or limited knowledge of French is an advantage.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• 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 FAO 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

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