National Professional Officer (Head of Programme)

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

GENERAL INFORMATION

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

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries allowances and benefits click on the following link: encourages a positive workplace culture to increase inclusivity and diversity within its workforce. FAO applies measures in which all staff members contribute equally and in full to the work and development of the Organization. This includes:
elements of family-friendly policies
flexible working arrangements
standards of conduct

FAOs commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

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 member nations 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 our values. FAO has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and FAO including sexual exploitation and abuse sexual harassment abuse of authority and discrimination.
All selected candidateswill undergo rigorous reference and background checks
All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs 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 productionbetter nutritionabetter environmentanda better life leaving no one behind.

Organizational Setting

FAOs commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

The main aim of the FAO country offices which are headed by a FAO Representative is to assist governments in developing policies programmes and projects to achieve food security and reduce hunger and malnutrition to help develop the agricultural fisheries and forestry sectors and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

The FAO Hainan Programme Cooperation Office (PCO) is established under the auspices of the FAO Representation in China and operate as an integral part of the FAO Representation. It serves as a joint platform for technical cooperation policy dialogue and strategic partnership facilitation between FAO and the Hainan Provincial Government while acting as a key bridge for enhanced cooperation with other leading research institutions based in Hainan and abroad.

The PCO represents a forward-looking partnership linking tropical agriculture innovation southsouth cooperation and agrifood systems transformation translating high-level commitments into concrete partnerships technical cooperation programmes/projects and policy dialogue.

The position is located in the FAO Representation of China with duty station in Beijing China with possible relocation to Sanya Hainan Province as may be decided by the Organization.

Reporting Lines

The National Professional Officer (Head of Programme) reports to the FAO Representative (FAOR).

Technical Focus

Programme development coordination and operational assistance based on the knowledge of the local conditions culture language and institutions of the country of assignment.

Support to programme administration and financial management including accounting and personnel administration.

Key Results

Effective and efficient coordination and provision of technical and operational support of the programme and project activities of the FAO Representation.

Key Functions

Liaises and assists government authorities and local national and international institutions in the areas of FAOs activities in the country and with other UN agencies. He/she may represent FAO at inter-agency meetings as required.
Promotes the image of FAO through advocacy of the Organizations mandate programmes national priorities and activities including development and maintenance of communication tools (such as website press releases and publications) and support to implementation of FAOs regulatory framework (Codex Alimentarius Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries Safe Use of Pesticides etc.) in the country.
Coordinates the collection consolidation and maintenance of country data on food crops livestock forestry and fisheries including information on external aid in FAOs corporate systems and monitors changes in national policies affecting the agricultural sector.
Participates in producing technical economic and policy studies as required and developing country level development frameworks such as the Country Programming Framework (CPF) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).
Participates in the identification formulation and preparation of programme and project proposals and monitors and reviews the status of programme/project implementation to ensure that all operational activities are carried out in line with the work plan and the project document; identifies inconsistencies and delays and when necessary proposes corrective measures to overcome operational constraints.
Briefs trains and supervises junior staff; ensures adherence to procedures and work requirements as well as accuracy and diligence of the work provided.
Performs other duties as required.

Specific Functions

Facilitates programme coordination and partnership activities between FAO Hainan Province central government offices (when requested) and national/international stakeholders ensuring the outputs outcomes impact and overall objectives of the PCO in alignment with FAOs Strategic Framework the Country Programming Framework (CPF) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).
Promotes and advocates the FAO Hainan PCOs mandate and communicates FAOs knowledge resources and expertise to government counterparts and other stakeholders in the fields of tropical agriculture southsouth cooperation and agrifood systems transformation; ensures active government participation in FAO Hainan PCO-led programmes and activities.
Represents FAO in Hainan Province and maintains high-level engagement with provincial authorities research institutions development partners and other UN agencies. He/she may represent FAO at interagency meetings as required.
Leads the development of work plans budgets and progress reports for the FAO Hainan PCO.
Promotes knowledge exchange and capacity development initiatives in collaboration with technical institutions.
Enhances visibility of FAOHainan cooperation through communication documentation and dissemination of good practices.
Advises to better position the programme of the Hainan PCO alongside government entities technical institutions sister UN agencies international financial institutions academia civil societies the private sector and other development partners to establish and strengthen PCO strategic partnerships identify innovative cooperative modalities and mobilize diverse resources for PCO.
Participates in the identification formulation and preparation of programme and project proposals for FAO Hainan PCO; monitors and reviews the status of programme/project implementation to ensure that all operational activities are carried out in line with the work plan and the project document; identifies inconsistencies and delays and when necessary proposes corrective measures to overcome operational constraints.
Ensures compliance with FAO administrative procurement and operational supportive procedures.
Maintains all financial records and monitoring systems and assists with monitoring of various accounts; supervises and/or maintains accounts; ensures that operational expenditures are in accordance with approved budgets and that all committing documents are complete and consistent; and reports variations from budgets.
Assists with the preparation of recurring reports on programme project and office accounts; provides support in the preparation of reports for budget planning audits and other related requests.
Ensures proper Internal Control responsible for Questionnaire Reporting Risk Log Duty Segregation and prepare relevant reports to mitigate managerial programmatic operational and administrative risks.
Ensures compliance with the Organizations security guidelines (Security Risk Management and others).
Supports Gender and Disability Inclusiveness and Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) initiatives/actions.
Performs other related duties to ensure effective programme/project development management implementation and office administration.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

National of China.
Advanced university degree (Masters degree or equivalent) in agriculture agricultural economics forestry fisheries natural resources rural development business or public administration and management international relations or any other field related to the work of the Organization.
Three years of relevant experience in public and/or private sectors related to programming planning and technical cooperation in food and agriculture and/or project implementation in an area of FAOs activities in the country including experience in office management administration accounting and/or audit budget or finance
Working knowledge (proficiency-level C) of Chinese and English.

Competencies

Results Focus
Teamwork
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.
Supervisory experience as the team leader or equivalent.
Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project development and office administration/management.
Demonstrated understanding of the purpose and functions of the technical programme operational guidelines and project/programme management procedures preferably those adopted by the United Nations (UN) or FAO.
Extent and relevance of experience in the field of policy analysis relating to agriculture rural development south-south cooperation and office administration/management including supervisory experience.
Extent and relevance of experience in the collection of country data on food crops livestock forestry and fisheries.
Extent and relevance of experience in the identification formulation and preparation of programme and project proposals as well as programme/project implementation monitoring and review.
Extent of knowledge of UN or standard operational rules and procedures and project/programme administrative/operational management procedures.
Extent of knowledge of FAOs corporate systems and databases or knowledge of other accounting or financial modules or applications relevant to accounting procedures or project budget management would be considered an asset.
Demonstrated analytical and judgment skills and ability to apply rules and regulations in the subject field.