Programme Assistant (Mainstream Project)

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 withlanguage 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 FAOs 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 FAOs client support team for further assistance: IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT

FAO staff are expectedto adhereto FAO Values of Commitment to FAO

Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

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

The Office of Innovation (OIN) is an important instrument within FAO to provide strategic direction and help drive and coordinate innovation across the work of the Organization i.e. to consolidate and strengthen FAOs innovative spirit including the innovation of approaches and cooperation models. OIN supports the Programme Priority Areas ensuring that FAO mainstreams innovation in its programmes facilitates cross-collaboration between the various FAO units and aids in forging and reinforcing transformative partnerships.

In particular the Programme Assistant (Mainstream Project) works for the EU-funded MAINSTREAM project GCP/GLO/1349/EC.
MAINSTREAM is a 5-year project with a budget of EURand is managed by the FAO Office of Innovation (OIN) in close collaboration with the FAO Regional Office for Africa (RAF) and relevant subregional and country offices.

The Programme Assistant of the project GCP/GLO/1349/EC is located in the Office of Innovation (OIN) at FAO headquarters in Rome Italy.

Main Purpose

The Programme Assistant (Mainstream Project) is responsible for the coordination of specialized and complex processes and activities in support of the delivery of the MAINSTREAM project programme planning and budgeting activities. He/she provides procedural guidance to managers and staff in the project team.

Supervision Received/Exercised

The Programme Assistant (Mainstream Project) works under the direct supervision of the Innovation Officer (Policies Systems and Foresight) and the Agricultural Innovation System Specialist respectively acting as Lead Technical Officer and Project Coordinator of the MAINSTREAM project and receives guidance from the Programme Associate of the Office of Innovation.
The incumbent operates independently in routine matters and takes decisions on work priorities. Supervision received is focused on the quality of work outputs and provides for on - the - job learning.

Working Relationships

The Programme Assistant (Mainstream Project) works closely with a wide range of colleagues across the Organization ensuring the consistency and quality of project support services.
The Programme Assistant (Mainstream Project) works closely with MAINSTREAM project teams in FAO Headquarters in FAO country offices and in FAO sub-regional offices.

Key Functions/Results

Monitor MAINSTREAM Project budget 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 MAINSTREAM budget holder and project coordinator in the preparation of project monitoring and accountability reports and related work plans.
Prepare project budget revisions in consultation with budget holder project coordinator and lead technical officer.
Respond to a variety of routine queries and provide clarifications on project matters; inform management and team members of processes procedures and timeframes to secure administrative services needed for project execution; initiate correspondence to verify data obtain additional information on transactions and budgetary matters.
Support the initiation administration and monitoring of Letters of Agreement throughout the project implementation phase. Review data quality and maintain project records and reference files on various subjects; compile and synthesize data from various sources to support financial analyses on 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.
Support dissemination of project outputs knowledge products and communication materials via digital and other media platforms. Provide procedural guidance to other staff in the project team.
Review and make recommendations to improve current project administration procedures and processes.
Coordinate the full array of administrative and financial actions related to staff management non-staff support travel payments and procurement.
Perform other functions as required.

Impact Of Work

The incumbents work impacts directly on the smooth operations and performance of the MAINSTREAM project activities. He/she plays a lead role in the provision of project support services for successful achievement of the MAINSTREAM project.

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 (proficiency - level C) of English.
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
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

Working knowledge ((proficiency - level C) of French
Extent of knowledge and expertise in Field Programme management systems and procedures.
Extent of experience with project budgets in particular for EU-funded projects
Ability to support multiple project partners.

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 FAOs 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.

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

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.

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 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 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: competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries allowances and benefits click on the following link:
Experience:

Junior IC