Programme Assistant (Support To Rotterdam Convention)

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

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:
staff are expectedto adhereto FAO Values of Commitment to FAO

Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

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.

Organizational Setting

FAOs commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.
The Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP) enables the transition to MORE efficient inclusive resilient and sustainable plant production and protection through optimization and minimization. This requires the integration and harmonization of all appropriate crop production policies and practices to increase production in a sustainable manner in order to eradicate hunger while preserving the natural resources and environment for future use.

The post is located at FAO headquarters in Rome Italy within the Secretariat of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade (NSPRD) which operates as one of the six teams in NSP. The Team provides technical advice and guidance to Parties of the Rotterdam Convention in support of its implementation and services the meetings of the Conference of Parties and associated subsidiary bodies.
The Secretariat of the Rotterdam Convention is provided jointly with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Geneva and works in synergy with the Basel and Stockholm Convention Secretariat. The incumbent works in close cooperation with staff in Geneva FAO headquarters and Decentralized Offices.

Main Purpose

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

Supervision Received/Exercised

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

Working Relationships

The Programme Assistant works closely with a wide range of colleagues across the Organization ensuring the consistency and quality of programme/project support services provided by the Office.

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

Experience in the organization of high level and subsidiary body meetings
Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of Spanish
Good knowledge of the project lifecycle.