Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation into more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

The Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) is responsible for leading FAO's response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO's priority activities in the region. It oversees the network of Country Offices and the Subregional Office for the Pacific Islands (SAP). It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region, and, in collaboration with Divisions, Offices and Centres at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities and the implementation of the Organization's strategies through programmes and projects across the region.

The Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific supports the formulation and implementation of the Country Programmes and Projects, including Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs), and their contribution to the FAO Strategic Framework and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) at the country level, advising Decentralized Offices on corporate priorities such as the Strategic Framework and on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization's Programme of Work and Budget.

The Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific leads, formulates, implements, monitors and reports on the Organization's programmes and budget in the region and draws management attention to problems, deficiencies and risks. The RAP Office also leads the preparation of the Regional Conferences and the Statutory Bodies in the region.

The Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions, including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs), and participates in the United Nations Regional Architecture, such as UN Regional Forums on Sustainable Development and UN Regional Collaborative Platforms and related mechanisms. Correspondingly, the RAP Office an improved, integrated and collaborative business model to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, consistency, innovation, agility and responsiveness in logistical, operational, financial and other support services at all levels to accelerate the achievement of the Organization's programme in the region and ensure compliance with the Internal Control Framework.

Within RAP, the Country Support and Field Programme Service (CFP) is responsible for strategic guidance and monitoring of resource mobilization and partnerships, direct management of regional projects, guidance to country offices to monitor and support implementation of country field programmes, management of the regional Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP), project cycle oversight of Global Environment Facility (GEF), Green Climate Fund (GCF) and extra-budgetary trust funded project that supports emergency programmes, and ad hoc country requests.

In addition to CFP’s delegated Budget Holder (BH) functions for regional projects, CFP also supports ADG/RR in overall oversight and management of the field programme within Asia-Pacific region. Special attention is given to large and complex projects under specific funding modalities (EU, GEF and GCF) and countries with large portfolios due to economic, political or natural hazard induced crisis.

The position is located in the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) in Bangkok, Thailand, or other locations in the region.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will report to the RAP Senior Field Programme Officer (SFPO) or a designated Budget Holder (BH) and work in close collaboration with CFP Budget Holders, Regional Technical Officers and Country Offices.

Technical Focus

Support the SFPO on the regional programme portfolio management through directly assisting the BH in operational and financial matters that contribute to the group’s management, oversight and backstopping responsibilities.

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the SFPO and in close coordination with the RAP technical officers and country teams, the incumbent will be responsible for day-to-day matters concerning coordination, operations, monitoring, financial management, project cycle requirements of projects and programmes implemented in the region. The incumbent will also provide country operational back-stopping support to selected countries and assist in monitoring the field programme activities. In particular, the incumbent will:
•     Assist the SFPO in the overall monitoring of the Asia-Pacific trust fund field programme and provide guidance and support to respective teams and/or Country Offices to overcome bottlenecks in project delivery;
•     Assist the SFPO to ensure timely operational clearance reviews of incoming project proposals and FPSN monitoring;
•     Contribute to Quality Assurance review for regional office project funded Letters of Agreement (LOAs);  
•     Assist project and programmes through the different steps of the project cycle using FAO tools (iMIS, FPMIS, FPSN, GRMS), and provide timely and regular operation guidance to various BHs and project teams;
•     Support CFP BHs in the overall management of their projects including (1) budget and financial - reviewing and monitoring the budget, preparing budget revisions, reviewing project transaction listings, identifying erroneous charges and errors in accounting against budget lines, providing information on budget expenditures and resources, preparation of Call for Funds and of non-standard financial reports to resource partners; and (2) coordinating contractual arrangements (mostly Operational Partners Agreement and/or Letter of Agreement) with external partners and assist with internal coordination within FAO;
•     Act a Project Manager for assigned regional projects and ensure the provision of inputs, personnel, equipment and supplies to implement project activities as per work plans, logical frameworks and budgets.
•     Identify operational capacity needs and gaps (planning, reporting, budget, general project cycle and FAO internal rules and procedures) among RAP/CO/project personnel, and support the development of training and guidance materials;
•     Provide other related operational support as assigned.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     For Consultants: Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO / For PSA.SBS: University degree or specific technical specialization in public or business administration, finance, accounting, economics, social science or a related field to FAO mandate; Consultants with bachelor`s degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience
•     At least 1 (one) year of professional experience in project management, operations, internal control, finance, administration, risk management, audit, or a related field.
•     Working knowledge (level C) of English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Knowledge of Project Cycle and project management, programming, monitoring and resource mobilization. 
•     Extent and relevance of experience in supporting, advising and guiding the implementation of complex multi-stakeholder projects.
•     Ability to develop plans for the implementation and coordination of project operations in developing countries, in partnership with UN agencies and other concerned stakeholders and/or partners.
•     Experience in work in Asia region, UN or international agencies, familiarity with UN administrative, operational and financial procedures is considered a strong asset.
•     Experience in managing projects through external partners and with relevant modalities such as FAO’s Operational Partners Implementation Modality (OPIM) or the UN's Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT) is considered an asset.
•     Analytical capacity to deal with complex issues related to operational matters.
•     Ability to work in a multicultural environment and work independently.
•     Good organizational skills.
•     Demonstrated writing and communication skills.
•     Computer skills in Office applications including Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint.