Organizational Setting

The Chief Economist leads FAO's work with governments and partners to build resilient, inclusive, and sustainable agrifood systems, focusing on strengthening shock resilience, advancing innovative financing, improving access to healthy diets, and reinforcing supply chains. The Office of Chief Economist supports the strategic coordination and oversight functions of the Divisions, Centers and Offices (Stream) under the direct responsibility of the Chief Economist:  Agrifood Economics and Policy (ESA), Agrifood Systems and Food Safety (ESF), Food and Nutrition (ESN), Rural Transformation and Gender Equality (ESP), Statistics Division (ESS), Markets and Trade (EST), Digital FAO and Agro-informatics (CSI), FAO Investment Centre (CFI), Office of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) (OSL), and  Office of Sustainable Development Goals (OSG).

The position is located in the Programme and Budget Support Unit (PBSU-C) of the Chief Economist Stream.

Reporting Lines

The Programme Support Officer reports to the Chief Economist and works in close collaboration with the Office of Chief Economist (DDCE, DDCG) and senior level staff in the assigned Stream.

Technical Focus

Lead the implementation, monitoring, review and assessment of policies, programmes, operations and activities in assigned functional areas.

Key Results

Effective support to the development, implementation, monitoring, and management of major programmes, projects and teams in accordance with FAO's Strategic Framework and Priority Programmes of Actions.

Key Functions

• Advises and supports the Divisions and Offices of the Stream in financial and administrative matters and coordinates retrieval and analysis of data from a variety of sources, including FAO’s administrative systems;

• Participates in multidisciplinary teams/cross sectoral working group, leads and/or participates in internal administrative and organizational reviews and change management-related issues;

• Provides effective support to the development, implementation, review and monitoring of assigned work programmes and/or projects, e.g. monitors and analyses programme/project formulation, development and implementation, reviews and evaluations as well as elaboration of relevant analysis, documents and reports; identifies significant issues and proposes well-reasoned, innovative approaches to address them;

• Coordinates activities related to budget and funding, and prepares related documents and reports (work plans, programme budget, HR planning, financial statements, periodic budgetary reports);

• Participates in policy reviews and development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, and the preparation of impact evaluations or equivalent studies;

• Provides substantive backstopping (e.g. review of agendas, preparation of documents, presentations, and support for the delivery of proposed meetings) to consultative and other meetings (including FAO technical meetings and Statutory and Governing Bodies sessions if/as required);

• Organizes and prepares or consolidates written outputs, e.g. background papers, comments/inputs to internal/external audit reports, evaluations and studies, as well as inputs to publications;

• Provides advice and guidance to FAO Divisions and Offices, programmes and projects within the Stream, as well as suggests streamlining of administrative procedures to relevant policy/business owners;

• Participates as required, in large, complex reviews, including provision of contributions and guidance to external review members and consultants, and provides inputs to mission summaries and reports;

• Contributes to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for planning and knowledge building purposes;

• Initiates and coordinates outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities;

• Manages and supervises the unit team, as delegated.

Specific Functions

• Supports the Chief Economist in specific programmes and policies being implemented by the Chief Economist Stream.

• Oversees and monitors the Programme of Work and Budget cycle for the Divisions, Centers and Offices under the oversight of the Chief Economist in charge of the Economic and Social Development Stream.

• Coordinates the Stream’s inputs to major corporate reporting exercises, including periodic budgetary reporting and programme implementation reports, and supports the validation process of corporate internal control initiatives.

• Provides advice to the Chief Economist and the Senior Management of the Stream on operational, administrative, and human resources-related issues; assists the Chief Economist in carrying out leadership functions, proposing solutions to improve quality, timeliness, and cost-effectiveness.

• Coordinates the planning, monitoring, and regular update of the Chief Economist extra-budgetary project portfolio and advises on approaches for efficient implementation; supports the Chief Economist by providing data and periodic financial statements to facilitate joint programming and delivery across initiatives and regular budgetary (RB) and trust fund (TF) portfolios.

• Facilitates information sharing, including through Senior Management Meetings, on FAO procedures, tools, and manuals, to enhance efficiency and delivery; promotes and facilitates interactions and exchanges within the Stream and fosters teamwork and communication among staff.

• Supports the improvement of monitoring processes and tools.

• Provides overall advice on project cycle management and corporate rules related to resource mobilization.

• Facilitates Divisions/Centers/Offices interactions with audits and other internal or external reviews/assessments.

• Performs any other duties, as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration or public administration, management, social science, political science, economics or a related field

• Seven years of relevant experience in project or programme management, administration or related area

• Working knowledge of English (proficiency - level C) and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish)

Competencies

• Results Focus

• Team Work

• 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

• Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project formulation, analysis, planning and implementation

• Extent and relevance of experience in the field of administration, human resources, finance and management

• Extent of knowledge of planning and budgetary processes and associated policies, procedures and tools

• Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset

• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of another FAO official language is considered a strong asset