Organizational Setting
FAO's 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 FAO's 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 EUR 6 000 000 and 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 incumbent's 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.