Organizational Setting

FAO's 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 Office's 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 incumbent's work impacts directly on the smooth operations and performance of the office's programme/project activities. He/she plays a lead role in the provision of programme support services for successful achievement of the organizational unit's 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.