Organizational Setting

The Project Support Division (PSS) coordinates FAO's efforts towards the effective implementation of the FAO Strategic Framework and the four Betters aiming at achieving the 2030 Agenda, through its projects and programmes. The Director, PSS leads the Organization's work in project cycle including projects oversight and monitoring; management of FAO's Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP); development and implementation support of operational modalities; and due diligence and risk assessment of partnerships with non-state actors.

The PSS Operational Modalities Team (PSSN) facilitates the efficient and effective delivery of the FAO field programme through new working methodologies such as Cash Transfers, Vouchers and Grants to beneficiaries, as well as project delivery through in-country partners, via the Implementing Partnerships (IP) management approach. The work of PSSN is strongly field-focused, seeking to provide policies, procedures, training, and tools that increase the effectiveness of FAO offices implementing projects, in a broad variety of contexts.

The post is located in the Operational Modalities Team (PSSN) within PSS at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Programme Officer (Implementing Partnerships) reports to a Programme Officer in the Operational Modalities team under the overall supervision of its Senior Programme Officer and Director, PSS.

Technical Focus

Permanent innovation and continuous development of the IP modality through policy improvements, digitalization of work processes and partner interaction platforms, and creation of new procedures, tools and learning applications.

Key Results

Develop, implement, monitor and evaluate assigned programmes/projects.

Key Functions

•          Participates in the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects, etc.; monitors and analyses programme/project development and implementation.

•          Reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and tracks follow-up actions.

•          Assists in policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies, etc.

•          Prepares various written outputs, e.g. drafts background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.

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

•          Coordinates activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).

Specific Functions

•        Participates to the end-to-end rollout and implementation of FAO's policy on Implementing Partnerships, stewarding change adoption across Headquarters, Regional, Sub regional and Country Offices, ensuring compliance and usability.

•        Contributes to the development or update of procedures and systems for portfolio level quality assurance, second

    line monitoring and helpdesk on implementing partnerships.

•        Strengthens risk-based management procedures, tools and guidance for IP management, incorporating review

    findings and embedding proportionate risk assessment, controls and oversight in IP processes.

•        Maintains a multilingual capacity development programme on FAO's IP management

    approach, including modular e-learning, on demand micro modules, live Q-As, coaching clinics, and in person

    workshops for FAO personnel and IP representatives; ensures maintenance of FAO Handbook/e library pages, and short video series.

•        Drives agile implementation and continuous improvement for the implementation of FAO's IP management

    approach, including planning sprints, co creating and testing early prototypes (Minimal Viable Products, MVPs)

    and running structured feedback loops.

•        Coordinates to have existing platforms adapted to needs, develop lean prototypes, improve IP related information

    systems and dashboards, and support releases, training and user support.

•        Provides subject-matter expertise to multi-channel communications and outreach on IP management through

    campaigns, case studies, communities of practice, and leadership messages to sustain adoption and good

    practice exchange.

•        Monitors IP portfolio performance and learning, tracking KPIs on policy adoption, QA results, training take up, user

    satisfaction, and issue resolution; feeds insights into policy maintenance and next release backlogs.

•        Contributes to interagency collaboration on implementing partnerships (e.g., HACT related practices), sharing

    FAO lessons and aligning where beneficial.

•        Performs other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•          Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international relations, political science, development cooperation, economics, business administration, project management or another relevant field within FAO's mandate.

•          Five years of relevant experience project and programme management and operational support in UN or other international organizations.

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

Competencies

•          Results Focus

•          Teamwork

•          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.

•          Relevance of experience in IP and UN Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT) policies and procedures.

•          Experience of at least two years of experience in development of policies, procedures and institutional tools for effective project management, implementing partnerships and/or project implementation.

•        Proven experience in development and use of UN contractual instruments, in particular for partnership purposes.

•        Extent of experience in development of policies, procedures, and institutional tools for project cycle, project

    management and/or project implementation.

•        Extent and relevance of knowledge of risk-based management and results-based management, including working

    knowledge of proportionate controls and oversight in partner implemented projects and their related

    administrative, operational and financial procedures.

•        Experience in design and delivery of capacity building programmes in an international context in multiple

     languages.

•        Demonstrated ability to design and support complex consultative processes involving internal and external

    stakeholders, including governments, donors, NGOs, implementing partners, and UN agencies.

•        Extent of experience contributing to the design/iteration of corporate systems and dashboards supporting

    implementing partnership management.

•        Knowledge of Agile project management concepts and delivery, including sprint planning, backlog prioritization,

    user-story mapping, early prototyping (MVP) and structured feedback loops with cross-functional teams.

•        Excellent drafting and presentation skills in English, French and Spanish (level C), and documented ability to

    translate policy into plain language SOPs, templates, and training content is considered an asset.