Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN  (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Our goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives.

The FAO Partnership and Liaison Office in the Republic of Kazakhstan is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing, and
implementing strategies for addressing food security, agriculture, and rural development priorities in the country in close collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan and other national stakeholders.

Reporting Lines

The Programme Assistant will work under the overall supervision of the Lead Technical Officer and the direct supervision of the Programme Officer/Team Leader FAO Kazakhstan.

Technical Focus

The Programme Assistant develops and maintains support processes related to the coordination and delivery of FAO programmes,  ensuring compliance with FAO norms and procedures.

Tasks and responsibilities

The incumbent will be performing following duties and tasks:

•     In line with the revised Project Cycle, help ensure data concerning the office’s field programme portfolio is up-to-date in the
Field Programme Management Information System (FPMIS), with relevant project documentation uploaded as
appropriate;
•     Provide support to the project teams on day-to-day coordination/implementation of the project in accordance with the annual work plan;
•     Assist in following up on administrative and financial actions related to programme/project staff/NHSR recruitment,
management and support; travel; payments; and procurement;
•     Make arrangements for programme-related meetings, seminars and events: implement logistics, prepare correspondence, compile and distribute documents, make administrative arrangements; support in preparing background material, working papers, and tables for briefings, review sessions, and meetings.
•     Process, format and proof-read project/programme reports, documents, publications and correspondence from draft texts,
related to the field programme;
•     Review and direct correspondence, calls and queries to appropriate contacts; provide background information; respond to
routine enquiries related to project implementation;
•     Support in following up with UNDP for the timely release of payments and disbursing office/projects expenditures in line with ASRs (Agency Service Requests) issued by FAO HQ/REU/SEC;
•     Collect and compile data on programme/project activities to support reporting on programme/ project, provide information
on programme/ project expenditures and status of programme/ project budget;
•     Prepare correspondence to verify data, answer queries, and obtain additional information on transactions and operational
matters, as required.
•     Support in carrying out other specific operational tasks for programme/project implementation as requested.
•     Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•     Completed Secondary School of Education supported by training in business administration, public management, finance or other fields relevant to the mandate of the Organization; 
•     3 years of experience in programme/project implementation relevant to the mandate of the Organization;
•     Knowledge of United Nations/FAO’s operational guidelines and project / programme management procedures is an asset.   
•     Working knowledge of English and Russian (C1). Knowledge of Kazakh is an asset. 
•     National of Kazakhstan or resident of the country with valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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