National Operations Specialist

Organizational Setting

The main aim of FAO Country Office, headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. FAO Kyrgyzstan assists the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic to develop policies, programmes and projects to address the root causes of hunger and malnutrition, to develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors and to use environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. FAO participates in the development and implementation of field projects in the sectors of food security, agriculture and rural development. This requires the integration within the broader framework of sustainable food and agriculture that aims at increasing production and productivity, addressing climate change, and managing natural resources; and enhance rural livelihoods. 
The present Country Programming Framework 2023–2027 is derived from the UNSDCF Kyrgyzstan (2023-2027).
FAO assistance will contribute to the attainment of the national priorities related to improving food security and nutrition, promoting organic agriculture, increasing digitalization, stimulating agricultural and livelihood development and decent work creation, building household resilience, improving environmental protection, and enhancing sustainable natural resource management and adaptation to climate change.
FAO’s assistance in Kyrgyzstan is shaped by the 2023-2027 FAO Country Programming Framework (CPF), which is centered on three strategic priority areas:
Strategic Priority 1: Support national efforts to respond to people’s needs by ensuring equitable access to quality social services, including education, health, social protection and decent work, through effective policies and appropriate financing mechanisms, with the participation of all parties.
Strategic Priority 2: Support national efforts to promote prosperity and resilience for all citizens through inclusive and equitable green socioeconomic development.
Strategic Priority Area 3: Support national efforts to promote inclusive and gender-transformative approaches to climate action, disaster risk management and environmental protection to conserve natural resources and leverage ecosystem benefits for sustainable human development.

Reporting Lines

The Operations Specialist provides support to the projects, including GCP/KYR/020/GCF under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative for Kyrgyzstan and direct supervision of Assistant FAO Representative in the country.

Technical Focus

Operational, financial management and accounting.

Tasks and responsibilities

Operational Support:

•     Provide operational and programmatic support to the implementation of projects and programmes, including monitoring budget utilization and expenditures, and supporting reporting and compliance requirements.;
•     Handle day-to-day operational aspects of projects and programmes in accordance with the project management cycle from initiation phase to operational and financial closure;
•     Assist the Budget Holder in the overall management of the portfolio, including budget allocations, budget revisions, etc.;
•     Liaise between programme and procurement teams to ensure timely delivery of projects, following project workplans, budget availability and in accordance with relevant manual sections;
•     Support to BH in overseeing recruitment, renewal of contracts and travel arrangements of all deployed/mission personnel following, analyze budget availability and in collaboration with the admin unit; 
•     Coordinate the production and clearance of supporting documents (concept notes, project documents, financial and narrative reports, visibility materials);
•     Support capacity development of operations unit at the country-level, including by attending appropriate meetings and trainings at sub-regional, regional and HQ level.

Financial Support:

•     Prepare and manages financial plans and supports budgets of the FAO country office; maintains all financial records and monitoring systems of the office and assists with monitoring of various accounts; supervises and/or maintains impress accounts; ensures that operational expenditures are in accordance with approved budgets and that all committing documents are complete and consistent; and reports variations from budgets.
•     Assist with organizing and/or retrieving, entering, selecting, and analyzing data from a wide variety of sources, including FAO’s corporate systems.
•     Prepare financial and administrative correspondence for the office, including the processing of payments in accordance with established rules; maintains a filing system; and ensures that an appropriate paper trail with key documentation is archived.
•     Assist with the preparation of recurring reports on programme, project, and office accounts; provides support in the preparation of reports for budget planning, audits and other related requests; and liaises with local banks and financial institutions.
•     Ensure that the flow of funds is continuously operative in line with the Funding Agreements signed respectively between partners and FAO, Operational Partner Agreements (OPA), specifically for GCP/KYR/020/GCF and other projects. 
•     Monitor delivery estimates and contribute to regular reports at the request of the Budget Holder; provides input regarding project budgetary matters, as required.
•     Provide support in arrangement of spot checks/annual audits.
•     Monitor the receipt of Government contributions and ensures that all procurement and custom clearances for programmes, projects and the office are properly requested and obtained.
•     Manage the project budgets and supports budget revisions as required.
•     Coordinate actions concerning the timely completion/closure of field projects, including identification of project follow-up requirements.
•     Enter invoices to GRMS in compliance with the Donor and FAO requirements.
•     Provide guidance and support in implementation of the OPIM modality at FAO Kyrgyzstan, including under GCP/KYR/020/GCF and other projects.
•     Review and clear financial and progress reports received from the Operational Partners, including from GCP/KYR/020/GCF and other projects, and certify request for funds within FAO Kyrgyzstan projects.
•     Monitor the progress of Letter of Agreements, review and clear the financial reports and relevant supporting documents (i.e., invoices) submitted by the Service Providers, including from GCP/KYR/020/GCF and other projects.
•     Ensure the compliance with the Organization’s security guidelines (Minimum Operational Security Standards – MOSS).
•     Provide procedural guidance to managers and staff; supervise, guide and train other finance support staff. 
Programming Support: 
•     Participate in the design of projects and programmes, including the preparation and presentation of project proposals and fully-fledged project documents and budgets;
Other: 
•     Perform other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements 
  
•     Master’s degree or equivalent qualification in accounting, Business Administration, finance or economics for international standard 
•     Minimum 5 years of experience of project/programme development and management, budgeting, accounting and reporting procedures for an international organization (preferably UN or related)
•     Working knowledge (Level C) of English, Russian and Kyrgyz
•     National or resident of the Kyrgyz Republic

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Broad experience in budgeting, accounting, and reporting procedures of the International Organization (preferably UN).
•     Strong foundation in project/programme formulation, planning, implementation, and budget management
•     Hands-on experience in setting-up and running a project/programme financial management and accounting information system(-s) in accordance with the best international practices
•     Professional certification in accounting/finance is an asset
•     Familiarity with OPIM, LoA, OPA modalities is an asset
•     Experience working with donor-funded projects, preferably Green Climate Fund (GCF), is an asset
•     Complete, practice-based command of double-entry bookkeeping 
•     Experience in procurement processes and compliance with donor/UN rules 
•     Ability to present financial information in a clear, concise manner and in formats suitable for non-specialists
•     Experience in training staff of local counterparts and subcontractors in disbursement procedures and in accounting theory and practice
•     Demonstrated ability to analyse problems, make appropriate recommendations, effective decisions;
•     Computer literacy; familiarity with Windows-based programs such as Word and Excel, PowerPoint, Accounting Programme, and other MIS
•     Ability to exercise a high level of judgment, personal initiative, tact, and discretion ant to communicate effectively with people at all levels and to collaboratively work as a member of a team

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION