Programme and Operations Support Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) works with Member Countries to achieve food security, reduce hunger and malnutrition, and promote sustainable and resilient agrifood systems. FAO provides technical assistance and policy support to strengthen national capacities and advance the 2030 Agenda.

Within FAO, the One Health Programme supports countries in preventing, detecting and responding to high-impact animal health threats, zoonoses, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), through strengthened preparedness, surveillance, and One Health collaboration.

In Bangladesh, FAO One Health Programme works closely with government counterparts and development partners to support effective programme delivery, operational compliance, and evidence-based planning.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Bangladesh, the direct supervision of the Technical Advisor, and oversight from the International Operations Specialist (IOS), the Programme and Operations Support Specialist will work in close collaboration with technical, operational, and partner units across FAO Bangladesh projects to support delivery across all stages of the project life cycle.

Technical Focus

The Programme and Operations Support Specialist (SC7) will provide integrated operational and programme support to the One Health portfolio. The position will focus on ensuring effective project delivery through coordinated planning, monitoring, and reporting across the full project life cycle.

The role supports the preparation and implementation of costed workplans, logical frameworks, budgets, procurement and travel plans, and ensures compliance with FAO procedures and reporting requirements. The incumbent will also contribute to the management of programme data systems required to track progress, measure performance indicators, and support evidence-based decision-making for project operations and results achievement.

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Support the International Operations Specialist (IOS) in project budget preparation and revisions, as well as the operational and financial closure of projects.
•     Review planned activity requests from project teams to ensure they are in line with project documents and approved work plans.
•     Collaborate with the One Health management team to facilitate seamless execution of projects across all stages of the project life cycle, ensuring efficient operational and programme management.
•     Regularly review and update travel, HR, and procurement plans on a quarterly basis to ensure compliance with FAO rules and procedures.
•     Coordinate with technical teams to prepare, review, and update costed workplans and implementation timelines.
•     Facilitate collaboration between procurement units and technical teams in conducting technical evaluations of bids from suppliers and service providers.
•     Support the programme team in the development and monitoring of Letters of Agreement (LOAs) and contracts with service providers and contribute to procurement coordination meetings as necessary.
•     Ensure information sharing and regular coordination with government counterparts, implementation partners, and UN agencies for smooth programme implementation.
•     Provide strategic input into briefing materials, programme strategy documents, presentations, and related reporting tools in consultation with the Technical Advisor.
•     Manage preparation and implementation of annual results-based workplans, budgets, and results frameworks in coordination with technical and operational teams.
•     Review reporting requirements and ensure compliance with relevant logical frameworks, including M&E frameworks, project logframe, global AMR frameworks, and the FAO Country Programming Framework.
•     Support preparation of project-specific progress, monitoring, evaluation, and terminal reports for technical and operational clearance including providing input into annual reporting in collaboration with the country office reporting team. 
•     Support knowledge management and development of lessons learned, best practices, case studies demonstrating programme results and impact.
•     Coordinate with technical teams to ensure timely submission of correctly formatted inputs for progress and M&E reporting.
•     Perform other related duties as assigned.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
   

•     Advanced university degree in business administration, economics, public management, or other discipline relevant to FAO’s mandate
•     At least seven (7) years of related professional experience in field programme operations and management
•     Working knowledge of (level C) English 
•     National of Bangladesh

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Previous experience supporting field project management, operations, and results-based reporting.
•     Experience in successful implementation support to complex development and emergency programmes.
•     Demonstrated capacity to manage multiple workflows independently while coordinating effectively with technical and operational teams.
•     Strong skills in workplan development, monitoring frameworks, budgeting, and compliance with programme reporting requirements. 
•     Demonstrated ability to perform effectively under minimal supervision.
 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION