Programme Assistant

Organizational Setting

FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.

The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.

Specifically, FAO Country Offices: 

• advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
• provide technical assistance and deliver core services;
• assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation;
• Position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation;
• ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.

Reporting Lines

The Programme Assistant will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative and direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) in close consultation with programme cluster team.

Technical Focus

The Programme Assistant provides technical and operational support for project implementation by preparing programme documents and reports, compiling and analysing data from corporate systems, and ensuring accurate documentation and filing. The role supports monitoring activities, organizes meetings and missions, manages correspondence, and assists in producing background materials. It also contributes to project coordination, logistical arrangements, and routine administrative tasks to ensure smooth delivery of programme operations.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Programme Assistant will be responsible to carry out the following tasks:

• Assist in the preparation of project proposals/documents, project briefs, project progress/final reports, background papers, sections of reports and studies.
• Collect and compile data on programme/project activities to support reporting on programme/ project delivery.
• Process, format and proof-read reports, documents, publications, and correspondence related to the work of the Country office from draft texts.
• Review and direct correspondence, calls and queries to appropriate contacts; provide for background information; respond to routine enquiries.
• Assist in the organization of policy dialogues, workshops and consultation meetings and preparation for project periodic reviews, field monitoring and supervision missions in close consultation with programme team, government counterparts and other relevant stakeholders.
• Make arrangements for meetings, seminars and events: implement logistics, prepare meeting minutes, correspondences, compile and distribute documents, support in administrative arrangements.
• Enter, select, analyse, and summarize data from various sources, including FAO corporate systems, such as COIN (Country Office Information System), FPMIS (Field Programme Management Information System), Global Resource Management System (GRMS), country databases, etc to support programme operations.
• Maintain log, file and update records in prescribed format for subsequent use.
• Participate in project monitoring by maintaining current registers and controlling tools on the status of projects at various stages; review inputs, expenditures, and time frames according to work plans; make necessary abstracts and computations; detect inconsistencies.
• Assist in the preparation and submission of periodic and ad hoc project and country office reports.
• Prepare background material, working papers and tables for briefings, review sessions and meetings.
• Prepare correspondence to verify data, answer queries, and obtain additional information on transactions and operational matters, as required.
• Maintain a filing system of technical and project documents and correspondence.
• Carry 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   

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, Forestry, Natural Resource Management, Development Studies or other related fields
• At least five years of relevant experience post degree in supporting programme, project operations preferably with UN agencies, I/NGOs or donor funded government projects
• Working knowledge of English and Nepali
• National of Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal or resident of the country with a valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Ability to draft, format and proof‑read programme documents and reports.
• Skills in data collection, entry and basic analysis using corporate systems.
• Experience supporting meetings, workshops and field missions.
• Strong administrative skills, including filing, record‑keeping and monitoring tools.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in all tasks.
• Ability to work effectively with teams and stakeholders.
• Good communication skills for handling queries, correspondence and coordination.

Selection Criteria

• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities.
• Communication, writing and presentation skills in English and Nepali.
• Ability to work with a multidisciplinary and multicultural team.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION