Programme Support Associate: Climate Resilience & Just Transition

Mission and objectives

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) leads international efforts to eradicate hunger, improve food security and nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. FAO works with governments and development partners to strengthen resilient agrifood systems, support climate-smart agriculture, improve natural resource management, and enhance the resilience of communities to climate-related shocks and disasters. In South Africa, FAO supports national and local institutions to advance sustainable food systems, climate resilience, disaster risk reduction, biodiversity conservation, and rural development. As an active member of the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), FAO contributes to coordinated UN action by supporting inter-agency initiatives that strengthen resilience, preparedness and sustainable development.

Context

FAO South Africa implements programmes that strengthen climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, food systems and disaster risk reduction. Successful implementation of these programmes requires effective administrative coordination, programme support, stakeholder engagement and knowledge management to ensure that activities are delivered efficiently and in accordance with FAO procedures. Hosted by FAO South Africa, this assignment provides an opportunity for a young professional to gain practical experience supporting climate resilience, sustainable development and agrifood systems initiatives while strengthening programme coordination and administrative functions. The UN Volunteer will work closely with programme staff to support project implementation, coordination of activities, documentation, reporting, stakeholder engagement and logistical arrangements. In addition to supporting FAO's core programme portfolio, the UN Volunteer will contribute to the coordination activities of the UN Disaster Task Team (DTT). The DTT promotes collaboration among UN agencies and national stakeholders to strengthen disaster preparedness, emergency response coordination, resilience planning and recovery efforts. The assignment will expose the volunteer to inter-agency coordination mechanisms while developing practical skills in programme administration, coordination, reporting and partnership management within the United Nations system.

Task Description

Under the direct supervision of the designated FAO Supervisor, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: 1. Support programme coordination and implementation ● Support the planning, coordination and implementation of programmes related to climate resilience, climate-smart agriculture, sustainable agrifood systems, disaster risk reduction and just transition. ● Assist in coordinating programme activities, meetings, workshops, field missions and stakeholder consultations, ensuring effective logistical and administrative support. ● Contribute to the implementation of approved work plans and support the timely delivery of programme outputs. 2. Support UNCT internal coordination mechanisms ● Support FAO's participation in the UN Disaster Task Team (DTT) by assisting with the coordination of inter-agency meetings, preparation of agendas and background documentation, recording minutes and following up on agreed action points. ● Contribute to information sharing and collaboration among participating UN agencies and partners to strengthen disaster preparedness, resilience planning, emergency response coordination and recovery efforts. ● Support the documentation and coordination of joint initiatives undertaken through the Disaster Task Team. 3. Support monitoring, reporting and results tracking ● Assist in monitoring programme implementation by maintaining activity trackers, compiling programme information and supporting the collection of performance data. ● Contribute to the preparation of programme reports, donor reports and progress updates by compiling administrative and technical inputs. ● Support results tracking and documentation of programme achievements against approved work plans and expected outputs. 4. Support knowledge management and documentation ● Organize and maintain programme documentation, electronic filing systems and information repositories. ● Document lessons learned, good practices and programme achievements to support institutional learning. ● Assist in maintaining accurate project records and knowledge products that facilitate information sharing within FAO and with partners. 5. Support stakeholder engagement and operational coordination ● Assist in coordinating engagement with government departments, municipalities, development partners, implementing partners, research institutions and other stakeholders. ● Support the organization of meetings, consultations, workshops and capacity-building activities, including logistical and operational arrangements. ● Maintain stakeholder databases, partnership records and follow up on agreed collaborative actions. 6. Support communication and visibility ● Assist in compiling programme information, activity highlights and supporting documentation for internal updates, reports and other communication products. ● Support the documentation of meetings, workshops, training sessions and programme events by preparing event summaries, maintaining activity records and compiling supporting information where appropriate. ● Assist in preparing presentations, briefing materials and other information products that support programme implementation, stakeholder engagement and knowledge sharing. 7. Provide general administrative support ● Provide administrative support for programme operations, including meeting logistics, travel arrangements, procurement documentation, records management, filing systems and correspondence. ● Assist with maintaining financial and administrative documentation in accordance with FAO policies and procedures. ● Perform other programme support and administrative duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Competencies and values

Accountability, Adaptability and Flexibility, Building Trust, Client Orientation, Commitment and Motivation Commitment to Continuous Learning, Communication, Ethics and Values, Integrity, Knowledge Sharing Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity, Self-Management, Technological Awareness Working in Teams.

Living conditions and remarks

Bigger cities in South Africa can be highly cosmopolitan. In Johannesburg and Pretoria, you will find an abundance of world class gyms, restaurants, bars, recreational classes, galleries, parks etc. The bigger shopping malls host a large selection of international brands. There is a plethora of international cuisine to be sampled, and quirky independent cinemas to be discovered. OR Tambo International Airport is a world class airport, offering highly sophisticated facilities. It is located just outside of Johannesburg, in Kempton Park. It has many international airlines that fly into this airport. Crime rates in South Africa are ranked on the high end, petty theft and opportunistic crimes are common, and armed robberies, smash & grabs and hijackings are also fairly frequent in certain areas. One needs to remain vigilant especially at night and at road intersections. There are usually sign posts that indicate such hot spots. Periodic security information updates are sent via email providing information at national level, with regards to circumstances such as incidents of civil unrest, transport security, computer and networking safety and trends in criminality. UNDSS sends weekly security updates via email. Updates from wardens are on an ad hoc basis, following security related events in your residential area. Updates from UNDSS are provided weekly. Candidates will receive the following entitlements for the duration of the assignment: ● A monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) of R7,500.00 (tax-free) to support basic living expenses during the assignment. ● Access to UNV learning and development platforms to support professional and personal development throughout the assignment.