National Operations Officer

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented member nations and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold our values. FAO has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and FAO, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Organizational Setting

FAO's commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

FAO's Subregional Office for Eastern Africa (SFE) is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing agreed strategies for addressing subregional food, agriculture and rural development priorities. It develops and maintains relations with subregion-wide institutions including Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs).

The Subregional Office for Eastern Africa is a subsidiary of FAO's Regional Office for Africa (RAF). It supports subregional policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates the emergence of subregional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the subregion.

SFE also serves as the official FAO Representation to the African Union (AU) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).

This post is located in the FAO Subregional Office for Eastern Africa (SFE) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Reporting Lines

The National Operations Officer reports to the SFE Natural Resources Officer and works under the overall supervision of the Subregional Coordinator and in close collaboration with the Field Programme Support and Monitoring Officer FPSMO.

Technical Focus

Programme development, coordination and operational assistance based on the knowledge of the local conditions, culture, language and institutions of the country of assignment. Assistance to Lead Technical Officers by ensuring smooth project operations, consistent service delivery, and continuous evaluation and readjustment/improvement of the operational environment to reflect the subregion's and country's evolving needs.

Key Results

Effective and efficient provision of operational support to the programme and project technical coordination at the Subregional Office.

Key Functions

• Acts as a focal point for all matters related to the daily operation of the field project(s) assigned.
• Contributes to the preparation and/or assessment of new programme and project proposals, and reviews them for the purpose of operational clearance, with a view to assessing their operational feasibility.
• Plans and prepares project task force consultations on behalf of the FAOR/Budget Holder and ensures proper secretarial support for such meetings.
• Ensures timely provision of inputs for personnel, technical support services, sub-contracts, training, equipment/supplies and other needs related to project operations.
• Participates in the preparation of project work plans, monitors progress and, where, necessary, identifies corrective measures to overcome operational constraints.
• Manages the' project budget and prepares revisions as required.
• Coordinates the timely preparation and submission of project progress and terminal reports required (as specified in the project agreement) as well as preparing analytical reports on the Representation's portfolio as a whole.
• Coordinates actions concerning the timely completion/closure of field projects, including identification of project follow-up requirements.
• Ensures the quality of data/documentation in the Field Programme Management Information System (FPMIS) for all pipeline and operational field projects in the country.

Specific Functions

• Provides guidance and advice to project staff in operations and administrative matters in particular to the Budget Holder (BH), Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and project manager (PM).
• Contributes to project task force meetings and provide secretariat support to BH, LTO and PM.
• Supports project proponents with the Operational Partners Implementation Modality (OPIM) package preparation.
• Supports project proponents with the OPIM package approval from RAF and the Project Support Division (PSS).
• Assists project proponents with the signature and operationalization of the Operational Partners Agreement (OPA).
• Provides support and guidance to Operational Partners (OP) as needed.
• Monitors OPA disbursements and OP delivery including reviews of OP disbursement requests, financial and narrative reports.
• Monitors and advises project teams on OPA follow up actions such as Annex 9, audits and spot checks and, where necessary, identifies corrective measures to overcome operational constraints.
• Reviews and closely monitors the project budget expenditures and resources.
• Supports the preparation and delivery of training and other learning events (e.g., OPIM training etc.).
• Participates in regular regional meetings with RAF and other subregions to ensure effective knowledge sharing and coordination.
• Performs any other related duties as may be required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• National of the country of assignment.
• Advanced university degree in a field related to business or public administration.
• Three years of relevant experience in office management, administration, accounting and/or audit, budget or finance.
• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English language and the local language.

Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building effective relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project management.
• Extent and relevance of experience in public administration.
• Demonstrated understanding of the purpose and functions of technical programmes, operational guidelines and programme/project management procedures, preferably those adopted by the United Nations or FAO would be considered an asset.

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.
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GENERAL INFORMATION

The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments.

• Staff members in this category are recruited locally and paid according to a local salary scale. Salary scales are reviewed periodically on the basis of comprehensive surveys of the best prevailing conditions of employment in the locality.

• FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description.

• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

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CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link: https://commonsystem.org/cp/default.asp
FAO encourages a positive workplace culture to increase inclusivity and diversity within its workforce. FAO applies measures in which all staff members contribute equally and in full to the work and development of the Organization. This includes:
• elements of family-friendly policies
• flexible working arrangements
• standards of conduct

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HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT