Programme Officer (TCP)

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

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• 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 Members and persons 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 FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, 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
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

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The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through 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

The Regional Office for RAF is responsible for leading FAO's response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO's priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the Region and, in collaboration with departments and divisions at Headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities. RAF also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization's Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. RAF develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs). The Regional Office supports regional policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region.

The post is located in the Regional Office for Africa (RAF) in Accra, Ghana.

Reporting Lines

The Programme Officer (TCP) reports to Senior Field Programme Officer in RAF and works in close functional contact with the Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) unit of the Project Support Division (PSS) at FAO headquarters.

Technical Focus
Support to the overall field programme with timely approval and maximum delivery of the TCP regional allocation for demand-driven, strategic and catalytic high quality technical assistance interventions. The incumbent will support implementation and monitoring of the Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) in RAF region in support of maximizing resource mobilization and partnership for implementation of Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs), subregional and regional priority frameworks and the FAO Strategic Framework.

Key Results

Comprehensive technical, statistical, analytical and/or policy analysis services and the development of specialized tools, methodologies, systems and/or databases to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of the programme of work and related products, projects, publications and services.

Key Functions

• Acts as focal point for requests from decentralized offices for information or guidance related to the specific approval criteria, standards and policies governing the TCP.

• Monitors the effective commitment of the regional allocation, alerts the Assistant Director-General Regional Representative (ADG/RR) to any risks of over- or under-commitment or of unbalanced allocations between countries or subregions or between national projects and (sub)regional projects, and proposes corrective measures and possible methodologies for managing the allocation, as required.

• Manages and monitors the TCP pipeline for the countries of the region.

• Prepares regular and ad hoc reports on the commitment of the regional TCP allocation and on any problems encountered.

• Keeps FAO Representatives and Subregional Coordinators regularly informed of the state of country and subregional pipelines and of the possibilities for further TCP funding.

• Receives requests for TCP assistance from FAO Representatives, Subregional Coordinators and the Regional Office, analyses the number of approved projects and the state of the pipeline to ascertain the possibility for accommodating the request and informs the concerned office of any problems in this regard.

• Analyses and process requests for budget revisions.

• Oversees the information management related to the TCP and, in particular, supervises and guides the staff responsible for entry of TCP data into the Field Programme Management Information System (FPMIS).

• Contributes to the corporate monitoring of the effective implementation of TCP projects, with particular focus on the respect for the TCP standards and policies and on the achievement of stated results, and prepares regular and ad hoc reports.

• Contributes to the preparation and revision of TCP guidelines, policies and procedures.

• Liaises with the Senior TCP Officer, Technical Cooperation for Support (TCS), on day-to-day operational matters requiring a standardized approach across regions and to fulfil corporate reporting and monitoring requirements.

• Acts as Secretary for the regional TCP Peer Review Committee.

• As requested by the ADG/Regional Representative, participates in and provides support to the process of prioritization and formulation of regional projects or other TCP projects being formulated at the level of the Regional Office.

Specific Functions

• Manages regional TCP resources in an efficient and effective manner as per the above key functions.

• Ensures that all TCP proposals adhere to the TCP criteria, including their strategic use and contribution to regional priorities.

• Supports formulators with quality assurance of proposals and adherence to relevant policies and procedures, and the submission for allocation of resources by the ADG.

• Advises TCP formulators facilitating strong catalytic effects and potential for upscaling.

• Leads the TCP outreach activities to showcase the TCP results as a tool for Resource Mobilization.

• Contributes to development and implementation of resource mobilization strategies, taking into consideration the catalytic effects of TCPs.

• Promotes strategic partnerships with relevant and potential resource partners and contributes to exploring funding opportunities as follow-up to the TCP results.

• Facilitates capacity development efforts in support of staff in all locations with regard to TCPs.

• Collaborates closely with the Project Support Services Division (PSS) in TCP corporate operational or policy related matters, and other relevant headquarters divisions and offices.

• Provides quarterly regional reports on TCP projects in need of management action and liaise with the Field Programme Unit to support Budget Holders on actions required.

• Contributes to the design and delivery of training workshops on project management, monitoring and reporting of TCPs, and other areas that support the management of projects in the region as required.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, social sciences or other fields related to the mandate of the Organization.
• Seven years of relevant experience in project and programme management, and in one or more of the following: formulation, appraisal, implementation and/or monitoring of field projects in developing countries.
• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency- level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

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 and skills in project identification, formulation and analysis.

• Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project implementation in developing countries in the Region.

• Extent of experience of project or programme operational and results monitoring.

• Ability to write clear and concise analytical reports for management.

• Extent and relevance of experience with using Excel and corporate databases; knowledge of the FAO Field Programme Management Information System would be an advantage.

• Ability to provide guidance and advice with a client-oriented approach.

• Project management certification is considered a strong asset.

• Intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - Level B) of French is desirable.

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FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

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GENERAL INFORMATION

• Extension of fixed term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of funds
• FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment.
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

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
Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include:
• Dependency allowances
• Rental subsidy
• Education grant for children
• Home leave travel
• 30 working days of annual leave per year
• Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund
• International health insurance; optional life insurance
• Disability protection

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

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