Operations Specialist

Organizational Setting

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.

The Regional Office for Africa (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 oversees the network of Country Offices and the Subregional Office(s) for Africa. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region, and, in collaboration with Divisions, Offices and Centres at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities and the implementation of the Organization’s strategies through programmes and projects across the region.

RAF supports the formulation and implementation of the Country Programmes and Projects, including Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs), and their contribution to the FAO Strategic Framework and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) at the country level, advising Decentralized Offices on corporate priorities such as the Strategic Framework and on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization's Programme of Work and Budget. RAF leads, formulates, implements, monitors and reports on the Organization’s programmes and budget in the region and draws management attention to problems, deficiencies and risks. It also leads the preparation of the Regional Conferences and the Statutory Bodies in the region. RAF develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions, including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs), and participates in the United Nations Regional Architecture, such as UN Regional Forums on Sustainable Development and UN Regional Collaborative Platforms and related mechanisms. RAF also delivers an improved, integrated and collaborative business model to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, consistency, innovation, agility and responsiveness in logistical, operational, financial and other support services at all levels to accelerate the achievement of the Organization’s programme in the region and ensure compliance with the Internal Control Framework.

RAF’s emergency and resilience portfolio focuses on technical and implementation support to countries; specifically, the RAF Resilience Team plays a key role in strengthening emergency and resilience programming in the region, supporting countries with technical backstopping, operational clearances, and the implementation of integrated approaches such as the Caisse de Resilience.

Reporting Lines

The Operations Specialist reports to the Senior Regional Resilience Officer (Team Leader), under the overall guidance of the Assistant Director-General/Regional Representative for Africa and the Regional Programme Leader, and the functional guidance of the Office of Emergencies and Resilience (OER) as the Programme Priorities teams in RAF, in consultants with the relevant technical officers in the regional level.

Technical Focus 

The Operations Specialist coordinates, monitors, and controls functions in support of FAO’s Operational services. He/she is expected to act as the primary escalation point for all technical issues raised within the project execution. He/she is further expected to contribute to timely and efficient project operations.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Handle day-to-day operational aspects of emergency response and resilience projects and programmes in accordance with the project management cycle from initiation phase to operational and financial closure.
•    Organize the travel and arrival of all deployed/mission personnel in support of Subregional and Country Offices in RAF Region.
•    Participate in needs and disaster assessments, including interagency assessments and processes.
•    Participate in the design of emergency and resilience projects and programmes, including the preparation and presentation
•    of project proposals and fully-fledged project documents.
•    Ensure technical clearance is obtained from the relevant technical unit for all project proposals, project documents and
•    technical specifications.
•    Provide operational support to the implementation emergency and resilience projects and programmes, including budgetary management and monitoring expenditures.
•    Produce various proposals, programme/project documents, briefs, financial/donor reports and final statements, etc.
•    Support Country Offices to liaise with other government, UN, cluster/sector, NGO and donor partners at the appropriate level to ensure the best preparation and implementation of emergency and resilience activities.
•    Prepare and participates in meetings and international fora related to humanitarian relief matters.
•    Formulate correspondence with recipient governments and donors.
•    Provide operational support and promote capacity development to Country Offices.
•    Monitor and provide support to resource mobilization activities.
•    Report against the regional and country programme dashboard.
•    Maintain and updates information systems and databases, as applicable.
•    Undertake travel to ensure adequate operational support is provided to the implementation of emergency and resilience projects and programmes, including Surge SupportSpe;
•    Perform other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    University degree in agriculture, economics, international relations, public or business administration, finance, accounting, economics, social sciences or another field related to the FAO mandate
•    5 years of relevant experience in project management especially in the agricultural sector
•    Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another FAO official
language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish)

FAO Core 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 
•    Familiarity with UN administrative, operational and financial procedures is an asset
•    Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project formulation, analysis, planning and implementation
•    Extent of experience in formulation, implementation and monitoring of projects
•    Ability to develop plans for the implementation and coordination of project operations in developing countries, in partnership with UN agencies and other concerned stakeholders and/or partners