Organizational Setting
The Land and Water Division (NSL) aims at enhancing agricultural productivity and advancing the sustainable use of land, soil and water resources through their improved tenure, management, development and conservation. It provides technical assistance to Member countries in developing policies, programmes, best practices and management tools to address the challenges they face in ensuring productive and efficient use of land and water resources in order to meet present and future demands for agricultural products, while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the land, soil and water quantity and quality. It promotes equitable access to and sustainable management of these natural resources with a view to enhancing productivity, livelihoods, social equality and ecosystem health - services.
The post is located in the Land and Water Division (NSL) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.
Reporting Lines
The Programme Officer reports to the Director, NSL.
Technical Focus
Support to implementation of FAO's land, water and soil agenda at global, regional, subregional and/or country level.
Key Results
Develops, implements and evaluates effective leadership and management of major projects and teams in accordance with Divisional/Office objectives and the FAO Strategic Framework.
Key Functions
• Develops, implements and evaluates assigned programmes/projects; monitors and analyses programme/project development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and initiates corrective action; liaises with relevant parties; ensures follow-up action.
• Performs specific assignments, in collaboration with the client, by planning facilitating workshops, through other interactive sessions and assisting in developing the action plan the client will use to manage the change.
• Researches, analyses and presents information gathered from diverse sources.
• Coordinates policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of impact assessments or equivalent studies.
• Generates survey initiatives; reviews, analyses and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions.
• Organizes and prepares written outputs, e.g. background papers, analyses, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications.
• Provides substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings and conferences to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations.
• Initiates and coordinates outreach activities; conducts training workshops and seminars; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
• Leads and/or participates in large, complex field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties as well as drafting mission summaries.
• Coordinates activities related to budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget).
Specific Functions
• Acts as Quality Assurance Officer for NSL Letters of Agreement.
• Oversees compliance with corporate requirements in relation to Audit and Internal Controls.
• Contributes to strategic oversight within the Division's management team, providing advice on operational and audit matters as well as on fraud and risk management and systems controls and making proposals for improving processes and strengthening capacities in the Division.
• Liaises closely with the Resource Mobilization Division (PSR) concerning interactions with donors and to ensure compliance with FAO's financial and administrative procedures.
• Liaises closely with the Corporate Logistics and Operational Support Stream (CS) on financial and administrative procedures.
• Provides strategic guidance related to the financial resources management of NSL according to rules and regulations as well as best case practices.
• Performs other related duties, as required.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in business administration or public administration, social science, political science or a related field.
• Seven years of relevant experience in project or programme management, planning, administration as well as in the development of results-based management/monitoring systems or related areas.
• Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
Competencies
• Results Focus
• Team Work
• Communication
• Building effective relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous
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 the field of administration, human resources, finance and management of land, water and soil (natural resources) type of programmes.
• Demonstrated results-based management capabilities with an ability to manage programmes, budgets and human resources efficiently under shifting priorities.
• Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project formulation, analysis, planning and implementation, in particular with land, water and soil (natural resources) technical focus.
• Extent and relevance of experience in managing and coordinating technical and/or operational programmes, including the project cycle.
• Extent and relevance of experience in accounting and in managing accounting functions, budget management and reporting and associated tools.
• Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset.
• Demonstrated ability to analyse problems, make appropriate recommendations, effective decisions, including in high level settings.
• Experience in the development of tools for work planning, monitoring and reporting.
• Ability to mobilize resources.