Project Assistant (Sustainable Aquaculture Project)

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.
 
FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

The GEF8 Food Systems Integrated Programme (FS-IP), led by FAO and IFAD, focuses on transforming global food systems from farm to table, so that they are sustainable, regenerative, nature positive, resilient, inclusive and pollution-free. It addresses the underlying drivers of unsustainability along the whole length of the food system, by transforming and strengthening value chains, business models, incentive and finance frameworks, and policy and institutional conditions, all of which support the application of models of integrated and sustainable landscape and farm management on the ground.  This will result in the delivery of major global environmental benefits (GEBs) in the biodiversity, land degradation and climate change focal areas, in synergy with improved food security, nutrition, incomes, livelihood sustainability and resilience.  The FS-IP comprises 32 country “child” projects spanning Latin America, Africa, the Europe and Central Asia region, Asia and Oceania, and a Global Coordination Project (GCP). It will support participating countries in implementing their National Food Systems Pathways, or other government led frameworks, with a whole-of-Government vision, based on science, concrete field results and full stakeholder inclusion (including the private sector, women, the poor and indigenous peoples). 

The FS-IP will catalyse transformational impacts on the management and impacts of global food systems, that will go far beyond the specific geographies of these child projects. It will achieve this by closely engaging with global policy fora, institutions, finance frameworks and networks of private sector and civil society actors; and by establishing communities of practice (made up of thematic groupings of child projects including those of the GEF-7 FOLUR Impact Program, and spanning the key entry point sectors of rice, wheat, maize, coffee, cocoa, soy, oil palm, livestock and aquaculture), which cumulatively will generate a critical mass of evidence and policy influence capable of transforming global thinking, policies and actions on food systems.

One of the Food Systems IP country child projects is the “Transforming Andhra Pradesh aquaculture to a sustainable, reduced footprint and climate resilient food system”, which will mainly focus on sustainable aquaculture in freshwater and brackish areas in selected areas of the State. This is significant from the point of sustainably utilizing the State’s considerable aquaculture production areas and ensuring that this sub-sector contributes to efficient and rational and equitable use of land and water resources for food production, thus ensuring food security through production of cheap protein for communities. A food systems approach will also ensure entrepreneurship, livelihoods, gainful employment generation.

The position is located in the FAO Country Office in India

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in India, Assistant FAO Representatives (Program and Administration) and under the guidance of the Project Managers, the Project Assistant will undertake the following tasks

Technical Focus

Providing support in project management by assisting in project progress review, reporting, budget/fund management and other logistical support for travel and meetings.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Support project team in managing financial aspects of project activities, including assistance in budget preparation/revisions/review, financial reporting, processing invoices, managing petty cash, and supporting procurement processes. 
•    Provide organizational, operational, and logistical support to the project team, including the organization of project activities, meetings, events, and travel arrangements.
•    Assist the project team in preparing different progress, monitoring and financial reports in the prescribed formats in a timely manner. 
•    Facilitate FAO communication and coordination with government counterparts, project stakeholders, and help the FAO Country Office for smooth implementation of project activities, including stakeholder meetings, workshops, and training sessions.
•    Support the Operational Partner Implementation Modality (OPIM) process for the project by assisting in assessments, ensuring compliance with requirements and deadlines.
•    Liaise with the Administrative and Programme Unit of the FAO Country Office to address project concerns such as financial control, travel logistics, and operational backstopping
•    Handle administrative tasks on behalf of FAO, such as documentation, maintaining records, scheduling meetings, drafting Minutes of meetings, managing correspondence, and preparing presentation materials, and reports.
•    Carry out any other relevant duties within technical competence as requested by FAOR.  

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•    Bachelor’s Degree preferably in natural sciences (biology/biodiversity)
•    One year of relevant experience in assisting project/programme management including financial aspects in international or development agencies
•    Working knowledge of English
•    Indian National

FAO Core Competencies

•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Communication
•    Building Effective Relationships
•    Good writing skill in English
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills
 
•    Good computer skills including wise use of AI tools
•    Ability to effectively use standard office software, such as MS Office (Word, Outlook, Excel, Power Point). 
•    Very good typing skills. 
•    Ability to organize work systematically, set priorities and meet deadlines. 
•    Experience in accounting procedures and managing budgets
•    Ability to structure and convey information in an appropriate and timely format and ensure accuracy and consistency. 
•    Good knowledge of office communication and documentation standards 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION