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 General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) is a Regional Fisheries Management Organization (RFMO) established under the provisions of Article XIV of the FAO Constitution. The main objective of the GFCM is to promote the development, conservation, rational management and best utilization of living marine resources, as well as the sustainable development of aquaculture in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.
To this end, the GFCM adopts binding recommendations and other resolutions and ensures these decisions are implemented. The GFCM decision-making process is based on the work of several subsidiary bodies, which lead advisory processes that start with field monitoring and data collection and culminate in the formulation of appropriate management and conservation measures. In line with its mandate and main strategic priorities agreed by its contracting parties, with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14 and the FAO Four Betters, the GFCM focuses on i) Fisheries and ecosystems: healthy seas and productive fisheries; ii) Compliance and enforcement: a level playing field to eradicate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing; iii) Aquaculture: a sustainable and resilient sector growing to its full potential; iv) Livelihoods: decent employment and engaged fishers towards profitable fisheries; and v) Capacity development: technical cooperation, knowledge sharing and efficient partnerships in a subregional perspective.
To support these endeavors, the GFCM Secretariat Programme and Liaison Team is inter alia responsible for the operational implementation of the GFCM workplan: it manages the portfolio of GFCM projects, overseeing their preparation, monitoring and reporting phases, it handles operations and procurement actions (both at headquarters and field level) in coordination with relevant FAO services and ensures, as appropriate, the necessary liaison with Decentralized Offices, goods and service providers, donors and internally between teams on relevant programme matters.
The post is located at the GFCM headquarters at Palazzo Blumenstihl (via Vittoria Colonna 1, Rome, Italy)
The Programme Officer (Operations) reports to the GFCM Programme Officer (Fishery Liaison), supports the GFCM technical teams at headquarters and in the field, as well as maintains regular contact with relevant FAO Divisions, Regional Offices and Country Offices in the GFCM area of application.
Lead and coordinate all phases of the operational lifecycle towards the implementation of strategic activities envisaged in the context of the GFCM portfolio, in line with the GFCM mandate, adopted strategies and in compliance with FAO rules and regulations.
Develop, implement, monitor and evaluate assigned programme/projects.
Key Functions:
Participates in the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects, etc.; monitors and analyses programme/project development and implementation.
Reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and tracks follow-up actions.
Assists in policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies, etc.
Prepares various written outputs, e.g. drafts background papers, analyses, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.
Undertakes outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
Coordinates activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).
Specific Functions:
Oversees project operations and provides operational guidance to GFCM ongoing and pipeline projects.
Plans, develops and manages all aspects related to headquarters and field-based operations carried out to fulfil the GFCM mandate within its area of application, in compliance with corporate policies and in alignment with GFCM strategic objectives, taking into account eligibility/feasibility matters and seasonality of the activities.
Interacts with relevant FAO Regional Offices, Country Offices and headquarters business owners in relation with operational matters and liaises, as and when necessary, with resource partners and stakeholders for smooth implementation of projects at regional, subregional and country level.
Supervises all stages of the procurement cycle, from planning to closure, to assist the Organization in meeting requirements for procuring goods, services and works in a timely manner, ensuring ‘best value for money’ and in accordance with the FAO rules and regulations.
Manages solicitation processes, provides expert inputs to the evaluation process of bids/proposals and oversees operational clearance for all invoices and financial reports received in connection to related contractual tools ensuring that the obligations of both FAO and the vendor have been fulfilled.
Participates in selected phases of the project lifecycle supporting the formulation, development, implementation, monitoring and reporting on the execution of project activities within the context of the GFCM portfolio.
Supervises the production and timely circulation of periodic ad-hoc management reports, including for the identification of risks to the implementation of project operations.
Proposes risk mitigation measures and undertakes corrective actions in view of safeguarding GFCM's reputational integrity.
Reviews corporate policies, runs feasibility assessments, analyses external conditions affecting the execution of project implementation, advising decision-makers on best practices to be adopted across all phases of the project cycle.
Performs other related duties as required.
Candidates Will Be Assessed Against The Following:
Minimum Requirements:
Advanced university degree in business administration, public administration, development economics, project management or another field relevant to the work of the Organization.
Five years of relevant experience in programme or project management, operations management and/or procurement, including in the context of international organizations.
Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
Technical/Functional Skills:
Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions.
Extent and relevance of experience in the field of administration, human resources, finance and management.
Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project formulation, analysis, planning and implementation.
Extent of knowledge of planning and budgetary processes and associated tools.
Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset.
Proficiency in the preparation and revision of technical documents and reports.
Extent and relevance of knowledge of policies adopted by the GFCM and of the operations and functioning of Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) is a strong asset.
Expertise on the FAO procurement policy and knowledge of FAO corporate systems (namely, the Field Programme Management Information System (FPMIS), the Integrated Management Information System (iMIS), the Global Resource Management System (GRMS)) would be an advantage.
