Senior Programme Officer

Food and Agriculture Organization

Rome, Italy

The Logistics Services Division (CSL) provides advice, guidance and oversight for FAO logistics operations both at headquarters and in the Decentralized Offices; it provides policy and operational support to ensure that the Organization's administrative services function effectively and efficiently.

CSL Division oversees, guides and coordinates the work of the Infrastructure and Facilities Management Service (CSLI), the Procurement Service (CSLP), the Health Services (CSLH) and the Security Service (CSLS).

The position is located in the Office of the Director, CSL, at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines :

The Senior Programme Officer reports to the Director CSL. He/she works in close collaboration with the Heads of CSL units and with the CSL Senior Adviser. 

Technical Focus:

Programme management, compliance, oversight, reporting, interagency collaboration, implementation and monitoring of divisional programme portfolio and business operations functions in line with the scope and key performance indicators of functional objectives.

Key Functions:

  • Leads the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects; directs review of relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and initiates follow-up actions;
  • Coordinates programmes and reviews the assessments of issues and trends for the implementation of programmes and projects and the preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies;
  • Supervises preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analyses, substantial sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications;
  • Directs substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations;
  • Manages outreach activities; designs and conducts training workshops and seminars, and makes presentations on assigned topics/activities;
  • Leads field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties;
  • Represents the Organization at international meetings and conferences, identifies and implements strategic partnerships, advocates best practices and increased dialogue, and develops and negotiates effective working relationships/consensus and agreements with international and national stakeholders.

Specific Functions:

  • Leads programme management administrative support at Divisional level, including, where applicable, formulation of Divisional procedures, coordination and consolidation of audit issues;
  • Leads oversight and compliance over business operations functions of the Division;
  • Manages implementation and monitoring of the Divisional Programme of Work and Budget (PWB) and preparation of consolidated Divisional Periodic Budgetary Review and annual programme implementation reports;
  • Leads budgetary control and financial management for the Division, with focus on compliance with governing procedures and fungibility rules;
  • Collaborates on  the planning of human resources; supports the recruitment process for staff and NSHR positions to ensure achievement of Divisional programme and management objectives;
  • Leads FAO's engagement in UN Efficiency Agenda Business Operations related activities to ensure quality guidance and support the engagement of the Decentralized Offices and effective contribution to  interagency task teams;
  • Oversees corporate non-medical insurance and operational risks management;
  • Leads Organizational Resilience Management (ORMS), for improved organizational resilience through enhanced collaboration with internal stakeholders, close collaboration within interagency working groups, and in close coordination with the Decentralized Offices;
  • Undertakes contract management responsibility ensuring close oversight and effective service provider relationship;
  • Coordinates, consolidates and reports with regard to responses to observations and recommendations of the Joint Inspection Unit (JIU), Oversight Advisory Committee (OAC), and Internal and External Audits.

Candidates Will Be Assessed Against The Following:

Minimum Requirements:

  • Advanced university degree in business or public administration, finance, political or social sciences or related fields. 
  • Ten years of relevant experience in programme/financial, administration, supply chain management, planning and appraisal, as well as in the development of results-based management/monitoring systems.
  • Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Source: https://jobs.fao.org/careersection/fao_external/jobdetail.ftl?job=2201416