Programme Associate

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO's mission is to achieve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With over 194 member countries, FAO works in more than 130 countries worldwide, employing thousands of staff dedicated to improving agricultural productivity, ensuring sustainable management of natural resources, and enhancing rural livelihoods.

Job Overview:
The Programme Associate position is crucial for the coordination of program and project support services within the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFI) at FAO. This role requires a comprehensive understanding of program planning and budgeting activities, necessitating in-depth analysis and interpretation of relevant policies and procedures. The Programme Associate will be responsible for providing procedural guidance to managers and staff, ensuring that the office operates efficiently and effectively. The incumbent will work autonomously, demonstrating a high degree of initiative and independent judgment, while also providing guidance and training to program support staff. This position is integral to the successful achievement of the office's mandate, impacting the smooth and efficient operations of program/project activities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Programme Associate will coordinate the preparation, submission, revision, and follow-up of the Programme of Work and Budget (PWB), ensuring that all aspects are monitored and reported accurately. Responsibilities include reviewing and analyzing Periodic Budgetary Reports, synthesizing data from various corporate and office databases to facilitate program analysis, and drafting management reports. The incumbent will monitor projects, maintain programming reference materials, and consolidate reports on human resources planning and expenditures. Additionally, the Programme Associate will screen incoming correspondence, draft related communications, and support knowledge sharing across the department through training and briefings. The role also involves reviewing current processes and making recommendations for improvements in program/project administration procedures, as well as performing other functions as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a secondary school education and have a minimum of five years of experience in administrative, financial, planning, programming, or budgeting activities. Proficiency in English at a working knowledge level (level C) is required, along with intermediate knowledge of another official language of the Organization (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) at level B. Candidates should also have good knowledge of MS Office applications and office technology equipment.

Educational Background:
The minimum educational requirement for this position is a secondary school education. This foundational education is essential for understanding the administrative and financial processes that the Programme Associate will be involved in.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant experience in administrative, financial, planning, programming, or budgeting activities. This experience is critical for the incumbent to effectively manage the diverse responsibilities associated with the role and to provide the necessary support to the office's operations.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English (proficiency - level C) is mandatory, along with intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another official language of the Organization, which could include Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish. This linguistic capability is essential for effective communication within the diverse international environment of FAO.

Additional Notes:
The position is based at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. It is important to note that the Programme Associate will work autonomously and will be expected to take ownership of delegated responsibilities. The role is full-time, and candidates will be assessed based on their qualifications and experience relevant to the duties outlined. The position may involve collaboration with various stakeholders, requiring strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build effective relationships.