Programme Support Officer

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 has over 194 member countries and works in more than 130 countries worldwide. The organization aims 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. FAO's mission is to help eliminate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition, and to promote sustainable agriculture and rural development.

Job Overview:
The Programme Support Officer plays a crucial role in supporting the Chief Economist's office within FAO. This position is responsible for leading the implementation, monitoring, review, and assessment of policies, programs, operations, and activities in assigned functional areas. The officer will work closely with various divisions and offices under the Chief Economist Stream, ensuring effective support for the development and management of major programs and projects. The role requires a strong focus on financial and administrative matters, as well as the ability to coordinate and analyze data from multiple sources. The officer will also participate in multidisciplinary teams and contribute to policy reviews and development, making significant contributions to the overall strategic framework of FAO's initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Programme Support Officer will have a wide range of responsibilities, including advising and supporting divisions and offices in financial and administrative matters, coordinating data retrieval and analysis, and participating in internal reviews and change management. The officer will monitor and analyze program/project formulation and implementation, prepare related documents and reports, and provide substantive backstopping for consultative meetings. Additionally, the officer will organize written outputs, provide guidance on administrative procedures, and contribute to large reviews and external assessments. The role also involves managing outreach activities, conducting training workshops, and supervising the unit team as delegated. Specific functions include overseeing the Programme of Work and Budget cycle, coordinating inputs for corporate reporting exercises, and facilitating information sharing within the organization.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, public administration, management, social science, political science, economics, or a related field. A minimum of seven years of relevant experience in project or program management, administration, or a related area is required. Candidates should have a working knowledge of English (proficiency - level C) and intermediate knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish).

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree, specifically a Master’s degree or equivalent, in fields related to business administration, public administration, management, social science, political science, economics, or similar disciplines. This advanced education is essential for understanding the complexities of program management and administration within the context of FAO's mission.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven years of relevant experience in project or program management, administration, or related areas. Candidates with experience in multiple locations or areas of work, particularly in field positions, are preferred. The extent and relevance of experience in program/project formulation, analysis, planning, and implementation are critical for success in this role.

Languages:
Candidates must have a working knowledge of English at proficiency level C and intermediate knowledge (level B) of another FAO official language, which could be Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish. Additionally, having a strong command of another FAO official language is considered a strong asset.

Additional Notes:
The position is likely to be full-time, and while the specific contract duration is not mentioned, it is important to note that the role involves significant responsibilities within the Chief Economist Stream. The position may involve international recruitment, and candidates should be prepared for potential travel or fieldwork as part of their duties. Compensation and benefits details are not specified in the job ad.