Programme Assistant (Mainstream Project)

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 commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to its strategic objectives and operations, and it plays a crucial role in promoting sustainable agricultural practices and food systems.

Job Overview:
The Programme Assistant (Mainstream Project) plays a vital role in supporting the EU-funded MAINSTREAM project, which has a budget of EUR 6,000,000 and is managed by the FAO Office of Innovation (OIN). This position involves coordinating specialized and complex processes and activities to ensure the successful delivery of the project. The Programme Assistant is responsible for planning and budgeting activities, providing procedural guidance to managers and staff, and ensuring that the project aligns with FAO's strategic objectives. The role requires close collaboration with various FAO units and stakeholders to facilitate cross-collaboration and reinforce transformative partnerships. The incumbent will operate independently in routine matters and will be expected to make decisions on work priorities while receiving guidance on the quality of work outputs.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Programme Assistant will monitor the MAINSTREAM Project budget, ensuring proper allocation and reporting of funds, and will take corrective action as needed. Responsibilities include supporting the budget holder and project coordinator in preparing project monitoring and accountability reports, as well as project work plans. The incumbent will prepare budget revisions in consultation with relevant stakeholders and respond to routine queries regarding project matters. Additionally, the Programme Assistant will support the initiation, administration, and monitoring of Letters of Agreement throughout the project implementation phase, review data quality, maintain project records, and compile data for financial analyses. The role also involves coordinating administrative and financial actions related to staff management, travel, payments, and procurement, as well as disseminating project outputs and communication materials. The Programme Assistant will review and recommend improvements to current project administration procedures and perform other functions as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a secondary school education and have a minimum of four years of relevant experience in providing programme or project support services. A working knowledge of English at proficiency level C is mandatory, and candidates should have good knowledge of MS Office applications and office technology equipment. The role requires strong competencies in results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, and knowledge sharing. Technical skills in corporate information systems, programme and budget processes, and common administrative and financial rules are also essential.

Educational Background:
The minimum educational requirement for this position is a secondary school education. Candidates with additional qualifications or certifications related to project management or administrative support may be preferred, but the primary requirement is the completion of secondary education.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of four years of relevant experience in providing support services for programmes or projects. Candidates should have experience in managing project budgets, particularly for EU-funded projects, and should demonstrate the ability to support multiple project partners effectively. Experience in administrative and financial processes within an international organization is highly desirable.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English at proficiency level C is mandatory for this position. Additionally, a working knowledge of French is considered a desirable qualification, as it may enhance communication with project partners and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified under the General Service Staff category, and candidates must be nationals of Italy or possess an existing visa/work permit and reside within commuting distance of the duty station at the time of application. The role is full-time, and the incumbent will be expected to work closely with various teams across the organization to ensure the successful implementation of the MAINSTREAM project.