Programme 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, make agriculture, forestry, and fisheries more productive and sustainable, reduce rural poverty, and enable inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems. The organization also works to ensure that countries can achieve their Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to food and agriculture.

Job Overview:
The Programme Officer position is integral to the Office of the director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Deputy Director-General (DDG) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. This role involves providing comprehensive management support and advice aligned with the Programme Priority Areas and other key priorities outlined in the Strategic Framework of FAO. The Programme Officer will be responsible for developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating assigned programmes and projects. This includes participating in the entire lifecycle of programme/project management, from conception through to evaluation, ensuring that all activities are aligned with FAO's strategic objectives. The officer will also engage in policy development, conduct outreach activities, and prepare various written outputs, including reports and analyses, to support the organization's mission.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Programme Officer will have a diverse set of responsibilities, including but not limited to: participating in the development, implementation, and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects; monitoring and analyzing programme/project development and implementation; reviewing relevant documents and reports to identify problems and propose corrective actions; liaising with relevant parties and tracking follow-up actions; assisting in policy development through the analysis of issues and trends; preparing various written outputs such as background papers and sections of reports; conducting outreach activities and training workshops; coordinating budget and funding activities related to programme/project preparation and submissions; and preparing related documents and reports. Specific functions also include identifying priority problems to be addressed, providing updates on programme/project performance, researching and presenting information to senior staff, assisting in meeting preparations, and ensuring quality control of outputs from the Office of the DDG.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, public administration, social science, political science, international development, international relations, or a related field. Additionally, a minimum of five years of relevant experience in project or programme management, administration, or a related area is required. Candidates should demonstrate a strong results focus, teamwork capabilities, effective communication skills, and the ability to build effective relationships. Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement are also essential competencies for this role.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree, specifically a Master’s degree or equivalent, in fields such as business administration, public administration, social science, political science, international development, international relations, or a related area. This educational foundation is critical for understanding the complexities of programme and project management within the context of FAO's mission and objectives.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant experience in project or programme management, administration, or a related area. Candidates with experience working in multiple locations or areas, particularly in field positions, will be viewed favorably. Additionally, experience in strategic policy analysis, programme/project formulation, planning, and implementation is essential. Familiarity with partnership and outreach topics is considered an asset, as is a strong command of English, both written and oral, along with experience in drafting and editing documents.

Languages:
Candidates must have a working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another official FAO language, which may include Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish. Proficiency in additional languages is advantageous and may enhance a candidate's suitability for the role.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Rome, Italy, at the FAO headquarters. While the job ad does not specify a deadline for applications, candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. The role is likely to be full-time, and the organization may consider candidates for international recruitment. Compensation and benefits details are not provided in the job description, but FAO typically offers competitive salaries and benefits packages to its employees.