Operations Specialist
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Job Description
Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (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. The FAO Sub-regional Office for the Pacific (SAP) specifically supports 14 Pacific Island Countries (PICs) in addressing agricultural, fisheries, food security, nutrition, and rural development priorities.
Job Overview:
The Operations Specialist position is crucial for the effective implementation of FAO's projects in the Pacific region. The incumbent will provide advanced operational, financial, and administrative support to the SAP project portfolio. This role requires a strong understanding of FAO systems, project cycle management, procurement processes, and financial monitoring. The Operations Specialist will coordinate complex, multi-country programs, ensuring compliance with FAO rules and procedures while delivering timely program outputs. The position involves close collaboration with various stakeholders, including project teams, technical officers, and government counterparts, to ensure that project objectives align with FAO's strategic goals.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Operations Specialist will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including acting as the focal point for project operational matters across the SAP region, managing day-to-day implementation activities, and monitoring project workplans, budgets, procurement plans, and milestones. The incumbent will identify risks and propose corrective actions, support the preparation and implementation of project workplans, and ensure alignment with FAO strategic objectives. Additionally, the Operations Specialist will prepare and coordinate project task force meetings, monitor project budgets and expenditures, review project transactions, maintain financial records, and support project closures. The role also involves preparing for procurement processes, participating in Local Procurement Committees, ensuring timely provision of project inputs, and preparing analytical and implementation reports for internal and donor reporting. The incumbent will liaise with government counterparts, support the identification and development of new project opportunities, contribute to resource mobilization efforts, provide operational guidance and training to project staff, support recruitment processes, and conduct operational support missions to country offices as required.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in business administration, project management, finance, economics, or a related field. Those with a bachelor's degree must have two additional years of relevant professional experience. A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in project/programme management, operations, or financial management is required. Additionally, candidates must have a working knowledge (level C) of English.
Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in business administration, project management, finance, economics, or a related field from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO. For consultants with a bachelor's degree, two additional years of relevant professional experience are necessary to meet the qualifications.
Experience:
The position requires at least 5 years of relevant experience in project/programme management, operations, or financial management. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in project cycle management and multi-country programme coordination within the FAO framework. Experience working with international organizations and/or development projects is also essential, and familiarity with the Pacific region or Small Island Developing States (SIDS) context is considered an advantage.
Languages:
A working knowledge (level C) of English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be beneficial but is not explicitly required.
Additional Notes:
The job is based in Apia, Samoa, and involves full-time engagement. The position may require travel to various country offices within the SAP region for operational support missions. Candidates will be assessed against their professional experience, ability to manage complex operational processes, coordination and stakeholder engagement skills, and familiarity with FAO systems. The role may also involve engagement with GEF and/or GCF projects, including PPG and implementation phases.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (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. The FAO Sub-regional Office for the Pacific (SAP) specifically supports 14 Pacific Island Countries (PICs) in addressing agricultural, fisheries, food security, nutrition, and rural development priorities.
Job Overview:
The Operations Specialist position is crucial for the effective implementation of FAO's projects in the Pacific region. The incumbent will provide advanced operational, financial, and administrative support to the SAP project portfolio. This role requires a strong understanding of FAO systems, project cycle management, procurement processes, and financial monitoring. The Operations Specialist will coordinate complex, multi-country programs, ensuring compliance with FAO rules and procedures while delivering timely program outputs. The position involves close collaboration with various stakeholders, including project teams, technical officers, and government counterparts, to ensure that project objectives align with FAO's strategic goals.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Operations Specialist will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including acting as the focal point for project operational matters across the SAP region, managing day-to-day implementation activities, and monitoring project workplans, budgets, procurement plans, and milestones. The incumbent will identify risks and propose corrective actions, support the preparation and implementation of project workplans, and ensure alignment with FAO strategic objectives. Additionally, the Operations Specialist will prepare and coordinate project task force meetings, monitor project budgets and expenditures, review project transactions, maintain financial records, and support project closures. The role also involves preparing for procurement processes, participating in Local Procurement Committees, ensuring timely provision of project inputs, and preparing analytical and implementation reports for internal and donor reporting. The incumbent will liaise with government counterparts, support the identification and development of new project opportunities, contribute to resource mobilization efforts, provide operational guidance and training to project staff, support recruitment processes, and conduct operational support missions to country offices as required.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in business administration, project management, finance, economics, or a related field. Those with a bachelor's degree must have two additional years of relevant professional experience. A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in project/programme management, operations, or financial management is required. Additionally, candidates must have a working knowledge (level C) of English.
Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in business administration, project management, finance, economics, or a related field from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO. For consultants with a bachelor's degree, two additional years of relevant professional experience are necessary to meet the qualifications.
Experience:
The position requires at least 5 years of relevant experience in project/programme management, operations, or financial management. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in project cycle management and multi-country programme coordination within the FAO framework. Experience working with international organizations and/or development projects is also essential, and familiarity with the Pacific region or Small Island Developing States (SIDS) context is considered an advantage.
Languages:
A working knowledge (level C) of English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be beneficial but is not explicitly required.
Additional Notes:
The job is based in Apia, Samoa, and involves full-time engagement. The position may require travel to various country offices within the SAP region for operational support missions. Candidates will be assessed against their professional experience, ability to manage complex operational processes, coordination and stakeholder engagement skills, and familiarity with FAO systems. The role may also involve engagement with GEF and/or GCF projects, including PPG and implementation phases.
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We are not liable for any decisions or actions taken by applicants in response to this job listing. By applying, you agree that all application processes, interviews, and potential job offers are managed exclusively by the listed employer or organization.
Beware of fraudulent job offers. Do not provide sensitive personal information or make any payments to secure a job.