Programme Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is an international organization that aims to eradicate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition. Established in 1945, FAO works in over 130 countries and has a mission to support the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems. The organization is committed to environmental sustainability, which is integral to its strategic objectives and operations. FAO country offices, led by an FAO Representative, assist governments in developing policies, programs, and projects to achieve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security and reduce hunger and malnutrition, while also promoting sustainable use of agricultural, fisheries, and forestry resources.

Job Overview:
The Programme Assistant plays a crucial role in the coordination of specialized and complex processes and activities that support the delivery of the Office's work programme, planning, and budgeting activities. This position requires the individual to provide procedural guidance to managers and staff within the Office, ensuring that all operations align with the organization's goals. The Programme Assistant operates independently, making decisions on work priorities while receiving supervision focused on the quality of work outputs. The role involves close collaboration with colleagues across the organization to ensure consistency and quality in the programme and project support services provided by the Office.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Programme Assistant is responsible for a variety of tasks, including monitoring both Regular Programme and Project budgets to ensure proper allocation and reporting of funds. The incumbent will take corrective actions as necessary and inform management of any budget issues that may arise. Additionally, the Programme Assistant will support budget holders in preparing Periodic Budgetary Reports (PBR), the biennial Programme of Work and Budget (PWB), and related work plans. The role also involves preparing project budget revisions in consultation with budget holders, administering and monitoring Letters of Agreement during project implementation, and responding to routine queries regarding programme and project matters. The Programme Assistant will maintain office records, compile and synthesize data for financial analyses, coordinate administrative and financial actions related to staff management, and support the dissemination of project outputs and communication materials. Furthermore, the incumbent will provide procedural guidance to junior Programme Assistants and review current programme/project administration procedures for improvements.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a secondary school education and have a minimum of four years of relevant experience in providing programme/project support services. A working knowledge of English at proficiency level C is mandatory, along with good IT skills, particularly in MS Office applications and office technology equipment. Candidates must also be nationals of Lesotho or possess a valid visa or work permit to work in the country, residing within commuting distance of the duty station at the time of application.

Educational Background:
The educational requirement for this position is a secondary school education. This foundational level of education is essential for understanding the administrative and operational tasks associated with the role of Programme Assistant.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of four years of relevant experience in providing support services for programmes or projects. This experience should demonstrate the candidate's ability to manage administrative tasks, budget monitoring, and coordination of project activities effectively.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English at proficiency level C is mandatory for this position. This proficiency ensures that the Programme Assistant can effectively communicate and collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders. While English is the primary language required, additional language skills may be beneficial but are not specified as mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The position is classified under General Service Staff, which means that candidates must be local nationals or possess a valid work permit to be eligible for recruitment. The role is expected to be full-time, and candidates must reside within commuting distance of the duty station, which is defined as the distance that allows daily travel between the workplace and residence. The Programme Assistant will be assessed based on competencies such as results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, and knowledge sharing.