Programme Associate (OSP)

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 a mission to help eliminate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition. The organization works in over 130 countries and has a workforce of approximately 12,000 employees. FAO's strategic framework is aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, focusing on transforming agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. The organization emphasizes environmental sustainability as a core component of its operations and objectives, aiming to improve production, nutrition, and the environment while ensuring that no one is left behind.

Job Overview:
The Programme Associate (OSP) plays a crucial role in the Office of Strategy, Programme and Budget (OSP) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. This position is responsible for coordinating support for users of OSP-managed systems, which include the Field Programme Management Information System (FPMIS), the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Module, and the Internal Controls Reporting tool. The Programme Associate will provide training and procedural guidance to managers and staff, ensuring that they can effectively utilize these systems. The role requires a high degree of initiative and independent judgment, as the incumbent will work autonomously while also collaborating with various units across the organization. The Programme Associate will maintain a wide range of contacts with managers, staff, and stakeholders, delivering quality support services that are essential for the smooth operation of the OSP-managed systems.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Programme Associate (OSP) will be responsible for a variety of key functions and results, including:

• Providing Help Desk support for OSP-managed systems and related processes, ensuring that users have the necessary access rights.
• Preparing and delivering training sessions on OSP-managed systems and related processes to enhance user proficiency.
• Participating in the testing of new functionalities for OSP-managed systems to ensure they meet user needs.
• Developing user guides and procedural documentation for OSP-managed systems and processes to facilitate user understanding and compliance.
• Extracting and reviewing data from OSP-managed systems to draft reports, presentations, and graphics that communicate findings effectively.
• Maintaining and regularly updating intranet content and handbook pages to ensure that information is accurate, current, and accessible to users.
• Reviewing current processes and making recommendations for improvements to enhance systems, operational, and administrative procedures.
• Performing other duties as required to support the objectives of the OSP.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Education: Secondary School Education is required.
• Experience: A minimum of five years of experience in administrative, financial, planning, programming, or budgeting activities for both Regular Programme and projects is essential.
• Languages: A working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English is mandatory, along with a working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of one of the other working languages of the Organization, which include Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish.
• IT Skills: Candidates must demonstrate the ability to effectively use standard office software, such as MS Office (Windows, Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Copilot), as well as project management software and FAO corporate financial systems and applications.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a minimum of secondary school education. This foundational education is essential for understanding the administrative and operational tasks associated with the role of Programme Associate (OSP).

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant experience in administrative, financial, planning, programming, or budgeting activities. This experience should encompass both Regular Programme and project work, providing the candidate with a comprehensive understanding of the operational frameworks within which FAO operates.

Languages:
Candidates must possess a working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English, which is essential for communication within the organization. Additionally, proficiency in one of the other working languages of the Organization, such as Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish, is also required, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is classified under the General Service Staff category, which means that candidates must be nationals of Italy or possess a valid visa or work permit to work in Italy. Additionally, candidates must reside within commuting distance of the duty station at the time of application. This ensures that staff members can travel daily between their residence and the workplace. The role is full-time and involves collaboration with various units within FAO, emphasizing teamwork and effective communication.