Programme Assistant

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Position Title: Programme Assistant
Location: Rome
Country: Italy
Deadline Date:

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is an agency that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security. Established in 1945, FAO has a mission to help eliminate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition, and to ensure that all people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. The organization operates in over 130 countries and employs thousands of staff members worldwide, working collaboratively with governments, civil society, and the private sector to achieve its goals. FAO's commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to its strategic objectives and operations, aligning with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty (GAAHP), initiated under the G20 Presidency of Brazil, is one of FAO's key initiatives aimed at eradicating poverty, hunger, and malnutrition globally. The organization operates through various offices, including a Rome Office and several Global South Offices, to implement its strategies effectively.

Job Overview:
The Programme Assistant plays a crucial role in supporting the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty (GAAHP) work programme by coordinating specialized and complex processes and activities. This position is essential for planning and budgeting activities, ensuring that the GAAHP's objectives are met efficiently. The Programme Assistant provides procedural guidance to managers and staff within the Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division (ESP) at FAO headquarters. The incumbent is expected to operate independently, making decisions on work priorities while ensuring high-quality outputs. The role requires close collaboration with colleagues across the organization to maintain consistency and quality in the programme/project support services provided by the GAAHP. The Programme Assistant will also be responsible for monitoring budgets, preparing reports, and responding to queries related to programme and project matters, thereby playing a vital role in the overall success of the GAAHP initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Programme Assistant's duties and responsibilities include monitoring both Regular Programme and Project budgets to ensure proper allocation and reporting of funds, taking corrective action when necessary, and informing management of any budget issues. The incumbent will support budget holders in preparing Periodic Budgetary Reports (PBR) and will prepare project budget revisions in consultation with them. The Programme Assistant will respond to various routine queries, provide clarifications on programme and project matters, and inform management and team members about processes and timeframes for securing necessary administrative services. Additionally, the role involves reviewing data quality, maintaining office records, compiling and synthesizing data for financial analyses, generating management reports, coordinating administrative and financial actions related to staff management, and providing procedural guidance to junior staff. The Programme Assistant will also review and recommend improvements to current programme/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/project support services. A good knowledge of MS Office applications, internet, and office technology equipment is essential. The role requires a working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English, and candidates should demonstrate competencies in results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, and knowledge sharing. Technical skills required include a very good understanding of corporate information systems, programme and budget processes, common administrative and financial rules, and communication standards. Desirable qualifications include intermediate knowledge (level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish), experience in organizing multi-country events, and a certification in supply chain management, business administration, finance, or accounting.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position is a secondary school education. This foundational education is essential for understanding the administrative and financial processes involved in the role. While higher education may not be explicitly required, additional certifications or training in relevant fields such as business administration, finance, or project management could enhance a candidate's qualifications and competitiveness for the position.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of four years of relevant experience in providing programme/project support services. This experience should encompass a range of administrative and financial tasks, including budget monitoring, report preparation, and general office management. Candidates with experience in international organizations or in roles that involve multi-country coordination will be particularly well-suited for this position, as they will be familiar with the complexities of working in a global context.

Languages:
The mandatory language requirement for this position is a working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English. Additionally, it is desirable for candidates to have intermediate knowledge (level B) of another FAO official language, which could include Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish. Proficiency in multiple languages is advantageous, as it enhances communication and collaboration within the diverse international environment of FAO.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified under the General Service Staff category, which means that 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 independently while also collaborating closely with other team members. The Programme Assistant will have a significant impact on the smooth operations and performance of the GAAHP programme/project activities, making this a critical role within the organization.