Programme Assistant

Job Advertisement

Position Title: Programme Assistant
Location: Brasilia
Country: Brazil
Deadline Date:

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) was established in 1945 and is dedicated to achieving security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensuring that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. FAO operates in over 130 countries and employs thousands of staff members globally. The organization focuses on transforming agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable, contributing to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. FAO's commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to its strategic objectives and operations, and it plays a crucial role in global initiatives such as the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty (GAAHP).

Job Overview:
The Programme Assistant plays a vital role in supporting the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty (GAAHP) work programme, which aims to eradicate poverty, hunger, and malnutrition worldwide. This position involves coordinating specialized and complex processes and activities, as well as providing procedural guidance to managers and staff. The Programme Assistant will work under the general supervision of professional staff and report to the Director of the Support Mechanism of the GAAHP. The incumbent is expected to operate independently, prioritize work effectively, and ensure the quality of outputs. The role requires close collaboration with colleagues in the GAAHP and client offices to maintain consistency and quality in programme/project support services.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Programme Assistant's duties include monitoring both Regular Programme and Project budgets, ensuring proper allocation and reporting of funds, and taking corrective actions as necessary. The incumbent will support budget holders in preparing Periodic Budgetary Reports, prepare project budget revisions, and respond to routine queries regarding programme and project matters. Additionally, the Programme Assistant will review data quality, maintain office records, compile and synthesize data for financial analyses, and generate management reports. The role also involves coordinating administrative and financial actions related to staff management, travel, payments, and procurement. The Programme Assistant will provide procedural guidance to junior staff, review and recommend improvements to current 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 working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English is mandatory, along with good knowledge of MS Office applications and office technology equipment. Candidates must be nationals of Brazil or possess an existing visa/work permit and reside within commuting distance of the duty station at the time of application.

Educational Background:
The minimum educational requirement for this position is a secondary school education. Candidates with additional qualifications or certifications in relevant fields such as supply chain management, business administration, finance, or accounting may have an advantage.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least four years of relevant experience in providing support services for programmes or projects. Experience in organizing multi-country events and familiarity with protocol requirements is desirable. Additionally, experience in programme support and business operations, including planning, budgeting, financial report preparation, and general administration, is beneficial.

Languages:
A working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English is mandatory for this position. It is also desirable for candidates to have intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of one of the other working languages of the Organization, which include Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as General Service Staff, and candidates must be nationals of Brazil or possess an existing visa/work permit. The role is based in Brasília, Brazil, and candidates must reside within commuting distance of the duty station at the time of application. The Programme Assistant will work full-time and is expected to contribute to the smooth operations and performance of the division's programme/project activities.