Operations Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (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; make agriculture, forestry, and fisheries more productive and sustainable; reduce rural poverty; and enable inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems. The Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) plays a crucial role in leading FAO's response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture, and rural development, overseeing a network of Country Offices and ensuring a multidisciplinary approach to programs.

Job Overview:
The Operations Officer position is integral to the operational support and project management functions within the FAO's Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia. The role involves supporting the Budget Holder in leading the operational aspects of assigned projects and programs, particularly focusing on enhancing the resilience of Serbian forests through the GCF project. The Operations Officer will be responsible for ensuring effective project implementation, monitoring progress, and identifying operational constraints. This position requires a proactive approach to managing project budgets, preparing analytical reports, and maintaining effective relationships with stakeholders throughout the project cycle. The Operations Officer will also play a key role in resource mobilization and compliance with donor criteria, ensuring that all operational activities align with FAO's strategic objectives and regional priorities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Operations Officer will support day-to-day project implementation, monitor project progress, and identify corrective measures to address operational constraints. Key responsibilities include reviewing and monitoring project budgets and expenditures, preparing requests and revisions, and ensuring the completeness and quality of data in FAO's corporate systems. The officer will prepare program-level analytical reports, monitor financial statuses, and identify areas of low delivery or over-expenditure. Additionally, the role involves producing various reports, proposals, and policy briefs, participating in project formulation, and providing technical and administrative support to ongoing projects. The officer will also maintain and update information systems and databases, supervise personnel and service providers, and ensure effective communication and visibility activities are aligned with project plans.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in public or business administration, finance, accounting, economics, social sciences, or a related field relevant to FAO's mandate. A minimum of three years of relevant experience in project management and operations support is required. Candidates should have a working knowledge of English at proficiency level C and intermediate knowledge of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) at level B. Competencies such as results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, and knowledge sharing are essential for this role.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree is required for this position, specifically in fields such as public or business administration, finance, accounting, economics, social sciences, or other areas related to FAO's mandate. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of project management and operations within the context of FAO's objectives.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of three years of relevant experience in project management and operations support. Candidates with experience in international project implementation and managing field operations will be preferred. Familiarity with UN administrative, operational, and financial procedures, as well as an understanding of FAO policies and programs, is considered a strong asset. Experience in supporting complex multi-stakeholder projects is also desirable.

Languages:
Proficiency in English at level C is mandatory, along with intermediate knowledge of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) at level B. This linguistic capability is essential for effective communication and collaboration within the international context of FAO's operations.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Budapest, Hungary, and is part of the FAO's Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia. The role may involve collaboration with various stakeholders and requires a commitment to FAO's mission of achieving food security and sustainable agricultural practices. The specific contract duration and seniority level are not mentioned, but candidates should be prepared for a full-time commitment to support the organization's objectives.