FAO recruits 01 Operations Officer

Job Description: 1901892

Operations Officer

Closure Date: 21/Aug/2019, 9:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit: FAO Representation in Guinea Bissau, FRGBS

Job Type: Staff position

Type of Requisition: Professional Project

Grade Level: P-3.

Primary Location: Guinea-Bissau-Bissau

Duration: Fixed-term: one year with possibility of extension

Post Number: 2007404

CCOG Code: 1A11

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender and nationality

• People with disabilities are protected from any type of discrimination during any stage of employment, including the recruitment phase

• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

• The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization

Organizational Setting

The main aim of FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

Reporting Lines

The Operations Officer reports to the FAO Representative in Guinea-Bissau, under the technical supervision of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) based in the Subregional Office for West Africa (SFW).

Technical Focus

Lead and coordinate the operational support function of the FAO field programme in Guinea-Bissau including emergency, rehabilitation and development projects.

Key Results

The provision of operation support services.

Key Functions

• Acts as a focal point for all project operational matters, organizes and handles the day-to-day operational activities of the field programme (including emergency, rehabilitation and development projects, in national, regional and global projects) and takes action in consultation with supervisors on any issues which arise during the execution period;

• Prepares project task force meetings and provides secretariat support;

• Ensures the timely provision of project inputs (personnel, technical support services, subcontracts, training, equipment and supplies) directly by the Organization or, when appropriate, through contractors and in liaison with other support units;

• Participates in the preparation of project work plans, monitors progress and identifies corrective measures to overcome operational constraints;

• Reviews and monitors the project budget, prepares requests and revisions as required, maintains and monitors budget expenditures and resources, reviews project transaction listings with a view to identify errors in accounting against budget lines;

• Prepares and submits the project implementation reports and any other reports required by the Organization;

• Ensures the completeness and quality of data and documentation in the FAO corporate systems (e.g. GRMS, FPMIS), for all assigned operational field projects and activities;

• Prepares analytical reports on project performances as required;

• Coordinates action concerning the completion of field projects and arranges for timely and adequate reporting, including identification of project follow-up requirements;

• Contributes to the formulation of project proposals according to FAO’s procedures and prepares project documents for technical clearance and final approval under different funding arrangements;

• Performs other duties as required.

Specific Functions

• Participates in internal meetings, supports information sharing, planning/coordination of internal activities and supports day-to-day operations of FAO Guinea-Bissau projects;

• Monitors FAO Guinea-Bissau Regular Programme and extrabudgetary project budget and oversees budget preparation, funding allocation, budget revisions, field budget authorizations and staff planning, as well as prepares regular financial reports;

• Ensures the targeting of beneficiaries, the determination of technical specifications and the preparation and submission of calls for tender for the acquisition of inputs and equipment and quality control;

• Assists in the preparation of documents for the Invitation To Bid (ITB), Request For Quotation (RFQ), Request For Proposal (RFP), Letter of Agreement (LoA) and Operational Partner Agreement (OPA) in collaboration with the technical teams and lead technical officers (LTOs);

• Participates in the local purchase committees and advises on procurement related procedures;

• Supports the Country Office on operational procedures (opening and closure of projects, budget monitoring and budget revisions) and on the use of FAO system links (FPMIS and GRMS) at regional level;

• Contributes to funding mobilization efforts for FAO Programme, reviews the quality and timely inputs to programme preparation as well as the preparation of programmatic and strategic documents and project proposals;

• Monitors the project indicators and alerts in view of minimizing the occurrence of ‘Management Issues’;

• Prepares project task force and steering committee meetings;

• Carries out in-country operational backstopping visits when necessary;

• Prepares and submits periodical and final narrative (including recommendations) and financial reports as required for the management of the project and the European Commission as described in related specific agreement.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in public or business administration, finance, accounting, economics, social sciences or  a related field;

• Five years of relevant experience in project management/operations and support;

• Working knowledge of English, and limited knowledge of one of the other FAO languages Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish.

Competencies

• Results Focus

• Teamwork

• Communication

• Building Effective Relationships

• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable;

• Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project formulation, analysis, planning and implementation;

• Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset;

• Extent and relevance of experience in supporting, advising and guiding the implementation of complex multi-stakeholder projects including formulation and monitoring;

• Demonstrated ability to develop plans for the implementation and coordination of project operations in developing countries, in partnership with UN agencies funds and programs (AFP) and European Union and other concerned stakeholders and/or partners is considered a strong asset;

• Familiarity with UN administrative, operational and financial procedures is an asset;

• Experience in land governance, food security, and development, particularly in West Africa is desirable;

• Working knowledge of French and Portuguese is considered strong asset.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

GENERAL INFORMATION

 • Candidates endorsed in the selection process for this vacancy announcement will be considered for the FAO Professional Employment Roster for a period of two years. The Roster is used to fill other similar positions at the same or lower grade, and in the same or another duty station;

• FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

 A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link: http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/salary.htm 

Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include:

• Dependency allowances

• Rental subsidy

• Education grant for children

• Home leave travel

• 30 working days of annual leave per year

• Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund

• International health insurance; optional life insurance

• Disability protection

FAO encourages a positive workplace culture to increase inclusivity and diversity within its workforce. FAO applies measures in which all staff members contribute equally and in full to the work and development of the Organization. This includes:

• elements of family-friendly policies

• flexible working arrangements

• standards of conduct

HOW TO APPLY

 • To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications and language skills;

• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile;

• Once your profile is completed, please apply and submit your application;

• Your application will be screened based on the information provided on your online profile;

• Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list;

• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications;

• Incomplete applications will not be considered;

• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered;

• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help, or have queries, please contact: Careers@fao.org 

FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT