National Operations Specialist
Grade: Consultancy - Consultant - Contractors Agreement
Closing Date: Nov 05, 2024
Location: Lilongwe (Malawi)
Occupational Groups: Operations and Administrations

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

  • FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
  • Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
  • Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
  • FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination  
  • All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
  • All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

Organizational Setting

FAO, in cooperation with the Government of Malawi and other relevant partners are incepting the project on Ecosystem-based Adaptation for Resilient Watersheds and Communities in Malawi (EbAM). The project aims at building climate resilience in vulnerable watersheds and communities through increasing climate resilience of watershed ecosystems, stabilizing productivity and farmers’ incomes and enhancing enabling environment. Total cost of the project is estimated at USD 53.2 million, which will be co-financed by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), FAO and the Government of Malawi. The project will be implemented in 11 targeted districts in different regions in Malawi over a period of 6 years. Around 575,000 vulnerable people in rural communities will benefit from project interventions and more than 83,000 heIPOres of land will be restored through application of Ecosystem-based Adaptation approach.


Reporting Lines

The National Operations Specialist (NOS) will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR) in Malawi, direct supervision of the International Operations Officer, and will work closely with the FAO EbAM project team and other Executing Entities.


Technical Focus

The National Operations Specialist will support day-to-day EbAM operation actions, including specialized and complex processes and functions, ensuring consistency, timeliness and conformity with relevant FAO manuals, guidelines and procedures.


Tasks and responsibilities

• Assist the Internal Operations Officer in managing day-to-day EbAM operational actions to ensure the effective management of the project cycle in FPMIS including, amongst others, budget monitoring, expenditure forecast and financial reporting, especially preparation of project annual financial report, mid-year financial information and monthly financial delivery updating.
• Review and rationalize expenditures to ensure adherence to the project budget lines; map project expenditures on a monthly basis in consultation with the project Technical Advisor (TA), National Project Manager (NPM) and other project team members.
• Upload and update project data and documentation in FAO corporate systems (FPMIS) to ensure their timeliness and quality; and keep a repository of important project documents, including records on trainings and events, mission reports and technical reports.
• Provide operational support to project internal and external evaluations and audits; and follow up on their findings and recommendations.
• Liaise with the Country Office project team and relevant FAO HQ offices to propose and process project budget revisions; keep a clear record of budget adjustments and follow up as needed.
• Support the formulation and implementation of the project Human Resources (HR) plans; track personnel expenditures and ensure adherence to HR budget lines.
• Support the formulation and implementation of project procurement plans; tract procurement expenditures and ensure adherence to procurement budget lines.
• Assist in project inventory and assets management.
• Perform any other related tasks assigned by the International Operations Officer.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING


Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University degree in Business Administration, Rural Development, Management or related fields.
• Five years’ experience in project related functions.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English and Chichewa
• Nationality of Malawi.


FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement


Technical/Functional Skills

• Relevance of experience in working with FAO or other UN agencies.
• Relevance of experience in operational processing for investment projects implemented by FAO or other UN agencies.
• Knowledge and strength in computer skills, especially advanced Excel.
• Ability to work with a multidisciplinary team and build good partnerships

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
  • Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
  • Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http\://www.whed.net/
  • For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website\: http\://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
  • Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

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
• 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
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance\: https\://fao.service-now.com/csp

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