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.
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• 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 persons 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
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.
FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.
Organizational Setting
The Project Support Division (PSS) coordinates FAO's efforts towards the effective implementation of the FAO Strategic Framework and the four Betters aiming at achieving the 2030 Agenda, through its projects and programmes. The Director, PSS leads the Organization's work in project cycle including projects oversight and monitoring; management of FAO's Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP); development and implementation support of operational modalities; and due diligence and risk assessment of partnerships with non-state actors.
The PSS Operational Modalities Team (PSSN) facilitates the efficient and effective delivery of the FAO field programme through new working methodologies such as Cash Transfers, Vouchers and Grants to beneficiaries, as well as project delivery through in-country partners, via the Implementing Partnerships (IP) management approach. The work of PSSN is strongly field-focused, seeking to provide policies, procedures, training, and tools that increase the effectiveness of FAO offices implementing projects, in a broad variety of contexts.
The post is located in the Operational Modalities Team (PSSN) within PSS at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.
Reporting Lines
The Programme Officer (Implementing Partnerships) reports to a Programme Officer in the Operational Modalities team under the overall supervision of its Senior Programme Officer and Director, PSS.
Technical Focus
Permanent innovation and continuous development of the IP modality through policy improvements, digitalization of work processes and partner interaction platforms, and creation of new procedures, tools and learning applications.
Key Results
Develop, implement, monitor and evaluate assigned programmes/projects.
Key Functions
•Participates in the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects, etc.; monitors and analyses programme/project development and implementation.
•Reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and tracks follow-up actions.
•Assists in policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies, etc.
•Prepares various written outputs, e.g. drafts background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.
•Undertakes outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
•Coordinates activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).
Specific Functions
•Participates to the end-to-end rollout and implementation of FAO's policy on Implementing Partnerships, stewarding change adoption across Headquarters, Regional, Sub regional and Country Offices, ensuring compliance and usability.
•Contributes to the development or update of procedures and systems for portfolio level quality assurance, second
line monitoring and helpdesk on implementing partnerships.
•Strengthens risk-based management procedures, tools and guidance for IP management, incorporating review
findings and embedding proportionate risk assessment, controls and oversight in IP processes.
•Maintains a multilingual capacity development programme on FAO's IP management
approach, including modular e-learning, on demand micro modules, live Q-As, coaching clinics, and in person
workshops for FAO personnel and IP representatives; ensures maintenance of FAO Handbook/e library pages, and short video series.
•Drives agile implementation and continuous improvement for the implementation of FAO's IP management
approach, including planning sprints, co creating and testing early prototypes (Minimal Viable Products, MVPs)
and running structured feedback loops.
•Coordinates to have existing platforms adapted to needs, develop lean prototypes, improve IP related information
systems and dashboards, and support releases, training and user support.
•Provides subject-matter expertise to multi-channel communications and outreach on IP management through
campaigns, case studies, communities of practice, and leadership messages to sustain adoption and good
practice exchange.
•Monitors IP portfolio performance and learning, tracking KPIs on policy adoption, QA results, training take up, user
satisfaction, and issue resolution; feeds insights into policy maintenance and next release backlogs.
•Contributes to interagency collaboration on implementing partnerships (e.g., HACT related practices), sharing
FAO lessons and aligning where beneficial.
•Performs other related duties as required.
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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
•Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international relations, political science, development cooperation, economics, business administration, project management or another relevant field within FAO's mandate.
•Five years of relevant experienceproject and programme management and operational support in UN or other international organizations.
·Working knowledge (proficiency – level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency– level B) of another official FAO language (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.
•Relevance of experience in IP and UN Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT) policies and procedures.
•Experience of at least two years of experience in development of policies, procedures and institutional tools for effective project management, implementing partnerships and/or project implementation.
•Proven experience in development and use of UN contractual instruments, in particular for partnership purposes.
•Extent of experience in development of policies, procedures, and institutional tools for project cycle, project
management and/or project implementation.
•Extent and relevance of knowledge of risk-based management and results-based management, including working
knowledge of proportionate controls and oversight in partner implemented projects and their related
administrative, operational and financial procedures.
•Experience in design and delivery of capacity building programmes in an international context in multiple
languages.
•Demonstrated ability to design and support complex consultative processes involving internal and external
stakeholders, including governments, donors, NGOs, implementing partners, and UN agencies.
•Extent of experience contributing to the design/iteration of corporate systems and dashboards supporting
implementing partnership management.
•Knowledge of Agile project management concepts and delivery, including sprint planning, backlog prioritization,
user-story mapping, early prototyping (MVP) and structured feedback loops with cross-functional teams.
•Excellent drafting and presentation skills in English, French and Spanish (level C), and documented ability to
translate policy into plain language SOPs, templates, and training content is considered an asset.
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FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.
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GENERAL INFORMATION
- Extension of fixed term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of funds
- FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment.
- Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
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
• elements of family-friendly policies
• flexible working arrangements
• standards of conduct.
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• 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
• 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/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.
• 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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