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, 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 the 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

FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 Nations and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.

The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.

Specifically, FAO Country Offices\:

(i)advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO's mandate.

(ii)provide technical assistance and deliver core services.

(iii)assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation.

(iv)position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and

(v)ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) funded project on Ecosystem-based Adaptation for Resilient Watersheds and Communities in Malawi (EbAM) was recently activated, with a total budget of USD 53.2 million. 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.

The Government of Norway has recently approved funding for the project Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Framework for Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) in Forests and Agriculture (MELBA Malawi), with a total budget of 40 million NOK. The project will operationalise a national MEL framework for EbA to inform climate change adaptation planning and report against national and international commitments.

The position is located in the FAO Representation in Lilongwe, Malawi.

Reporting Lines

The Operations Officer reports to the FAO Representative.

Technical Focus

Lead and coordinate the operational support function of the field programme including emergency, rehabilitation and development projects, in national, regional and global 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, sub-contracts, 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 (Global Resource Management System), FPMIS (Field Programme Management Information System), 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

• Acts as a focal point for operational support and services to the implementation of both projects.

• Coordinates the preparation and implementation of the Project Task Force (PTF) meetings and provides secretariat services to the PTFs.

• Liaises with other units in FAO Malawi, to facilitate timely provision of inputs (human resources, technical support services, sub-contracts, training, equipment and supplies) directly by the Organization or, when appropriate, through contractors. Contributes to the preparation of work plans, monitors implementation progress and identifies corrective measures to overcome operational constraints.

• Reviews, verifies and monitors project budgets, expenditures and financial transactions; coordinates with project teams to prepare and submit periodic project implementation and financial reports; and supports the preparation and processing of requests for funds, budget revisions and project extensions, ensuring compliance with FAO procedures and donor requirements.

• Ensures the completeness, timely updating and quality of data and documentation in the FAO corporate systems for all field projects and programmes assigned to the Country Office.

• Prepares and regularly updates analytical reports on project delivery and performance, and coordinates the termination, closure and final reporting of programmes and projects implemented by the Country Office, including the identification of follow-up actions, for management information and decision-making.

• Supports formulation of project proposals according to FAO's procedures and prepares project documents for internal clearances and final approval under different funding arrangements.

• Monitors quality assurance in processing agreements between FAO and implementing partners, including Partners Agreement (PA) under Operational Partner Implementation Modality (OPIM), Letters of Agreements (LoAs) and Beneficiary Grants (BG). Supports relevant responsible persons in monitoring, reporting and closing these PAs, LOAs and BGs.

• Performs other 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 public or business administration, finance, accounting, economics, social sciences or another field related to the FAO mandate.

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

• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies

• Results Focus

• Teamwork

• Communication

• Building Effective Relationships

• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

• Technical/Functional Skills

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 project management, operations and support at the international level.

• Extent and relevance of experience in the UN System with demonstrated knowledge of operational processing for programmes and projects in developing-country contexts is considered an asset.

• Relevance of experience in working on formulation and implementation of programmes and projects funded by the GCF is desirable.

• Demonstrated knowledge and Experience in Operational Partners Implementation Modality (OPIM) processing, supervision and monitoring is an asset.

• Demonstrated Skills in team coordination and supervision.

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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 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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