Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT No. FRURT 006-2012
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) wishes to recruit a competent person for the post of Programme Assistant
LEVEL: G-6
LOCATION: Dar Es Salaam.
DURATION: Fixed Term position.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Programme Assistant (G-6) provides operational support to all programme and project activities of the FAO Representation. He / she works under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative and the direct supervision of the Assistant FAOR (Programme). The incumbent works with wide latitude for independent action and gives guidance and advice to clerical and/ or junior programme support staff. The incumbent performs the following duties:
· Ensure effective operational support to the FAO programmes and projects executed in the country; ensure consistency with the Organization’s operational requirements and the country’s rules and regulations.
· Participate in the identification, formulation and preparation of programme, project and workplan proposals for the country; participate in the preparation of draft project documents; ensure their high quality and consistency.
· Prepare requests for necessary financial and human resources and the procurement of goods and services for the projects; collaborate with the Assistant FAORs, the Administrative Assistant, and the Project Managers on the above duties.
· Coordinate the monitoring and review of project implementation to ensure that all operations activities are carried out in line with the work plan and the project document; coordinate the review of inputs, expenditures and time frames; identify inconsistencies and delays and, when necessary, propose corrective measures to overcome operational constraints.
· Coordinate the collection, maintenance, distribution and consolidation of technical and operations data: analyze and summarize data from various sources, including FAO corporate systems, such as COIN (Country Office Information System) and FPMIS (Field Programme Management Information System), Datawarehouse, country data bases, et al.
· Prepare Quarterly Project Implementation Reports (QPIR) and any other periodic and ad hoc reports and ensure their timely submission to project management.
· Prepare and finalize correspondence of operational nature regarding programme / project matters; initiate correspondence to verify data, answer queries, and obtain additional information on transactions and operational matters, as required.
· Ensure appropriate recording and administrative processing of requests and inputs for FAO’s assistance received by Government, donors or other organizations.
· Actively support the streamlining of procedures and practices and the introduction of new information technologies to the office and projects.
· Accompany field visits to project sites and/or accompany project managers and/or experts in their meetings with donors and government officials.
· Advise other office and programme / project staff in the areas of operations and project management; arrange meetings on day-to-day programme / project matters.
· Brief and train lower level programme support staff regarding all aspects of the job, ensuring adherence to procedures, guidelines and work requirements; ensure accuracy and diligence of the work provided.
· Perform other duties as required.
Qualification Requirements
Education
Secondary school education. Specialized training in project management and programme operations.
Experience:
Six years of progressively responsible programme and project management experience.
Languages:
Good knowledge of English and Swahili.
IT Skills:
Ability to effectively use standard office software, such as MS Office (Windows, Word, Outlook, Excel, Power Point, Exchange). Ability to effectively use project management software and other information systems /databases.
Work Management Skills:
Good understanding of the purpose and functions of the technical programme. Systematic and efficient approach to work assignments, good judgement and analytical ability.
Interpersonal Communications and Teamwork Skills:
The incumbent must possess a cooperative spirit, flexibility and openness to work in an international environment. Tact, courtesy, cultural empathy and a high level of trustworthiness are essential personal attributes.
Desirable qualifications
Training in project management and programme operations. Familiarity with FAO and/or UN field programme management procedures and guidelines. Knowledge of FAO’s corporate information systems, such as COIN (Country Office Information System) and FPMIS (Field Programme Management Information System).
University degree in agriculture, agriculture economics, forestry, fisheries or in any other field related to the work of the organization, will be considered an advantage.
Mode of Application:
Interested candidates should complete the FAO Personal History Form accessible at
and submit it with an application letter and updated CV to the following address:
FAO- Representative
P.O. Box 2, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
or deliver your application to:
FAO-office, SIDA House H, Ada Estate, Ali Hassan Mwinyi Road (opposite DSTV), DSM, Tanzania
Candidates are encouraged to submit their applications electronically: Email: FAO-TZ@fao.org
Closing date: Tuesday, 14th August, 2012.