Operations Specialist

Organizational Setting

FAO Afghanistan is investing across all 34 provinces of Afghanistan in resilience reinforcing actions that focus on protecting agriculture livelihoods and local ecosystems, boosting local production of nutritious foods and cash-incomes, and safeguarding critical agriculture sectoral development gains achieved over the past couple of decades through revitalizing rural markets and economy. In particular, FAO provides a combination of humanitarian and basic needs/non-humanitarian assistance to female and male farmers and herders across Afghanistan in the agriculture, livestock, irrigation and natural resources sub-sectors through its projects and programs, as described in the 2024 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) and the United Nations Strategic Framework for Afghanistan (UNSFA) 2023-2025, specifically under UNSFA Priority 2 Economic Opportunities and Resilient Livelihoods

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR) or Deputy FAO Representative (DFAOR) in Afghanistan. S/he will work under the direct supervision of the Operations Support Team Leader and the overall guidance of the Head of Operations Unit. The direct supervisor or as assigned, will be responsible for all day-to-day supervision, technical guidance and the performance evaluation.

Technical Focus

The Operations Specialist will provide relevant technical assistance for efficient implementation on operation matters.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Act as a focal point for assigned project operational matters, organize and handle the day-to-day operational activities of the field programme (including emergency, rehabilitation and development projects,) and take action in consultation with supervisors on any issues which arise during the execution period;
• Develop and maintain the online and offline Afghanistan Programme database which will keep track of all the FAO projects in the country with project summary and data;
• Develop a system to ensure 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;
• Develop and maintain database/MIS for FAOAF that will facilitate and track the internal administrative processes of functions from different users at field level and to the focal units at the FAO Representation through eManagement.
• Ensure that the web-based tools are capable of preparing statistical tables, graphs, maps and other information outputs;
• Organize project task force meetings (as required) and act as the secretariat to such meetings;
• Update the status of Logframe Matrix, work-plan and budget in Field Programme Management Information System for pipeline and ongoing projects;
• Contribute towards the timely provision of project inputs (personnel, technical support services, subcontracts, training, equipment and supplies) directly by the Organization or, when appropriate, through contractors;
• 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 and all data stored in the database is checked for accuracy;
• Monitor progress of the projects, facilitate/support operational and financial closure and, where necessary, identify corrective measures to overcome operational constraints;
• Contribute towards ensuring the timely preparation and submission of the project progress/implementation, terminal reports and any other reports required by the Organization and contribute towards the preparation of analytical reports on project performances, as required;
• Coordinate action concerning the completion of field projects and arrange for timely and adequate reporting, including identification of project follow-up requirements;
• Analyze the project status and take action or provide recommendations to the responsible units and officers for corrective actions on timely basis;
• Analyse country level portfolio and draft presentation to report country level status of projects/ programme;
• Provide operational support and promote capacity development at the country-level;
• Participate in the identification and preparation of concept note and project formulation as required, and provide necessary support on the development of project work plans, operational clearance, appraisal and approval process in FPMIS, quality assurance
• Perform any other tasks as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification in Economics, Agriculture and Irrigation Engineering, Business Administration or relevant field, with 6 years and above, relevant experience in operations, project management, and administration & finance, particularly in the Agriculture, Irrigation engineering field, or in business administration field. At least 4 years of UN or INGO experience is desirable.
• Master’s degree or equivalent qualification in Economics, Agriculture and Irrigation Engineering, Business Administration or relevant field, with 4 years and above, relevant experience in operations, project management, and administration & finance, particularly in the Agriculture, Irrigation engineering field, or in business administration field. At least 2 years of UN or INGO experience is desirable.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English and local language(s) (Pashto and/or Dari).
• National of Afghanistan.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Working experience in complex programme management;
• Previous work experience with the UN is an advantage;
• Good knowledge of corporate information systems;
• Experience working with donors and other partners;
• Additional relevant professional experience in Afghanistan, particularly in project cycle management, public administration or project operations is a strong advantage;
• Excellent data visualization skills;
• Excellent data reading and data reporting skills.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION