Project Officer

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 countries 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 position is located in the FAO Country Office in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Reporting Lines

The Project Officer reports to the FAO Representative (FAOR) in Pakistan and works in close coordination with the Assistants FAO Representative Programme and Administration, the Heads of Provinces, Operations, Procurement Unit, and other units and teams in FAO Pakistan. He/she receives technical guidance from the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) and relevant units at FAO headquarters.

Technical Focus

Implementation and monitoring of the FAO Strategic Framework.

Key Results

Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support the planning, development and implementation of projects, products and services.

Key Functions

• Provides technical leadership assistance on the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned projects; assists in the review of relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, liaises with relevant parties.
• Coordinates of projects and reviews the assessments of issues and trends for the implementation of projects and the preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies.
• Supervises preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analyses, substantial sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications.
• Contributes to consultative and other meetings, conferences, including proposals for agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations.
• Participates in activities such as structuring of training workshops, seminars; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
• Leads field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties.
• Provides advice on the development of policies and strategies, as well as national protocols and guidelines for projects with specific domains related to FAO's work.

Specific Functions

• Implements the project titled “Livelihood and Food Security Fund in the Food Affected Areas in Pakistan” according to the work plans, budget and service agreement.
• Ensures that expenditures are kept within the resources allotted.
• Manages adjustments to allotments as needed during the course of implementation, in consultation with the Strategic Programme Leaders and heads of Business Units as appropriate.
• Provides leadership on anticipatory action, preparedness, needs assessment, emergency response, coordination, programming, implementation and resource mobilization, in liaison and collaboration with the Food Security Cluster/sector/group and relevant FAO units, if an emergency is activated.
• Supports the Country Office's resource mobilization through strong donor liaison, building innovative partnerships, identification of funding opportunities and leads the development of concept notes, project proposals, response to calls for proposals.
• Supports the effective collection and dissemination of information, in the framework of the knowledge management activities of the Organization and contributes to the development and delivery of effective communication, advocacy and partnership strategies.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in business or public administration, agricultural or agriculture economics, development economics, rural sociology, food security, nutrition, sustainable, or related field.
• Seven years of relevant experience in project or programme management, administration, technical cooperation's related activities, policy advice and analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development, monitoring and evaluation of policies and projects.
• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of one of the other FAO official languages (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, is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of experience in programme, coordination, operations, and management.
• Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project formulation, analysis, planning and implementation.
• Extent of knowledge of planning and budgetary processes and associated tools.
• Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset.