Operations Officer

Organizational Setting

FAO's commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

The Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) is responsible for leading FAO's response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO's priority activities in the region. It oversees the network of Country Offices and the Subregional Office for Central Asia (SEC). It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region and, in collaboration with Divisions, Offices and Centres at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities and the implementation of the Organization's strategies through programmes and projects across the region.

The Regional Office supports the formulation and implementation of the Country Programmes and Projects, including Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) and their contribution to the FAO Strategic Framework and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) at the country level, advising Decentralized Offices on corporate priorities such as the Strategic Framework and on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization's Programme of Work and Budget. The Regional Office leads, formulates, implements, monitors and reports on the Organization's programmes and budget in the region and draws management attention to problems, deficiencies and risks.

The Regional Office leads the preparation of the Regional Conferences and the sessions of Statutory Bodies in the region. The Regional Office develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions, including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs) and participates in the United Nations Regional Architecture, such as UN Regional Forums on Sustainable Development and UN Regional Collaborative Platforms and related mechanisms.

The Regional Office delivers an improved, integrated and collaborative business model to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, consistency, innovation, agility and responsiveness in logistical, operational, financial and other support services at all levels to accelerate the achievement of the Organization's programme in the region and ensure compliance with the Internal Control Framework.

The post is located in REU in Budapest, Hungary.

Reporting Lines

The Operations Officer reports to the Senior Field Programme Officer/Budget Holder in the Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia, works closely with the Lead Technical Officer, and under the oversight of the Deputy Regional Representative as de facto Head of Serbia.

Technical Focus

Support the Budget Holder in leading the operational support and project management function of the assigned projects and programmes, mainly the GCF “FP260\: Enhancing the resilience of Serbian forests to ensure energy security of the most vulnerable while contributing to their livelihoods and carbon sequestration (FOREST Invest)”.

Key Results

The provision of operations support services for the delivery of the emergency and resilience programme.

Key Functions

• Supports day-to-day project implementation, monitors project progress and identifies corrective measures to address operational constraints.
• Reviews and monitors the project budget and expenditures, prepares requests and revisions as needed and reviews project transaction listings to identify errors in accounting against budget lines.
• Ensures the completeness and quality of data and documentation in the FAO corporate systems for all assigned operational field projects.
• Prepares programme-level analytical reports (e.g. funding requirements and gaps, project delivery, project performance, etc.).
• Monitors the financial status and expenditure transaction listings of the project, identifies any areas of low delivery or over-expenditure and ensures all expenditures meet the donors' criteria.
• Produces various reports, proposals, programme/project documents, position papers, policy briefs and financial/donor reports.
• Participates in project and programme formulation and provides technical and/or administrative support to ongoing operational emergency and recovery projects.
• Supports resource mobilization activities and maintains effective working relationships with key stakeholders throughout the project cycle, including facilitating monitoring and compliance issues as well as submission of reports, as required.
• Maintains and updates information systems, databases and web pages.
• Performs other duties as required.

Specific Functions

• Ensures the preparation, monitoring and updating of plans, with particular emphasis on budget management, work plan and procurement management, as well as application of corporate recommended tools (including follow-up on procurement plans, stakeholder engagement, environment and social risk management plan as well as technical backstopping, human resources and logistics plans).
• Ensures the Results Framework is complete and up-to-date and that relevant data is collected for regular monitoring of project results.
• Supervises personnel, goods and services of the assigned project, including overseeing the work of partners and service providers.
• Liaises and maintains positive working relations with stakeholders and the project governance mechanism.
• Ensures provision of reports to and receipt of guidance from, governance mechanisms of the project (e.g., Project Task Force and the Project Steering Committee).
• Identifies, mitigates and manages potential risks, reports and escalates issues when necessary, ensuring that the risks are escalated appropriately and solutions discussed and agreed.
• Ensures communications and visibility activities are in line with project plans.
• Leads the preparation and submission of project reports.
• Ensures all deliverables are completed, project documentation is in order, evaluation is supported as needed and preparations for project closure are set up at the end of the project.
• Performs any other tasks as required.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in public or business administration, finance, accounting, economics, social sciences or another field related to the FAO mandate.
• Three 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 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 is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of experience at international level in project implementation and managing field operations.
• Extent and relevance of experience in supporting the implementation of complex multi-stakeholder projects.
• Ability to develop and manage plans for project implementation and coordination of operations.
• Familiarity with UN administrative, operational and financial procedures and understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset.