Operations Officer

Job Posting: 28/Jun/2024
Closure Date: 19/Jul/2024, 4:59:00 PM
Organizational Unit: FAO Coordination Office for the West Bank and Gaza Strip Programme
Job Type: Staff position
Type of Requisition: Professional Project
Grade Level: P-4
Primary Location: WBGS-Gaza City
Duration: Fixed-term: one year with possibility of extension
Post Number: 2010312
CCOG Code: 1A11

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

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• 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.

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

The FAO Coordination Office for the West Bank and Gaza Strip (WBGS) Programme implements the Country Programming Framework for Palestine to enhance the wellbeing of Palestinian people by making the agrifood system more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable in alignment with national policies and strategies and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSCDF).
The position is located in the FAO Coordination Office for the West Bank and Gaza Strip in East Jerusalem.

Reporting Lines
The Operations Officer reports to the Head of Office and works in close collaboration with the Emergency and Rehabilitation Coordinator/Head of Programme and relevant project personnel, and in consultation with relevant Corporate Services in headquarters/Regional Offices (e.g. Finance, Procurement, Donor Liaison and Legal).

Technical Focus
Leads and coordinates the operational support function of the field programme, including development, emergency and rehabilitation projects.

Key Results
Effective and efficient coordination, as well as provision of operational support to field programme and project activities.

Key Functions
• Manages day-to-day operations on matters relating to the implementation of FAO field programmes, including emergency, rehabilitation and development project operations.
• Participates in the design and formulation of project proposals, ensures quality assurance under different funding arrangements.
• Coordinates project budget preparation, financial control, human resource management, travel, logistics, missions and operation backstopping to field offices.
• Oversees the support and strengthening of the operational structure, including training of national personnel, to ensure the necessary operational capacity is maintained for the implementation of the FAO field programme.
• Coordinates the preparation of emergency, rehabilitation and development project work plans, monitors progress and identifies corrective measures to overcome operational constraints.
• Liaises with FAO technical units to ensure technical quality in programme and project activities.
• Analyses the government requests for emergency, rehabilitation and development assistance and develops project and programme proposals to mobilize donor (and aid programmes of the UN system) funds for FAO operations in line with the Country Programming Framework (CPF).
• Supports resource mobilization efforts by liaising with donors, (in line with the Resource Mobilization Strategy).
• Coordinates the preparation of briefs, financial and programme/project implementation reports, including final statements to governments and donors.
• Builds and maintains partnerships with relevant stakeholders and/or partners to develop capacity for efficient field programme/project delivery.
• Coordinates field monitoring, programming and assessment missions as required to assess the emerging needs and implementation of the project as well as to plan project activities.
• Liaises with other UN organizations and partners (non-governmental organizations, national authorities and donors, etc.) at the appropriate level on emergency response and development assistance.
• Coordinates and participates in technical and international meetings.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Specific Functions
• Coordinates the overall project's operations for FAO WBGS and day-to-day administration of the FAO WBGS Office including personnel, premises, assets and vehicle fleet, ensures compliance with the United Nations Department for Safety and Security (UNDSS) security requirements for personnel, premises and assets and participates in relevant UNDSS coordination mechanisms.
• Oversees the budget management of assigned projects acting on behalf of the Budget Holder, including proposed budget revisions and financial reporting.
• Participates in the preparation and formulation of project proposals according to FAO's procedures and prepares project documents for technical clearance and final approval and, where necessary, identifies corrective measures to overcome operational constraints.
• Coordinates the operationalization and start-up of projects as per project work plans in close collaboration with the relevant project team members.
• Monitors project expenditures, periodically revises the projects' financial status and alerts project managers to impending under/over expenditures; ensures timely submission of financial reports to donors and reviews project transaction listings with the objective of identifying errors in accounting against budget lines.
• Ensures the complete and quality of data and documentation in the FAO corporate systems for all assigned operational field projects/activities.
• Provides guidance to members of the FAO WBGS Operations and Administration teams on relevant procedures to be followed.
• Supervises assigned project staff and provides technical and operational guidance accordingly.
• Participates in and chairs interview panels for the recruitment of selected national and international personnel.
• Contributes to maintaining liaison with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)'s Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (PAPP), other UN Organizations, government authorities and other partners as needed to ensure smooth operations of FAO interventions.
• Enhances regular data analytics and reporting mechanisms to identify emerging financial trends, challenges, and opportunities within individual projects and the country program and provides insights to aid in strategic decision-making.
• Strengthens the integration of sustainability good practices across the FAO premises and operations in the country, covering environmental and social dimensions.
• Introduces a comprehensive risk management strategy that includes identifying potential risks (operational, financial, security), developing mitigation plans and conducting regular reviews to ensure risks are effectively and timely managed.
• Forecasts and monitors annual programme delivery; estimates and monitors the Office's Administrative and Operational Support (AOS) budget earnings and expenditure.
• Performs other duties as required.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in business administration and management, public administration, international relations, economics, agriculture, or other field related to the work of the Organization.
• Seven years of relevant experience in development and emergency/rehabilitation programme/project management/operations and support.
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – 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
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of experience in field programme/project operations in the food security and agriculture sector.
• Familiarity with FAO's Project Cycle guidelines and knowledge of FAO processes and administrative systems is considered a strong asset.
• Extent and relevance of experience in liaising with international donor organizations and development partners and in preparing proposals for funding, monitoring budgets and preparing financial reports in donor specific formats.
• Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project management.
• Extent and relevance of experience in leading teams effectively.

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Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.
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GENERAL INFORMATION

• FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment
• Extension of fixed term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of funds
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
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CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link: https://commonsystem.org/cp/default.asp
Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include:
• Dependency allowances
• Rental subsidy
• Education grant for children
• Home leave travel
• 30 working days of annual leave per year
• Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund
• International health insurance; optional life insurance
• Disability protection

FAO encourages a positive workplace culture to increase inclusivity and diversity within its workforce. FAO applies measures in which all staff members contribute equally and in full to the work and development of the Organization. This includes:
• elements of family-friendly policies
• flexible working arrangements
• standards of conduct

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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/
• 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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