Project Coordination and Technical Support Specialist

IMPORTANT NOTICE\: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

• 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 person 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.

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ (FAO) Sub-regional Office for the Pacific (SAP) supports the following 14 member Pacific Island Countries (PICs)\: Cook Islands, Micronesia (the Federated States), Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. FAO SAP is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing strategies with the member countries for addressing sub-regional agriculture, fisheries, food security, nutrition and rural development priorities and is a subsidiary of FAO’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) which is based in Bangkok, Thailand.

FAO SAP operates multiple projects and programmes from various resource partners, in the above-mentioned countries. This position is to recruit a Programme Specialist who can provide technical and project management support to Better Environment module. The incumbent operates with minimal supervision and takes decisions on work priorities for dealing with cases in consultation with reporting manager. Supervision received is focused on the quality of work outputs. Under the Overall supervision of Subregional Coordinator for the Pacific Islands and direct supervision of Better Environment Module Leader and Forestry officer, the Programme Specialist will perform following task mentioned below\:

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will be under the overall supervision of Subregional Coordinator for the Pacific Islands and direct supervision of Better Environment Module Leader and Forestry Officer.

Technical Focus

The incumbent provides administrative and technical support across project management tasks, including assisting with report preparation, data compilation, financial and operational coordination, process improvements, and facilitating communication between teams and partners to ensure smooth programme execution and compliance with FAO guidelines.

Tasks and responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following tasks and responsibilities\:
General Project Management Support Activities
• Provide technical support to LTO/BE Module leader and Natural Resource Officer in the preparation of the technical reports and communications materials.
• Respond to a variety of routine queries and provide clarifications on programme and project matters; inform management and team members of processes, procedures and time frames to secure administrative services needed for programme/project execution; initiate correspondence to verify data, obtain additional information when required.
• Review data quality and maintain office records and reference files on various subjects; compile and synthesize data from various sources to support financial analyses on programme/project activities; generate periodic or ad hoc management reports.
• Organize workshops, prepare technical supporting documents, or sending invitations letters, etc.
• Review and make recommendations to improve current programme/project administration procedures and processes.
• Review relevant documents and reports; identify problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaise with relevant parties; identifies and tracks follow-up actions.
• Provide support to prepare written outputs, e.g. drafts background papers, analyses, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.
• Prepare technical synthesis report and case studies by reviewing existing project documents and its achievements.
• Coordinate actions related to timely field project completion/closure, including identification of project follow-up requirements.
• Provide technical support in implementing MTR recommendations
• Support the establishment and maintenance of partnerships with HQ units related to donor liaison, finance, procurement, legal matters, partnerships, and technical specialties as and when required.
• Assist in coordinating communication with other FAO offices and UN Organizations, as well as relevant authorities and partners to obtain/exchange information and ensure coordination for FAO interventions.
• Perform office duties as assigned by the reporting manager.

Specific Tasks
• Ensure the sound operational and financial management of programme activities and provide support to LTO/ NRO / CTA / TA on FAO SAP service requests at the programme level
• Coordinate the implementation of administrative actions of various GEF / GCF / TCP projects/programme, including the coordination of actions undertaken by administrative/operational staff, with a particular emphasis on harmonization of practices and capacity development.
• Ensure proper planning and implementation of TCPs in Better Environment module under the guidance of LTO and liaise with TCP government nominated focal points on regular basis.
• Support the sound management of any other trust fund projects and LOAs and ensure its closure with all appropriate inputs uploaded into the FAO Field Programme Management Information portals.
• Ensure the relevant communication are published form all GEF / GCF / TCP projects and communication database are managed on regular basis.
• Support the BE Module Leader and Natural Resource Officer with the preparation of meetings and other events and provides secretarial support where needed.
• Provide support and ensure that Hand in Hand Initiative, investment plans are developed, and all arrangements made for country participation in HHI Initiative Forum.

FAO Standards and guidelines\:

• Liaison with OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, aligned messaging, and appropriate review and clearance processes.
• All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including\:
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31\: https\://www.fao.org/strategic-framework/en
FAO social media policy and guidelines\: https\://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia
Social Media Branding Guidelines\: https\://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb5044en
FAOSTYLE(https\://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081en
FAO terminology http\://www.fao.org/faoterm
FAO Names Of Countries https\://www.fao.org/nocs/en   
Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff).
• Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor university degree in a field Environment, Climate Change, Forestry, Agriculture, Natural Resource, Project Management / Business Management or a related field.
• At least 3 years of relevant experience in project or programme management or a related field
• Working knowledge (level C) in English.
• National of Samoa or resident of the country with valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical /Functional Skills

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work in a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team.
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable;
• Ability to translate complex and technical communications to a wide and varied audience, in a simple and concise manner,
• Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset
• Extent and relevance of experience in the field of web publishing and social media networks as well as in developing and editing communication, promotional or technical materials,
• Extent and relevance of experience in the preparation and dissemination of communication, promotional or technical materials

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

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing).
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
• Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications.
• For other issues, visit the FAO employment website\: http\://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

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
• 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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