National Operations Specialist

Organizational Setting

FAO, in cooperation with the Government of Malawi and other relevant partners are incepting the project on Ecosystem-based Adaptation for Resilient Watersheds and Communities in Malawi (EbAM). The project aims at building climate resilience in vulnerable watersheds and communities through increasing climate resilience of watershed ecosystems, stabilizing productivity and farmers’ incomes and enhancing enabling environment. Total cost of the project is estimated at USD 53.2 million, which will be co-financed by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), FAO and the Government of Malawi. The project will be implemented in 11 targeted districts in different regions in Malawi over a period of 6 years. Around 575,000 vulnerable people in rural communities will benefit from project interventions and more than 83,000 heIPOres of land will be restored through application of Ecosystem-based Adaptation approach.

Reporting Lines

The National Operations Specialist (NOS) will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR) in Malawi, direct supervision of the International Operations Officer, and will work closely with the FAO EbAM project team and other Executing Entities.

Technical Focus

The National Operations Specialist will support day-to-day EbAM operation actions, including specialized and complex processes and functions, ensuring consistency, timeliness and conformity with relevant FAO manuals, guidelines and procedures.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Assist the Internal Operations Officer in managing day-to-day EbAM operational actions to ensure the effective management of the project cycle in FPMIS including, amongst others, budget monitoring, expenditure forecast and financial reporting, especially preparation of project annual financial report, mid-year financial information and monthly financial delivery updating.
• Review and rationalize expenditures to ensure adherence to the project budget lines; map project expenditures on a monthly basis in consultation with the project Technical Advisor (TA), National Project Manager (NPM) and other project team members.
• Upload and update project data and documentation in FAO corporate systems (FPMIS) to ensure their timeliness and quality; and keep a repository of important project documents, including records on trainings and events, mission reports and technical reports.
• Provide operational support to project internal and external evaluations and audits; and follow up on their findings and recommendations.
• Liaise with the Country Office project team and relevant FAO HQ offices to propose and process project budget revisions; keep a clear record of budget adjustments and follow up as needed.
• Support the formulation and implementation of the project Human Resources (HR) plans; track personnel expenditures and ensure adherence to HR budget lines.
• Support the formulation and implementation of project procurement plans; tract procurement expenditures and ensure adherence to procurement budget lines.
• Assist in project inventory and assets management.
• Perform any other related tasks assigned by the International Operations Officer.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University degree in Business Administration, Rural Development, Management or related fields.
• Five years’ experience in project related functions.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English and Chichewa
• Nationality of Malawi.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Relevance of experience in working with FAO or other UN agencies.
• Relevance of experience in operational processing for investment projects implemented by FAO or other UN agencies.
• Knowledge and strength in computer skills, especially advanced Excel.
• Ability to work with a multidisciplinary team and build good partnerships

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION