Field Administrative and Financial Specialist

The Regional Office for RLC 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 ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the Region and, in collaboration with departments and divisions at Headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities. RLC also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organizational Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. RLC develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs).

The Regional Office supports regional policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region.

The post is part of the Rapid-Growth Country Offices Support Team in Latin America and Caribbean (LAC).

Reporting Lines

The Field Administrative and Financial Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the Coordinator of the Rapid Growth Countries Support Team, in close coordination with the RLC Field Programme and Network Programme Units as well as the RLC-CSF Finance Outposted Officer.

The overall objective of the consultancy is the strengthening of capacity of Rapid Growth Country Offices within LAC Region in administrative and finance matters, to make them able to face the growth of project portfolio within their specific context.

• Advise Country Offices, which are within the scope of the Support Team, in capacity building in the areas of purchasing and contracting, travel and finance through onsite and remote trainings.
• Provide in-country or remote training to newly recruited staff (from the project or CO) as well as refresher trainings as needed and coaching staff, preparing materials and maintaining the knowledge base.
• Support the Country Offices, which are within the scope of the Support Team, in revising internal administrative procedures according to the Manual Section and local context aiming the improvement of current procedures in order to cope with the increased workload efficiently. Assure the operational efficiency, the segregation of duties and the clear definition of roles and responsibilities within the administrative-operative team.
• Problem solving assistance to countries within the scope of the Support Team on administrative and finance issues arising during the project life, handling incoming queries and giving them quick and efficient solutions and / or channelling their queries to the Headquarters or SSC Budapest; participating on system testing.
• Provide guidance and assistance on implementing most effective business processes of the day-to-day operations.
• Prepare review and analyse training materials, handbooks, SOPs and workflows to be implemented in rapid growth Country Offices.
• Support countries in the monitoring of their budgets and financial reports.
• Compile and circulate good administrative-operational practices between countries.
• Undertake field missions to support the above functions in priority and most needed Countries, as feasible and appropriate.
• Provide administrative/logistical assistance to the Support Team as well as to the organization of regional trainings and workshops
• Undertake other tasks that maybe relevant to support countries administrative and financial capacities.

• University degree in administrative, finance and related fields.
• Seven years of related experience in relevant administrative/financial posts.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English and Spanish is required.

• 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
• Extent and relevance of experience in assessing the state of current internal controls and implementing needed improvements
• Experience in implementing business process improvements;
• Experience in preparing financial progress and monitoring reports;
• Experience in working with/or in government departments, national and international NGOs and other UN agencies is highly desirable.