Jobs at Food and Agriculture Organization

The Programme Associate (Budget) plays a lead role in the coordination of programme/ projects support services. He/ she performs a broad range of programme, planning and budgeting activities requiring in-depth analysis and interpretation of relevant policies, procedures and practices. The incumbent provides procedural guidance to managers and staff in the office or location.

Supervision Received/Exercised

• The Programme Associate (Budget) reports to the Programme and Budget Officer. Work is performed autonomously, showing a high degree of initiative and independent judgment. Supervision received is focused on facilitating service delivery. The incumbent provides guidance and training to programme support staff.

Working Relationships

• The Programme Associate (Budget) maintains a wide range of contacts with managers, staff and stakeholders inside and outside the office. The incumbent collaborates closely with colleagues in other offices and the corporate services, ensuring the quality and consistency of programme/ projects support services.

Key Functions/Results

• Coordinate the preparation, submission, revision and follow-up of the Programme of Work and Budget, and the monitoring and provision of information on the implementation of the PWB;
• Coordinate, review and analyze the Periodic Budgetary Reports for final submission to the Office of Strategic Planning;
• Assemble and synthesize data from corporate data bases to facilitate the analysis of programmes, projects or activities, and to draft periodic or ad hoc management reports;
• Monitor projects and ensure the maintenance and retrieval of programming reference material, documentation, data and information;
• Consolidate and monitor various reports on human resources planning and expenditures, the use of non-staff resources, the office communication and publishing plans, IT plans, and travel schedules;
• Screen incoming correspondence to identify issues requiring further attention and draft related correspondence;
• Support knowledge building and knowledge sharing across the office through training of staff and briefing of budget holders on administrative/budgetary/planning/programming/financial procedures and processes;
• Review current processes and make recommendations to improve programme/projects administration procedures;
• Perform other functions as required.

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Main Purpose

• The Office Associate leads and coordinates the office and manages the support functions of the Office. He/she ensures the smooth flow of office work and information by setting priorities and organizing the day-to-day work. The job role requires in-depth knowledge and interpretation of office policies, procedures and practices. The incumbent provides procedural guidance to managers and staff in the division/ department or location.

Supervision Received/Exercised

• The Office Associate reports to Assistant Director-General / Regional Representative (RAF). Work is performed autonomously, showing a high degree of initiative and independent judgment. Supervision received is focused on facilitating service delivery. The incumbent effectively organizes and supervises other office support staff and provides relevant guidance and training.

Working Relationships

• The incumbent maintains a wide range of contacts with managers, staff and counterparts both within and outside the Organization. Work relations may be on a high organizational level, requiring very good communication skills and experienced handling of issues.

Key Functions/Results

• Analyze, manage and monitor a large and diversified volume of complex correspondence and documentation, often of confidential and sensitive nature; ensure appropriate routing, reply, prioritization, accuracy, consistency, informal translation and timeliness; bring complex, sensitive or priority issues to the supervisor’s attention;
• Provide information and guidance to staff at all levels within the organizational unit; ensure understanding of intent and deadlines;
• Arrange appointments and duty travels, maintain supervisor’s calendar and receive visitors;
• Organize high-level meetings, finalize agendas and invitations, ensure the production and distribution of documentation, take notes and prepare minutes, and follow up on required actions;
• Organize and coordinate the work performed by other office support staff; coordinate activities across the division, including divisional issues, deadlines and other requests;
• Establish internal procedures and tracking systems for correspondence and documents; verify that work is done in accordance with corporate standards; monitor work progress;
• Respond to written inquiries and draft responses to non-routine questions; coordinate responses to sensitive enquiries on behalf of the supervisor;
• Follow up on the preparation of reports, correspondence, briefing notes and other documents; review documents and make changes to their format or style in accordance with standard practices; conduct research and prepare briefing materials for the supervisor; provide informal translations into another official language;
• Evaluate ongoing support requirements of the office, adapt service provision to meet changing needs and solve operational problems as required;
• Ensure the initiation of a variety of transactions in the organization’s computerized administrative systems;
• Perform other duties as required.

Impact Of Work

• The incumbent’s work impacts directly on the smooth and efficient operations of the Office. He/she plays a lead role in the coordination and provision of the office support services for the successful achievement of the Division’s mandate

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

Education: Secondary School Education

Experience: Five years of relevant experience in management and office support work

Languages: Working knowledge (Level C) of English

IT Skills: Very good knowledge of the MS Office applications, Internet and office technology equipment

Competencies

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

Technical Skills

• Thorough knowledge of communication and documentation standards
• Thorough knowledge of corporate computerized financial / travel / human resources systems
• Thorough knowledge of the organizational structure, administrative procedures and policies and matters of protocol

Desirable Qualifications And Skills

• Experience in providing secretarial services to senior leaders in an international and multicultural environment
• Working knowledge of French is considered a strong asset
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Proven organizational skills for self and office’s coordination