FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
Professional Vacancy Announcement No: TCOM-194-07-PRJ
Deadline For Application: 7 November 2007
Position Title Senior Project Operations Officer
Duty Station Kabul, Afghanistan
Grade Level P-5
Duration One Year (Extendable)
CCOG Code: 1.A.1.1.
Organizational Unit FAO Representation in Afghanistan

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the general guidance the Chief, Field Programme Monitoring and Coordination Service (TCOM) and the managerial and administrative supervision of the FAO Representative in Afghanistan (FAOR), in close liaison with the Senior Operations Officer, RAPR, the incumbent will be responsible for the coordination and operational management of the projects which are under operational responsibility of the FAOR. In particular, he/she will:

  • lead the various decentralized project management teams in the operational management of their projects and follow up pipeline project development, including supervision of the outputs of the projects and programmes;
  • ensure the timely provision of inputs (personnel, training, equipment and subcontracts) of projects, initiating correspondence with RAP, headquarters and with government authorities and funding agencies;
  • ensure that data in the Field Programme Management Information System (FPMIS) relating to EODs, NTEs, composition of Project Task Forces as well as on pipeline projects and delivery estimates are kept up-to-date and that essential project documentation is posted in a timely manner in the FPMIS;
  • monitor field programme/project implementation, prepare analytical reports for the FAO Representative on field programme delivery and alert in a timely manner on major operational issues;
  • arrange technical and administrative/operational support for the management of the project cycle including budgetary management and preparation/submission of necessary budget revisions;
  • ensure that full technical support is provided in a timely manner by the technical support units concerned at all stages of project implementation and lead, undertake and organize project backstopping missions to project sites as necessary;
  • arrange for timely and adequate reporting, including financial/budget reporting, as well as the identification of project follow-up requirements in the country;
  • contribute to the preparation of the National Medium-Term Priority Framework (NMTPF);
  • provide operational clearance for project proposals to be eventually operated in Afghanistan, in collaboration with TCOM in its particular oversight responsibility for the field programme in Afghanistan;
  • advise the FAO Representative on the management and monitoring of the pipeline of field projects in close collaboration with the RAP, TCE, TCAP, TCOM and other units at headquarters and in the field;
  • assist the FAO Representative in country programming and monitoring by providing information for, or comments on, draft programmes and projects;
  • participate in project formulation, draft project documents and related budgets; and contribute to project appraisal;
  • perform other related duties as required.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Candidates should meet the following:

  • Advanced university degree in agriculture, agricultural economics or a field related to the work of the Organization
  • Ten years of experience in planning and/or administering agricultural and rural development field projects, including practical experience in project identification, formulation and operational implementation
  • Working knowledge of English

SELECTION CRITERIA
Candidates will be assessed against the following:

  • Relevance of academic qualifications;
  • Extent of knowledge of operational procedures or technical cooperation procedures of multilateral or bilateral development agencies;
  • Extent and relevance of experience and skills in one or more of the following: project identification, programme/project formulation, analysis, planning and implementation, programme/project management, including relevant administrative procedures;
  • Knowledge of field programme issues in the Asian, Central Asian and Middle Eastern Regions in relation to agriculture and rural development;
  • Demonstrated managerial and leadership capabilities, including initiative and drive;
  • Quality of communication (both oral and written) skills, and interpersonal skills;
  • Ability to work under heavy pressure, to plan and implement field projects and coordinate and evaluate work of others

Please note that all candidates should possess computer/word processing skills and should be capable of working with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
* The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments.

REMUNERATION

Level carries a net salary per year (inclusive of a variable element for post adjustment) from US$ US$ (without dependants) and from US$ to US$ (with dependants)

TO APPLY: Carefully read and follow the Guidelines to applicants

Send your application to:

V.A TCOM-194-07-PRJ
Chief, Field Programme Monitoring and Coordination Service (TCOM)
FAO Via delle Terme di Caracalla 00100 Rome ITALY
Fax No: +39 06 570 56291
E-mail: VA-194-07-PRJ-TCOM

This vacancy is open to male and female candidates. Applications from qualified women candidates and applications from qualified candidates from non/under-represented member states are encouraged. Please note that FAO staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Director-General and may be assigned to any activities or office of the organization.

  FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT

  Post Number: N - Unidentified