Prog. Entity |
Time Frame |
Title |
PWB 2004-05 |
MTP 2006-07 |
MTP 2008-09 |
MTP 2010-11 |
MTP Total |
34000 |
Continuing |
FAO Representatives |
76,242 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
340P1 |
Continuing |
Secure Working Conditions for FAO Personnel in the Field |
- |
462 |
462 |
462 |
1,386 |
340P2 |
Continuing |
Oversight, Operations and Management Support Services to the Country Offices |
- |
5,512 |
5,512 |
5,512 |
16,536 |
340S1 |
Continuing |
Support to the Field Programme |
2,238 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
340S2 |
Continuing |
Support to National Development Programmes and Humanitarian Activities by FAORs |
- |
62,705 |
62,705 |
62,705 |
188,115 |
340S3 |
Continuing |
Advocacy and Outreach of FAO Activities at Country Level |
- |
9,856 |
9,856 |
9,856 |
29,568 |
Total Programme of Work |
78,480 |
78,535 |
78,535 |
78,535 |
235,605 | ||
Less External Income |
4,541 |
4,541 |
4,541 |
4,541 |
13,623 | ||
Net Appropriation |
73,939 |
73,994 |
73,994 |
73,994 |
221,982 | ||
Real Growth |
1,800 |
3,600 |
5,400 |
10,800 | |||
Net Appropriation with Real Growth |
75,794 |
77,594 |
79,394 |
232,782 | |||
Growth in Net Appropriation (Percentage) |
2.4% |
4.9% |
7.3% |
4.9% | |||
490. The FAO Representatives (FAORs) play a programming, policy and coordination advisory role in food and agriculture at country level, ensuring: (i) effective FAO responses to the needs of the government; (ii) advocacy for FAO' s policy/regulatory frameworks and/or treaties; (iii) active membership in the United Nations Country Team, with inputs to the common country assessment (CCA), the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and follow-up to international UN Conferences; (iv) contribution to improved aid management and donor coordination at country level; (v) timely programming of FAO's assistance in close consultation with governments; and (vi) continuous monitoring of the main events and developments that effect the state of food and agriculture in the country and the assessment of FAO priorities.
491. They also contribute to the SACOI on Leveraging of resources for FAO and its Members, particularly through FAO's field programmes, including analysis and screening of requests from the government for FAO assistance, project identification and appraisal as well as project resource mobilization. This involves embedding FAO's project pipeline in the context of government priorities for agricultural development and food security. They also have a key role in coordinating the contributions from FAO's technical and liaison units to project development and liaising with governments, UN System, civil society and donor representatives consonant with the SACOI on Broadening partnerships and alliances. They act as budget holders and ensure delivery for FAO's non-emergency projects with support from Regional Operations Branches and TCO; provide administrative and operational support to the implementation of emergency field projects (for which TCE is budget holder) and contribute to national emergency prevention and response (early warning, assessment of impact and needs).
492. FAORs have a key role in the SACOI on Communicating FAO's messages and policies at country level, liaising with the media and organizing advocacy events such as World Food Day and related TeleFood events, as well as National Alliances Against Hunger. They also contribute to UN advocacy activities, facilitate transfer of information, technology and knowledge between FAO and its partners at country level and ensure a two-way flow of data and information between the Organization and member countries. This encompasses: (i) food and agricultural data collection and dissemination; (ii) promotion of WAICENT and the virtual library; (iii) operating a reference library; (iv) maintaining a Web site; and (v) building networks and other institutional mechanisms to support transfer of knowledge and information.
493. Under this Major Programme, the Office for Coordination of Normative, Operational and Decentralized Activities (OCD) advises on the establishment and development of country offices, and provides management and operational support. It ensures integrated oversight management and operations of the FAOR network and facilitates the equitable provision of support services and the uniform application of policies and procedures. OCD also monitors functioning of the network of country offices, including guidance on their roles and functions, contributing to the SACOI on Continuing to improve the management process. It advises senior management on operational issues regarding UN common services and premises and prepares regular reports to senior management and Governing Bodies on these issues. Moreover, OCD provides: (i) human resources policy advice on matters concerning the FAOR network and other decentralized offices; (ii) the full range of personnel services to more than 1200 staff including training and staff development; and (iii) budgetary, administrative, information technology and communication and logistic support services to Country Offices. The structure of entities reflects both this overall OCD support and the activities of the FAORs themselves.
Real Growth Proposal
The additional funds would allow to offset at least in part the severe net reduction of US$ 5.2 million for the biennium 2004-05. This would alleviate some of the negative impact of the cost containment measures instituted in the 2004-05 biennium, restoring responsiveness and capacity for service delivery by FAO Representations at a more sustainable level. Removal of part of the current budgetary constraints would clearly strengthen FAO's participation in UN Country Team activities (e.g. CCA/UNDAF), country-level support to normative programmes and the advocacy/outreach work of FAORs and reduce the impact of reductions on the visibility and effectiveness of FAO's work at country level.
494. Field activities can only be carried out if the security of personnel, assets and operations is safeguarded.
495. Improved security of staff working in the field
- Number of field offices that have implemented field security instructions issued by OCD
- Number of field offices having conducted field security training
- Number of field offices that are compliant with mandatory minimum equipment, communications and residential security standards
- Number of FAO Representatives having participated in regular local UN system security meetings
496. Efficient central oversight, operations and management support services and a well established focal point are essential in the context of an expanding network, and of increasing responsibilities and level of authority entrusted to the country offices. This entity would ensure integrated management of the network and facilitate the uniform application of policy, guidance and procedures as well as provision of support services.
497. An improved contribution of the expanding country offices network (currently covering more than 130 locations) to the normative and operational work of the Organization; consolidated and cost-effective oversight, operational and management support mechanisms; cost-effective delivery of FAO services and contribution of the country offices network to programme development and implementation; optimized use of human and financial resources.
- Resources in kind and in cash mobilized
- Number of briefings organized
- Number of training courses organized
- Number of guidelines released
- Number of staff selected
- Number of field missions implemented
- Timely follow-up on Audit reports recommendations
- Number of key communications drafted
- Number of offices established
- Number and quality of periodic reports and ad hoc reports on the FAOR network
- Number of personnel actions taken
- Feedback from FAORs on support provided
- Feedback from country offices on financial and other support provided
- Number of Management Letters issued to country offices
- Effective use of COIN (Country Offices Information System)
- Performance of IT infrastructure in Country Offices
498. FAORs are the prime interface with countries of accreditation for the development and implementation of the field programme, including technical assistance and emergency responses. This responsibility has been further enhanced with the transfer of the operational responsibility for national technical assistance projects. The exercise of one of the Organization's key constitutional functions depends of the quality and timeliness of support.
499. Relevant and timely services to address needs of countries, including responsiveness to emergencies.
- Size of the field programme
- Volume of pipeline of project proposals
- Annual delivery performance
- Quality and timeliness of periodic project progress reports
- Annual delivery performance of emergency projects
- Compliance with TCE's operational guidance
- Evidence of role of the FAOR in mobilizing FAO's emergency response
- Effective participation in UN initiatives including CCA, UNDAF, CAP, Thematic Groups
- Catalytic role for the ratification of international treaties (number of ratifications)
- Satisfaction of host government with quality of FAOR's contribution to national policy discussions
500. FAO programmes need to translate, where relevant, into effective country level action. The country offices are instrumental in facilitating these outreach activities and ensuring a two-way flow of information between the Organization and countries. They play a pivotal role in the transfer of information and knowledge between FAO and local partners.
501. Improved communications with countries. Updated information on agricultural sector. Wider understanding of FAO's mandate and mission.
- Level of participation in WFD and TeleFood activities
- Number of users of FAO library
- Number of users of FAO Web site
- Evidence of FAO visibility in the media (number of times that FAO is mentioned in printed and electronic media and quality of this media attention)
- Satisfaction of national partners with the clarity of FAO's messages and the correctness of their understanding of what FAO does
- Number of FAORs with functioning reference library
- Statistics of access to local Web site
- Number of publications distributed
- Number of FAORs with direct connection and capacity for virtual library access
- Number of FAORs with direct connections and dedicated space and computers for use of WAICENT
