Tasks ana Responsibilities:

Specifically, the Operations and Programming Specialist will undertake the following tasks on the project;

• Serve as a focal point for all project operational matters, organize and handle the day-to-day operational activities of the project.
• Take the lead in organizing project planning and technical meetings, and provide secretariat support.
• Ensure the timely provision of project inputs (personnel, technical support services, sub-contracts, training, equipment and supplies) directly by the Organization or, when appropriate, through contractors and in liaison with other support units.
• Retrieve, enter, select and analyse data from a wide variety of sources, including FAO’s corporate systems and data bases; verify accuracy of data documents.
• Support the streamlining of procedures and practices and the introduction of new information technologies to the office/project.
• Participate in the preparation of project work plans, look out for inefficiencies and identify corrective measures to overcome operational constraints.
• Support and facilitate the organisation of workshops and conferences related to the project.
• Review and monitor the project budget, prepare requests and revisions as required, maintain and monitor budget expenditures and resources, review project transaction listings with a view to identify errors in accounting against budget lines.
• Work closely with the M&E specialist in monitoring the implementation of Letters of Agreement and confirming the quality of submitted reports, as well as assisting in certifying the compliance for subsequent disbursements of instalments.
• Contribute to consultative and other meetings, conferences, including proposals for agenda topics, identifying meeting participants, preparation of documents and presentations.
• Provide input to the Project Implementation Reports and any other reports required by the organization or donor.
• Ensure the completeness and quality of data and documentation in the FAO corporate systems (e.g., GRMS, FPMIS), for the SoilFER project.
• Prepare analytical reports on project performances as required.
• Coordinate action concerning the completion of the project and arrange for timely and adequate reporting, including identification of project follow-up requirements.
• Facilitate compilation of data and information from different project components for development of comprehensive project reports. This includes participation and contribution to the project knowledge management activities.
• Produce internal reports according to FAO cooperate requirements.
• Prepare project updates and situational reports as required by FAO HQ and Regional and Sub-Regional Offices
• Carry out other specific operational tasks for programme/project implementation in the Representation.

Minimum Requirements:

Education:

• University Degree in Project Management, Development Studies, Business Administration, Agricultural Economics, or any related field.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of experience in project operational planning, programming, as well as providing administrative and operational support to projects.

Language:

• Working knowledge of English and the official language of the country.