Programme Officer

The Programme Officer provides strategic and operational support to the Office of the Deputy Director-General (DDG) at FAO headquarters in Rome, focusing on key organizational priorities, special initiatives, and flagship programmes. The role involves fostering collaboration across Divisions/Offices/Centres and external partners to support FAO's delivery and strategic coordination.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, monitor and evaluate assigned programme/projects.
• Participate in the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects; monitor and analyse programme/project development and implementation.
• Review relevant documents and reports; identify problems and issues to be addressed and propose corrective actions; liaise with relevant parties; identify and track follow-up actions.
• Assist in policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies.
• Prepare various written outputs, e.g. drafts background papers, analyses, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications.
• Undertake outreach activities; conduct training workshops, seminars, etc.; make presentations on assigned topics/activities.
• Coordinate activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepare related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).
• Provide support on strategic and policy matters concerning special initiatives and events under the key responsibilities of the DDG, including chairmanship and championship roles.
• Coordinate the development, management, implementation and monitoring of various DDG-led initiatives assigned to the Programme Officer, in liaison and cooperation with relevant Divisions/Offices/Centres (DOCs) and external partners.
• Contribute to leading the FAO MuNe Network initiatives, including the FAO Villages Recognition Initiative, in close collaboration with the Office of Communications (OCC), relevant Divisions/Offices/Centres (DOCs) and external partners.
• Support the preparation, coordination and organization of the annual Global Working Conference of FAO Representatives (GWC).
• Contribute to the strategic coordination of Decentralized Offices, as and when needed.
• Contribute to activities under the 'Four Betters', specifically Better Life initiatives to advance the achievement of the FAO Strategic Framework.
• Prepare presentations on assigned topics and provide support to the DDG Reporting Line in communication and advocacy activities.
• Perform other duties as required.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in public administration, social science, political science, international development, international relations, environmental or agricultural studies or other discipline relevant to the work of the Organization.
• Five years of relevant experience in international cooperation for development, project or programme management, administration or related areas.
• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
• Candidates should be 32 years of age or younger as of 31 December of the year of application.
• Experience in related fields such as climate change, natural resource management, food and nutrition security, agricultural development and disaster risk reduction is relevant.
• Experience in the preparation, editing and revision of technical/scientific documents and in organizing meetings and workshops.
• Experience in supporting partnerships with UN agencies, NGOs as well as donors and government institutions and agencies.
• Working knowledge of another FAO language would be an asset.
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable.

Skills

• Project Management
• Programme Management
• International Cooperation
• Technical Document Development
• Workshop Organization
• Partnership Development
• Climate Change
• Natural Resource Management
• Food Security
• Nutritional Security
• Agricultural Development
• Disaster Risk Reduction
• Strategic Coordination
• Operational Support
• Bilingual Communication
• Public Administration
• Social Science Research
• Political Science
• International Development

Languages

English, Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish