National Operations Officer

The National Operations Officer provides operational support to programme and project technical coordination at the FAO Subregional Office for Eastern Africa. The role involves managing daily operations of field projects, supporting programme development, and ensuring smooth project implementation in line with local conditions and organizational objectives.

Responsibilities

• Acts as a focal point for all matters related to the daily operation of the field project(s) assigned.
• Contributes to the preparation and/or assessment of new programme and project proposals, and reviews them for the purpose of operational clearance, with a view to assessing their operational feasibility.
• Plans and prepares project task force consultations on behalf of the FAOR/Budget Holder and ensures proper secretarial support for such meetings.
• Ensures timely provision of inputs for personnel, technical support services, sub-contracts, training, equipment/supplies and other needs related to project operations.
• Participates in the preparation of project work plans, monitors progress and, where, necessary, identifies corrective measures to overcome operational constraints.
• Manages the project budget and prepares revisions as required.
• Coordinates the timely preparation and submission of project progress and terminal reports required (as specified in the project agreement) as well as preparing analytical reports on the Representation's portfolio as a whole.
• Coordinates actions concerning the timely completion/closure of field projects, including identification of project follow-up requirements.
• Ensures the quality of data/documentation in the Field Programme Management Information System (FPMIS) for all pipeline and operational field projects in the country.
• Provides guidance and advice to project staff in operations and administrative matters in particular to the Budget Holder (BH), Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and project manager (PM).
• Contributes to project task force meetings and provide secretariat support to BH, LTO and PM.
• Supports project proponents with the Operational Partners Implementation Modality (OPIM) package preparation.
• Supports project proponents with the OPIM package approval from RAF and the Project Support Division (PSS).
• Assists project proponents with the signature and operationalization of the Operational Partners Agreement (OPA).
• Provides support and guidance to Operational Partners (OP) as needed.
• Monitors OPA disbursements and OP delivery including reviews of OP disbursement requests, financial and narrative reports.
• Monitors and advises project teams on OPA follow up actions such as Annex 9, audits and spot checks and, where necessary, identifies corrective measures to overcome operational constraints.
• Reviews and closely monitors the project budget expenditures and resources.
• Supports the preparation and delivery of training and other learning events (e.g., OPIM training etc.).
• Participates in regular regional meetings with RAF and other subregions to ensure effective knowledge sharing and coordination.
• Performs any other related duties as may be required.

Requirements

• National of the country of assignment.
• Advanced university degree in a field related to business or public administration.
• Three years of relevant experience in office management, administration, accounting and/or audit, budget or finance.
• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English language and the local language.
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project management.
• Extent and relevance of experience in public administration.
• Demonstrated understanding of the purpose and functions of technical programmes, operational guidelines and programme/project management procedures, preferably those adopted by the United Nations or FAO would be considered an asset.

Skills

• Office Management
• Administration
• Accounting
• Audit
• Budget Management
• Finance Management
• Programme Management
• Project Management
• Public Administration
• Operational Support
• Program Development
• Project Implementation
• Technical Programme Coordination
• Operational Guidelines Drafting
• Programme procedures
• Project Management Procedures
• English Language Proficiency
• Local Language Proficiency

Languages

English