National Operations Specialist at FAO – Food and Agriculture Organization: (Deadline 29 December 2023)

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (“FAO” or “Organization”) is an intergovernmental organization with more than 194 member nations. Since its inception, FAO has worked to alleviate poverty and hunger by promoting agricultural development, improved nutrition, and the pursuit of food security – defined as the access of all people at all times to the food they need for an active and healthy life. To achieve its goals, FAO cooperates with thousands of partners worldwide, from farmers’ groups to traders, from non-governmental organizations to other UN agencies, from development banks to agribusiness firms (further and more detailed information on FAO can be found on the internet site: http://www.fao.org).
The main aim of FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments in developing policies, programs, and projects to achieve security and reduce hunger and malnutrition to help develop the agricultural, fisheries, and forest sectors, and use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

Reporting Lines

Within the framework of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD), with the functional, administrative, and overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Rwanda, (who is the project budget holder), with the supervision of the Senior Animal Health Officer/ ECTAD Global Programme Coordinator (NSAH), the direct supervision of the Head of Operational and Finance Unit at FAO Rwanda, in close collaboration with ECTAD Team at FAO Rwanda, the technical backstopping of the ECTAD Regional program Assistant for Eastern and Southern Africa, in line with program management guidance from the Emergency and Rehabilitation Officer/ECTAD Global Programme Budget Holder (OER), in collaboration with the Coordinator of the Laboratory Unit (NSAH), and the relevant Animal Production and Health Officers:

Technical Focus

The technical focus of the work of the National operations Specialist will support the FAO ECTAD Team in following up and planning with the various FAO units and partners in the delivery of the project/program, especially compilation of the annual and quarterly project plans, procurement, LoAs, and travel plans and are monitored and updated for all ECTAD projects within the FAO’s broader country program under the FAO Representation.

Tasks and Responsibilities

The incumbent will specifically:

•    Support the FAO ECTAD Team in following up and planning with the various FAO units and partners in the delivery of the project/program.
•    Assist in the follow-up of requests for services to be provided in line with the FAO rules and regulations.
•    In collaboration with the FAO ECTAD Team, support the collation and compilation of the annual and quarterly project work plans, procurement, LoA, and travel plans.
•    In collaboration with the MEAL unit and the technical officers, follow up on project periodic reports and submit to Operations for final submission and uploading into the system.
•    Ensure timely submission of Staffing action requests and supporting documents to the Operations Team for processing.
•    Follow up with the operations and travel units to ensure timely submission of Travel Authorizations, LTECS, and BTORS timely processing.
•    In collaboration with the operations/budget team, ensure projects’ transactions are continuously mapped in FPMIs.
•    Maintain offline records of planned project expenditure projections and commitments
•    Track procurement requests and follow up with the operations unit to ensure timely delivery in the field
•    Maintain an asset register for all project-related assets and ensure proper handover of assets in liaison with the Asset manager
•    Maintain an up-to-date register of all contracts and LoAs/MoUs/Memos
•    Review the adequacy of financial reports provided by Service Providers and in collaboration with the operations and Finance units, ensure timely payments and closures of POs.
•    Support resource mobilization efforts at FAO Rwanda.
•    Provide detailed end-of-the-assignment report to the ECTAD Country Team Leader and head of operations and Finance Unit at FAO Rwanda.
•    Performs other related duties as required;

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements 

•    Master’s degree or equivalent qualification in accounting or finance for international standard or a related field is required.
•    Minimum 5 years of experience in budgeting, accounting, and reporting procedures of the International Organization (preferably UN).
•    National of Rwanda
•    Working knowledge of English

FAO Core Competencies

•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Communication
•    Building Effective Relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Good interpersonal and teamwork skills, networking aptitude, and ability to engage effectively with policy and decision-makers;
•    Hands-on experience in setting up and running a project financial management and accounting information system in accordance with best international practice.
•    Broad experience in budgeting, accounting, and reporting procedures of the International Organization (preferably UN).
•    Ability to present financial information in a clear, concise manner and in formats suitable to FAOR.
•     Experience in training staff of local counterparts and subcontractors in disbursement procedures and in accounting theory and practice.
•    Computer literate; familiarity with Windows-based programs such as Word and Excel, PowerPoint, Accounting programs, and other MIS.
•    Ability to exercise a high level of judgment, and personal initiative, communicate effectively with people at all levels, and collaboratively work as a member of a team.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION