Programme Assistant - with Growth Opportunities

We are searching for a creative Programme Assistant to join our dynamic team at FAO in Roma.
Growing your career as a Full Time Programme Assistant is a terrific opportunity to develop productive skills.
If you are strong in people management, leadership and have the right initiative for the job, then apply for the position of Programme Assistant at FAO today!

Job Description

CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST - VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT : 2300187

Job Posting

: 23/Jan/2023

Closure Date

: 06/Feb/2023, 10:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit : PST

Job Type

: Staff position

Type of Requisition : General Service

Primary Location

: Italy-Rome

Duration : Fixed-term: 2 years with possibility of extension

Post Number : Visualizzare il telefono su click.appcast.io

CCOG Code : 2102b

Staff in the General Service category are recruited locally from the Primary Location area, which is where the office is located.

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production , better nutrition , a better environment, and a better life , leaving no one behind.

Organizational Setting

The South-South and Triangular Cooperation Division (PST) was established in 2020 and it aims to be a hub for knowledge generation and exchange to promote the uptake of sustainable agricultural practices, technologies, and innovations to address challenges in agriculture and rural development facing developing countries. PST also oversees, coordinates and facilitates South-South and Triangular Cooperation partnerships across the Organization as an effective mechanism for implementing FAO's Strategic Framework, through the exchange of development solutions, promotion of platforms for knowledge management and networks, mobilization of upstream policy support, and fostering enabling environment for effective SSTC among countries in the global south.
The post is located in the South-South and Triangular Cooperation Division (PST) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Main Purpose

The Programme Assistant performs a wide range of routine administrative and financial functions in support of the delivery of the organizational unit's programme and projects.

Supervision Received/Exercised

The Programme Assistant reports to the Programme Officer/Team Leader, Office of Director, PST. 'He/she acts independently in routine matters. Supervision received is focused on the quality of the work performed and provides for on-the-job learning.

Working Relationships

The Programme Assistant interacts with a wide variety of colleagues within the work unit and with immediate clients within the Organization, providing routine administrative and financial services.

Key Functions/Results

• Collect and compile data on programme/project activities to support reporting on programme/project delivery.
• Provide information on programme/project expenditures and status of programme/project budget.
• Process, format and proof-read reports, documents, publications and correspondence related to the work of the unit from draft texts.
• Review and direct correspondence, calls and queries to appropriate contacts; provide for background information; respond to routine enquiries.
• Make arrangements for meetings, seminars and events: implement logistics, prepare correspondence, compile and distribute documents, make administrative arrangements.
• Initiate and follow up on administrative and financial actions related to staff management, non-staff support, travel, payments and procurement.
• Perform other duties as required.

Impact Of Work

The incumbent's work impacts on the timely and efficient delivery of the immediate work unit's programme.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Education: Secondary School Education.
Experience: Three years of relevant experience in financial and/or administrative support work.
Languages: Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate - level B) of one of the other FAO languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
IT Skills: Good knowledge of the MS Office applications, Internet and office technology equipment.

Residency: General Service Staff are recruited locally. To be eligible for this position, candidates must be nationals of the country of the duty station or possess an existing visa/work permit, and reside within commuting distance of the duty station at the time of the application. 'Commuting distance' means the distance within which staff members can travel daily between their place of work and their residence.

Technical Skills

• Good knowledge of corporate information systems.
• Good knowledge of common administrative and financial rules and regulations.
• Good knowledge of communication and documentation standards.

Desirable Qualifications And Skills

• Good knowledge of the organizational structure.
• Knowledge of and experience with trust funded project activities.
• Knowledge of and experience with FAO budget rules and procedures.
• Good knowledge of Excel.
• Good knowledge of GRMS and FAO's financial tools, such as FPMIS, PIRES and iMIS.
• Knowledge and experience in supporting field operations.

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FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO,

Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at

• The length of the appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to extension of appointments

• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. 
• General Service Staff are recruited locally. To be eligible for this position, candidates must be nationals of the country of the duty station or possess an existing visa/work permit, and reside within commuting distance of the duty station at the time of the application.'Commuting distance' means the distance within which staff members can travel daily between their place of work and their residence.
• No international benefits will be payable as selected candidates are recruited locally and paid in the local currency of the office location
• Other similar positions may be filled from this vacancy notice
• For additional information visit the FAO employment website:

HOW TO APPLY
• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. Once completed, please apply and submit your application, with language certificates as attachments. Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications. FAO reserves the right to request candidates to undertake a language test in the future, as appropriate
• Incomplete applications will not be considered

• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the recruitment portal will be considered

• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.
• If you need assistance please contact: Visualizzare la mail su click.appcast.io

Benefits of working as a Programme Assistant in Roma:

● Learning opportunities
● Advancement opportunities
● Attractive package