Organizational Setting
The Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment (OCB) works to ensure that countries and stakeholders respond to the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation. OCB provides a cross organizational coordination role on these issues and is the focal point to major multilateral environmental agreements including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conferences (UNFCCC), and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The Office also assists FAO Members in their responses towards the interlinked challenges of food security, climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation including through facilitating access to climate and environmental financing, such as the Global Environmental facility (GEF) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF). In addition, OCB hosts the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) Programme, the Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) as well as FAO’s work on environmental safeguards and leads the Programme Priority Areas on Climate Change (PPA BE1) and Bioeconomy for Sustainable Food and Agriculture (PPA BE2).

The post is located in the OCB Programme Support Hub at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. The Programme Support Hub is responsible for undertaking and supporting cross-cutting scientific and technical analysis on climate, biodiversity and environment in support of OCB’s actions and support to countries. The programme hub also undertakes all required coordination and monitoring of administrative and financial procedures for OCB regular programme and trust fund portfolio and initiatives.

Reporting Lines
The Programme Officer reports to the Director of OCB.

Technical Focus
OCB programme and budget. Financial management and monitoring of OCB regular programme and trust fund resources, including relevant GEF and GCF funds and fees.

Key Results
Develop, implement, monitor and evaluate assigned programmes/projects.

Key Functions

• Carries out basic research on selected aspects of programmes, operations and other activities; collects, analyses and presents statistical data and other information gathered from diverse sources.
• Provides substantive support for policy coordination and evaluation functions, including the review and analysis of emerging development issues and trends, participation in impact evaluation or equivalent studies.
• Participates in survey initiatives; supports data collection, reviews, analyses and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares preliminary conclusions.
• Contributes to the preparation of various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analytical notes, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications.
• Undertakes outreach activities; participates in the development of training workshops, seminars; participates in and makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
• Participates in field missions, including provision of substantive and administrative support, data collection, etc.
• Monitors activities related to budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements) and preparation of related documents/reports (work programme, programme budget.), as necessary.

Specific Functions

• Supports the review and analyses of the GEF fees and programme funds managed by OCB.
• Manages budget and undertake the analysis of GEF IP and related funds and when required provides support in

  budget preparation and review, as well as supporting TF related initiatives executed by OCB.

• Serves as the focal point and resource person in financial resources management, monitoring and reporting at

  OCB Programme Support Hub.

• Monitors budget and allotments (programme of work and budget, trust funds and any other related

  funds by a) ensuring consistency with policy, guidelines, rules and regulations and agreed expenditures b)

  overseeing revision of budget and projects; c) controlling regular and project budget expenditures; d) maintaining

  and updating information on the status of contributions, allotments, fees and TSS; e) reviewing financial aspects of

  the project-related agreements; f) reviewing and certifying obligations and disbursements; g) overseeing

  administrative and financial action for directly supervised internal projects; h) overseeing and monitoring the

  actions required for closure of completed projects; i) providing information to Programme Managers and Officers

  of changes in policy guidelines.

• Collects, reviews for accuracy and analyses financial information and internal budgetary and financial controls to

  support the delivery of services/activities, producing periodic budgetary reports, monthly monitoring of programme

  budget delivery, financial resource statements and planning reports.

• Supports in liaising with FAO Corporate units in regard to budget planning, reporting and management, including

  the implementation of the Programme of Work and Budget.

• Supports and provides direct professional guidance in project budget formulation, operational clearance,

  monitoring and reporting procedures and facilitating the necessary administrative measures required after

  project/revision approval.

• Analyzes and tracks resource flows, prepares regular analytical internal reports on the use/delivery of regular

  programme and project funds, flags at risk situations, and engages with the director’s office, Budget Holders, Lead

• Technical Officers, Team Leaders and administrative staff for appropriate follow-up actions and solutions.
• As part of the Programme Support Hub, supports OCB Management and Team Leaders in soliciting and preparing

  interim and terminal financial reports, reviewing and reconciling reports before final submissions to the Office of

  Strategic Planning.

• Participates in the development of improved work methods and procedures and contribute to capacity

  Development activities, training workshops, and development of guidelines on FAO’s procedures.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business or public administration, accounting, finance or a related field.
• Three years of relevant experience and progressively responsible work experience in budget management or related areas.
• Working knowledge (proficiency – level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience with complex data analysis, reconciliations and corporate reporting.
• Experience in an international organization.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the field of administration, finance, and/or management.
• Extent and relevance of experience in resource and financial management, analysis, and planning.
• Extent of knowledge of planning and budgetary processes.
• Experience with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and/or an Enterprise Resource
• Planning (ERP) system is considered an asset.
• Demonstrated knowledge of UN and/or FAO financial policies, procedures, tools, systems and project cycle, is considered a strong asset.