Programme Assistant

Organizational Setting

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.

FAO's commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

The Animal Production and Health Division (NSA) promotes and facilitates the sustainable development of the livestock sector, integrating scientific and technical expertise and policy advice. It hosts technical networks in areas of animal health, genetics, feed and animal husbandry and provides analysis, policy dialogue (including intergovernmental bodies) and technical assistance. It also supports emergency responses, mostly in animal health.

The position will focus on work related to the FAO One Health and Disease Control Branch (NSAH-CJW) to which will provide advanced administrative, financial and programme support, contributing directly to the implementation of both the Regular Programme and extra budgetary trust fund projects.

This position is located within the Programme and Operations Hub in the Animal Production and Health Division (NSA) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Main Purpose

The Programme Assistant is responsible for the coordination of specialized and complex processes and activities in support of the delivery of the Office's work programme, planning and budgeting activities. He/she provides procedural guidance to managers and staff in the Office.

Supervision Received/Exercised

The Programme Assistant works under the general supervision of the Programme Officer, Head of Programme and Operations Hub, and receives guidance from the Programme Associate.

The incumbent operates independently and takes decisions on work priorities. Supervision received is focused on the quality of work outputs. He/she provides guidance and advice to other programme support staff.

Working Relationships

The Programme Assistant works closely with a wide range of colleagues across the Organization, ensuring the consistency and quality of programme/project support services provided by the Office.

Key Functions/Results

• Monitor both Regular Programme and Project budgets, ensuring that funds are properly allocated and reported upon, and take corrective action if required; inform management of any budget issues that may require attention.
• Provide support to budget holders in the preparation of the Periodic Budgetary Reports (PBR), the biennial Programme of Work and Budget (PWB) and related work plans for the division as needed.
• Prepare project budget revisions in consultation with budget holders.
• Support the initiation, administration, and monitoring of Letters of Agreement throughout the project implementation phase.
• Respond to a variety of routine queries and provide clarifications on programme and project matters; inform management and team members of processes, procedures and timeframes to secure administrative services needed for programme/project execution; initiate correspondence to verify data, obtain additional information on transactions and budgetary matters.
• Review data quality and maintain office records and reference files on various subjects; compile and synthesize data from various sources to support financial analyses on programme/project activities; generate periodic or ad-hoc management reports.
• Coordinate the full array of administrative and financial actions related to staff management, non-staff support, travel, payments and procurement.
• Support the dissemination of project outputs, knowledge products, and communication materials through digital and other media platforms.
• Provide procedural guidance to junior Programme Assistants and other staff in the work unit.
• Review and make recommendations to improve current programme/project administration procedures and processes.
• Perform other functions as required.
  
  

Impact Of Work

The incumbent's work impacts directly on the smooth operations and performance of the office's programme/project activities. He/she plays a lead role in the provision of programme support services for successful achievement of the organizational unit's mandate.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

Education: Secondary School Education.

Experience: Four years of relevant experience in the provision of programme/projects support services.

Languages: Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English.

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 valid visa to work or valid 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.

Competencies

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

Technical Skills

• Very good knowledge of corporate information systems.
• Very good knowledge of programme and budget processes and procedures.
• Very good knowledge of common administrative and financial rules and regulations.
• Very good knowledge of communication and documentation standards.
  
  

Desirable Qualifications And Skills

• Proven experience in supporting project budget management, including equalizations, budget revisions, Field Budget Authorization (FBA), Technical Support Services (TSS) secondment, funding changes, and accounting adjustments.
• Strong capacity for planning, prioritizing and organizing work, including managing competing deadlines and ensuring workflow continuity.
• Very good knowledge and skills in Quality Assurance of Letter of Agreements with demonstrated experience.
• Very good knowledge and experience in processing Beneficiary Grants.
• Very good knowledge of FAO corporate systems for financial monitoring and workflow management (e.g., FPMIS, GRMS, iMiS, eBMM), including extraction, reconciliation and preliminary analysis and review of financial data to support programme delivery.
• Intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO official language preferably French is an asset.
  
  

Call For Expressions Of Interest - Vacancy Announcement

Job Posting

05/May/2026

Closure Date

19/May/2026, 11:59:00 PM

Job Type

Staff position

Grade Level

G-5

Primary Location

Italy-Rome

Duration

Fixed-term: one year with possibility of extension

Post Number

2011057

CCOG Code

2102b

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

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.
  
  

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

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.