Afghanistan: Assistant FAO Representative

Jan 23, 2021 | Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN
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The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. Job Description The FAO Representation in Afghanistan is responsible for leading FAO's response to priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning, and implementation of FAO's priority activities in the country. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in Afghanistan and, in collaboration with Regional Office Asia and Pacific and the departments and divisions at Headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to the country priorities. The representation also supports the regional office in the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization's Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the country, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. The office also develops and maintains relations with Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, UN agencies, the resource partners and other development institution at the country level. Reporting Lines The Assistant FAO Representative (Administration) reports to the FAO Representative. The Assistant FAO Representative (Administration) is responsible for planning, coordinating and implementing administrative and financial activities for the FAO Representation in Afghanistan and maintain effective collaboration with relevant unit in FAO-RAP and HQ. Technical Focus Programme administration and financial management, including accounting and personnel administration. Key Results Effective and efficient provision of administrative support to the programme and project activities of the FAO Representation.  Key Functions  

  • Plans, organizes, and coordinates the office's administrative services;
  • Provides administrative support in the implementation of FAO collaborative programmes and ensures periodic monitoring of their implementation;
  • Plans and implements procedures, norms and systems in compliance with existing policies, for a full range of administration-related processes;
  • Manages and supervises the administrative team;
  • Reviews and analyses data from a wide variety of sources, including FAO's corporate systems and database;
  • Prepares reports, financial and budgetary estimates for projects;  plans and organizes the application, control and accounting of approved budgetary allocations by projects and programmes; prepares special reports for budget preparation , audits, and other requests;
  • Reviews accounts, processes payments in accordance with established rules and liaises with local banks and financial institutions;
  • Oversees the financial and administrative correspondence and filing system of the office;
  • Monitors the receipt of Government contributions and ensures that all procurement and custom clearances for programmes, projects and the office are properly requested and obtained;
  • Ensures the compliance with the Organization's security guidelines (Minimum Operational Security Standards ' MOSS)
 Candidates will be Assessed Against the Following Minimum Requirements  
  • National of the country of assignment
  • Advanced university degree in a field related to business or public administration
  • Two years of relevant experience in office management, administration, accounting and/or audit, budget or finance
  • Working knowledge (level C) of English.
  • Working knowledge of the local language
 Competencies  
  • Results Focus
  • Team Work
  • Communication
  • Building effective relationships
  • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
 Technical/Functional Skills  
  • Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable
  • Extent and relevance of experience in the field of office management and administration including supervisory experience
  • Extent of knowledge of UN or standard operational rules and procedures and project/programme administrative management procedures
  • Extent of knowledge of FAO's corporate systems and data base, or knowledge of other accounting or financial modules or applications relevant to accounting procedures or project budget management would be considered an asset
  • Demonstrated analytical and judgment skills and ability to apply rules and regulations in the subject field
The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. The FAO Representation in Afghanistan is responsible for leading FAO's response to priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning, and implementation of FAO's priority activities in the country. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in Afghanistan and, in collaboration with Regional Office Asia and Pacific and the departments and divisions at Headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to the country priorities. The representation also supports the regional office in the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization's Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the country, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. The office also develops and maintains relations with Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, UN agencies, the resource partners and other development institution at the country level. Reporting Lines The Assistant FAO Representative (Administration) reports to the FAO Representative. The Assistant FAO Representative (Administration) is responsible for planning, coordinating and implementing administrative and financial activities for the FAO Representation in Afghanistan and maintain effective collaboration with relevant unit in FAO-RAP and HQ. Technical Focus Programme administration and financial management, including accounting and personnel administration. Key Results Effective and efficient provision of administrative support to the programme and project activities of the FAO Representation.
Key Functions •         Plans, organizes, and coordinates the office's administrative services;•         Provides administrative support in the implementation of FAO collaborative programmes and ensures periodic monitoring of their implementation;•         Plans and implements procedures, norms and systems in compliance with existing policies, for a full range of administration-related processes;•         Manages and supervises the administrative team;•         Reviews and analyses data from a wide variety of sources, including FAO's corporate systems and database;•         Prepares reports, financial and budgetary estimates for projects;  plans and organizes the application, control and accounting of approved budgetary allocations by projects and programmes; prepares special reports for budget preparation , audits, and other requests;•         Reviews accounts, processes payments in accordance with established rules and liaises with local banks and financial institutions;•         Oversees the financial and administrative correspondence and filing system of the office;•         Monitors the receipt of Government contributions and ensures that all procurement and custom clearances for programmes, projects and the office are properly requested and obtained;•         Ensures the compliance with the Organization's security guidelines (Minimum Operational Security Standards ' MOSS) Candidates will be Assessed Against the Following Minimum Requirements •         National of the country of assignment•         Advanced university degree in a field related to business or public administration•         Two years of relevant experience in office management, administration, accounting and/or audit, budget or finance•         Working knowledge (level C) of English.•         Working knowledge of the local language
 Competencies •         Results Focus•         Team Work•         Communication•         Building effective relationships•         Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement Technical/Functional Skills •         Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable•         Extent and relevance of experience in the field of office management and administration including supervisory experience•         Extent of knowledge of UN or standard operational rules and procedures and project/programme administrative management procedures•         Extent of knowledge of FAO's corporate systems and data base, or knowledge of other accounting or financial modules or applications relevant to accounting procedures or project budget management would be considered an asset

•         Demonstrated analytical and judgment skills and ability to apply rules and regulations in the subject field