Programme Associate - Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

The Regional Office for RAF is responsible for leading FAO’s response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO’s priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the Region and, in collaboration with offices and divisions at Headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO’s strategic response to regional priorities.

RAF also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization’s Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies.

RAF develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs). The Regional Office supports regional policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region.

Main Purpose

The Programme Associate (Budget) plays a lead role in the coordination of programme/ projects support services. He/ she performs a broad range of programme, planning and budgeting activities requiring in-depth analysis and interpretation of relevant policies, procedures and practices. The incumbent provides procedural guidance to managers and staff in the office or location.

Supervision Received/Exercised

The Programme Associate (Budget) reports to the Programme and Budget Officer. Work is performed autonomously, showing a high degree of initiative and independent judgment. Supervision received is focused on facilitating service delivery. The incumbent provides guidance and training to programme support staff.

Working Relationships

The Programme Associate (Budget) maintains a wide range of contacts with managers, staff and stakeholders inside and outside the office. The incumbent collaborates closely with colleagues in other offices and the corporate services, ensuring the quality and consistency of programme/ projects support services.

Key Functions/Results

• Coordinate the preparation, submission, revision and follow-up of the Programme of Work and Budget, and the monitoring and provision of information on the implementation of the PWB;
• Coordinate, review and analyze the Periodic Budgetary Reports for final submission to the Office of Strategic Planning;
• Assemble and synthesize data from corporate data bases to facilitate the analysis of programmes, projects or activities, and to draft periodic or ad hoc management reports;
• Monitor projects and ensure the maintenance and retrieval of programming reference material, documentation, data and information;
• Consolidate and monitor various reports on human resources planning and expenditures, the use of non-staff resources, the office communication and publishing plans, IT plans, and travel schedules;
• Screen incoming correspondence to identify issues requiring further attention and draft related correspondence;
• Support knowledge building and knowledge sharing across the office through training of staff and briefing of budget holders on administrative/budgetary/planning/programming/financial procedures and processes;
• Review current processes and make recommendations to improve programme/projects administration procedures;
• Perform other functions as required.