National Professional Officer

Organizational Setting

FAO's commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.
FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country' level.

The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.

Specifically, FAO Country Offices:

•    Advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO's mandate.

•    Provide technical assistance and deliver core services.

•    Assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation.

•    Position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation.

•    Ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.

The position is located in the FAO Partnership and Liaison Office in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Reporting Lines

The National Professional Officer (Programme) reports to the Head of the FAO Partnership and Liaison Office.

Technical Focus

Programme development and management, coordination and operational support based on the knowledge of the local conditions, culture, language and institutions of the country of assignment.

Key Results

Effective and efficient management and coordination of the technical and operational support of the programme and project activities of the FAO Representation.

Key Functions

•    Advises and liaises with government authorities, local, national and international institutions in the areas of FAO's activities and other UN agencies. Represents FAO at inter-agency meetings.

•    Promotes the image of FAO through advocacy of the Organization's mandate, programmes, national priorities and activities including the coordination of development and maintenance of communication tools such as website, press releases and publications; provides FAO's information, knowledge and resources to government, NGOs, the private sector and other local entities on food, nutrition and agriculture situations; and supports the implementation of FAO's regulatory frameworks (Codex Alimentarius, Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, Safe Use of Pesticides, etc.) in the country.

•    Coordinates and manages the maintenance of country data on food, crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries including information on external aid in FAO's corporate systems and monitor and communicate changes in national policies affecting the agricultural sector.

•    Produces technical, economic and policy studies as required and participates in the development of country level development frameworks such as the Country Programming Framework (CPF) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).

•    Identifies, formulates and prepares programme and project proposals, monitors and reviews the status of the programme/project implementation to ensure that all operational activities are carried out in line with the work plan and the project document; identifies inconsistencies and delays and submits proposals to the FAOR on how to improve results and increase efficiency.

•    Briefs, trains and supervises lower grade level programme staff regarding all aspects of the job. Ensures adherence to procedures and work requirements and accuracy and diligence of the work provided.

•    Performs other duties as required.

Specific Functions

•    Provides programme support to the implementation of FAO-Kazakhstan Partnership Programme (FKPP) under guidance of the Head of the Office and coordinates the process of planning, delivery, and monitoring of the activities under the framework of the FKPP with the support of technical experts.

•    Supports the Head of the Office in enhancing partnership between Kazakhstan and FAO through securing resources related to food security and combatting hunger and through enhancement of cooperation with international organizations.

•    Supports in promoting partnerships with academic institutes, civil societies etc in the areas of FAO`s mandate.

•    Leads preparation of or contributes to operational and programme reports requested by the government, regional or headquarters offices; leads the development of awareness and other materials about the country office.

•    Organizes and participates, on behalf of the Head of the Office, in task forces and other meetings, liaises with the government counterparts.

•    Supports communication between the country office and the program and technical divisions of FAO Headquarters, Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) and Subregional Office for Central Asia (SEC) in the field programme/project implementation.

•    Acts as Deputy of the Head of the FAO Partnership and Liaison Office.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    National of Kazakhstan.

•    Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in agriculture, agricultural economics, forestry, fisheries, or any other field related to the work of the Organization.

•    Five years of relevant experience in agricultural development and/or project implementation in an area of FAO's activities in the country.

•    Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English, Russian and of the local language.

Competencies

•    Results Focus

•    Teamwork

•    Communication

•    Building Effective Relationships

•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project development and management.

•    Demonstrated understanding of the purpose and functions of the technical programme, operational guidelines and project/programme management procedures, preferably those adopted by the United Nations or FAO.

•    Extent and relevance of' experience in the field of policy analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development OR extent and relevance of' experience in the collection of country data on food, crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries.

•    Extent and relevance of experience in the identification, formulation and preparation of programme and project proposals as well as programme/project implementation, monitoring and review.