National Professional Officer (Programme ) N2

About Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

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 Afghanistan is investing, across all 34 provinces, in resilience reinforcing actions that focus on protecting agriculture livelihoods and local ecosystems, boosting local production of nutritious foods and cash-incomes, and safeguarding critical agriculture sectoral development gains achieved over the past couple of decades through revitalizing rural markets and economy. In 2022-2023, FAO will, under the life-saving assistance Outcome (1) of the UN Transitional Engagement Framework (TEF), focus on the following four priority actions: (i) Safeguarding Wheat Seed Security, (ii) Enhancing Local Production of Nutritious Food, (iii) Livestock Protection and Dairy Sector Support, and (iv) Restoring Irrigation Structures to Boost Cash Incomes. Additionally, FAO will contribute towards resilience building activities under Outcome 2 of the TEF.

The position is located in the FAO Representation in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Job Summary

Reporting Lines

The National Professional Officer (Programme) reports to the Deputy FAO Representative. He/she works with independence and initiative and applies knowledge of local socio-economic conditions, language, and institutions. The National Professional Officer (Programme) may be asked to represent FAO in meetings, workshops, working groups and in other forums. He/she works in close collaboration with the Assistant FAO Representative (Administration), the National Operations Officer, the Field Security Officer and the Chief Technical Advisers (CTAs) and project teams in the country.

Technical Focus

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

Key Results

Effective and efficient coordination and provision of the technical and operational support of the programme and project activities

Duties & Responsibilities

Key Functions

·      Liaises and assists various pertinent local, national and international partners in the areas of FAO’s activities in the country and with other UN agencies. He/she may represent FAO at inter-agency meetings as required.

·      Promotes the image of FAO through advocacy of the Organization’s mandate, programmes, national priorities and activities including development and maintenance of communication tools such as website, press releases and publications, and supports the implementation of FAO’s regulatory framework (Codex Alimentarius, Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, Safe Use of Pesticides, etc.) in the country.

·      Coordinates the collection, consolidation and maintenance of country data on food, crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries including information on external aid in FAO’s corporate systems and monitor changes in national policies affecting the agricultural sector.

·      Participates in producing technical, economic and policy studies as required and developing country level development frameworks such as the Country Programming Framework (CPF) and the United Nations Development Assistance Frameworks (UNDAF).

·      Participates in the identification, formulation and preparation of programme and project proposals and monitors and reviews the status of 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, when necessary, proposes corrective measures to overcome operational constraints.

·      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

·      Supports the development, identification, preparation and formulation of pipeline programmes and projects proposals particularly related to the Priority Programme Area BL3 and BL4 of the Organization, in liaison with, UN Agencies, Multilateral/Bilateral Donors, and FAO Technical and Operational Divisions and Services.

·      Coordinates the implementation of emergency humanitarian response projects of FAO in Afghanistan.

·      Contributes to need assessments especially collecting and analysing the secondary data related to BL3 and BL4.

·      Specifies quantities and determines technical specification of agricultural inputs, as well as timing of agricultural inputs required as immediate assistance of emergencies/resilience activities.

·      Monitors the resilience projects' implementation in order to ensure quality implementation on timely manner.

·      Liaises with FAO regional focal points to better coordinate and implement the resilience interventions.

·      Participates in project preparation in support of strengthening the BL3 and BL4 component of the Country Programming Framework (CPF) and inserts newly prepared concept notes and project documents in FAO relevant systems for approval processing.

·      Provides inputs for the FAO Representative’s annual reports and participates in the preparation of reports on FAO resilience programme/emergencies project development, implementation and monitoring.

·      Promotes the image of FAO through advocacy of the Organization's mandates, programmes and priorities and national activities and assists counterparts, NGOs, the private sector and others to understand how to access FAO knowledge and resources

Job Requirements

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

 Minimum Requirements

·      National of the country of assignment.

·      Advanced University degree in agriculture, agricultural economics, forestry, fisheries or any other field related to the work of the Organization.

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

·      Working knowledge (proficient - Level C) of both English and of one of the local languages (Pashto, Dari).

Competencies

·      Results Focus

·      Teamwork

·      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 emergency response, resource mobilization, agriculture and economic development and project 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.

·      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.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

GENERAL INFORMATION

·      Staff members in this category are recruited locally and paid according to a local salary scale. Salary scales are reviewed periodically on the basis of comprehensive surveys of the best prevailing conditions of employment in the locality.

·      FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description.

·      Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required. Vaccination status will be verified as part of the medical clearance process

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

·      A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link: https://icsc.un.org/Resources/SAD/Booklets/sabeng.pdf

·      FAO encourages a positive workplace culture to increase inclusivity and diversity within its workforce. FAO applies measures in which all staff members contribute equally and in full to the work and development of the Organization. This includes:

·      elements of family-friendly policies

·      flexible working arrangements

·      standards of conduct

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

·      FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing).

·      Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help please contact: Careers@fao.org 

·      Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.

·      Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications

·      For additional employment opportunities, visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/ 

Submission Guideline

·      To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills

·      Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile

·      Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application

·      Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/

·      Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications

·      Incomplete applications will not be considered

·      Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application

·      Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered

·      Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile

·      We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

·      If you need help, or have queries, please contact: Careers@fao.org

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