National Operations Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation into 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 FAO Sierra Leone Country Office is responsible for leading FAO's response to country level 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 Divisions, Sub-regional Offices and Centres at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to country priorities and the implementation of the Organization's strategies through programmes and projects across the region.
The Country Office supports the formulation and implementation of the Country Programmes and Projects, including Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs), and their contribution to the FAO Strategic Framework and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) at the country level and work with Subregional office for West Africa on corporate priorities such as the Strategic Framework and on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization's Programme of Work and Budget. The Country Office leads, formulates, implements, monitors and reports on the Organization's programmes and budget in the region and draws management attention to problems, deficiencies and risks.

FAO Sierra Leone has developed a project on Palm Oil value chain development for three years that is contributing to the developed action document aligned to the Feed Salone strategy titled Sustainable Food and Agricultural Value Chains Development in Sierra Leone (SFAVCDSL) to be Financed under the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI Global Europe). This action document is linked to relevant Multiannual Indicative Programme for the Republic of Sierra Leone 2021-2027 (MIP). The total funding for the plan is estimated to be Euro 34.7million million out of which Euro 11.2 million will be administered by the FAO for technical assistance to support oil palm value chains and nutrition in the country. This initiative is a joint effort of EU and FAO building on complementarities and synergies of the interventions by the two organizations.

It is suggested that at least 43000 farm families will benefit directly within the selected 4 districts of Port Loko, Bonthe, Pujehun and Kenema. The specific activities to be implemented by FAO will include: (i) dissemination of good agricultural practices; (ii)   adoption of improved farm practices for increased farm productivity; (iii)training  in post-harvest management and palm oil processing; (iv) household nutrition improvement; (iii) promotion of on and off-farm employment; (iv) formation of oil palm based cooperatives and (v) capacity development for monitoring and evaluation

Sierra Leone Country Office is looking for National Operations Specialist to support the implementation of this project. The position is in the FAO Sierra Leone Country Office, West Africa region.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Sierra Leone.

Technical Focus

Support the EU funded project management through directly assisting the BH in assisting the monitoring of budgets, follow up on contracts/LoAs, support in preparing workshop budgets and assist in preparation of work plans and procurement plan that contribute to the overall impact of the project in terms of monitoring and reporting responsibilities of the project at local level.

Tasks and responsibilities

Within the functional and administrative supervision of the FAO Representative in Sierra Leone, the direct supervision of the EU Palm Oil project Chief Agronomist in Sierra Leone, and in close collaboration with the Sierra Leone programme and administrative units, the National Operations Specialist will undertake the following duties and responsibilities:

•     Work with the International Operations Specialist in providing day-to-day operational support to field projects in Sierra Leone contributing to the implementation of an effective field activities;
•     Contribute to the timely delivery of the necessary inputs and logistics support consistent with the planned project work plans, detailed field activity plans and procurement plans,
•     Assist in the supervision of national project administrative affiliate personnel to ensure timely delivery of the necessary inputs. 
•     Work with the project administrative staff to identify project risks that may delay the implementation of the project and communicate to the International Operations Specialist for action, 
•     Work with the International Operations Specialist to establish and maintain effective financial monitoring and controls including the review, certify for accuracy, appropriateness, correctness and compliance with the approved budget and FAO rules and regulations, all administrative and financial documents before they are submitted to the FAO Representative for approval and signature;
•     Monitor project Budget in FPMIS and ensure all charges are done using the appropriate budget codes;
•     Work with the National Project Coordinator to draft and monitor Contracts and Letters of Agreement (LOAs) and follow on submission of reports from and payments to Service Providers.
•     Assist in preparing annual work plan, procurement plan, initiate procurement action, according to the work plan time frame raising Procurement Requests (PR) in the FAO Global Resource Management System (GRMS) and follow up the procurement process/status with the procurement team; and draft inputs/goods distribution plans ensuring the physical delivery of project inputs to beneficiaries in accordance with project requests;
•     Ensure that assets procured through the project funding are properly registered, insured, used, maintained, safeguarded and appropriate inventory reports are timely and regularly prepared.
•     Make necessary arrangements for incoming and outgoing missions, including security clearances, entry visas, flights and hotel bookings; handle the organization and logistics of conferences, meetings, workshops and study tours. 
•     Assist in preparing event budget and follow up on the preparation of operational clearance of project Travel Authorization (TA) requests; 
•     Assist in the preparation of projects progress and final reports both narrative and financial; 
•     Where necessary draft budget revisions in FPMIS and share with the International Operations Specialist for review before submission to the project team lead and Head of Programme for feedback. 
•     Perform any other duties assigned by management. Perform other tasks requested by the FAO Representative.  

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     Bachelors’ university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in public or business administration, finance, accounting, economics, social sciences or other field related to the FAO mandate
•     At least five (3) years of relevant experience in project management/operation and support
•     Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English language
•     National of Sierra Leone

FAO Core Competencies

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

Selection criteria

•     Working experience as operations officer for EU funded project would be added advantage
 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION