Operations and Programme Management Specialist (NFO Roster call)

Organizational Setting

The Operations and Programme Management Specialists roster call will support the Forestry Division (NFO) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) by contributing to the delivery of operational, financial, and programme management functions across a diverse portfolio of projects and programmes. The NFO Division works to promote sustainable forest management, forest restoration, climate resilience, and inclusive livelihoods in line with FAO’s Strategic Framework.

This call is designed to respond to evolving divisional and team needs by providing pre screened specialists at different levels of experience, from junior specialists (Category C) to mid level (Category B) and senior specialists (Category A). Selected candidates may be engaged to support one or more of the following functional areas:
•     Operations
•     Finance, including Budgeting
•     Programme Management, including Project Management and Resource Mobilization

Candidates may indicate one, two, or all functional areas for which they wish to be considered.
Rostered specialists may be hired for short term assignments (up to 11 months per year) within NFO teams, ensuring flexibility, continuity, and rapid deployment in response to operational, programme delivery, and resource mobilization requirements. Assignments may be based at FAO headquarters in Rome, home based, or involve travel, depending on the specific needs of the requesting team.

Reporting Lines

The Operations and Programme Management Specialist will report to an Officer within the assigned team in the Forestry Division (NFO), such as a Team Leader, Programme Officer, or Technical Officer. The incumbent may receive day-to-day guidance and task-specific instructions from designated colleagues appointed by the supervisor. These may include Senior Operations, Finance, or Programme Specialists, depending on the specific focus and functional area of the assignment (operations, finance, or programme management).

Technical Focus

Incumbents endorsed on NFO Roster will provide specialized support in one or more of the following functional areas, based on team needs and the consultant’s profile:

1.    Operations – supporting administrative, contractual, and logistical processes across agreements/contracts lifecycles, in alignment with FAO’s operational standards and systems.
2.    Finance, including Budgeting – contributing to financial planning, monitoring, reporting, and compliance, including coordination with internal units and alignment with donor requirements.
3.    Programme Management, including Project Management and Resource Mobilization – supporting programme and project design, implementation oversight, partner coordination, and preparation of funding proposals, reports, and strategic inputs for resource mobilization.

Tasks and responsibilities

Depending on the specific assignment, level of expertise, and functional area selected by the candidate, consultants may be requested to carry out tasks under one or more of the following workstreams:

1. Operations

•     Provide operational support in the preparation, processing, and management of Letters of Agreement (LoAs), Direct Beneficiary Grants (DBGs), Operational Partners Agreements (OPAs), and other contractual instruments.
•     Perform compliance checks to ensure adherence to FAO operational policies, procedures, and standards.
•     Liaise with relevant FAO units (e.g. Procurement, Legal, Communications) to facilitate timely clearances and implementation support.
•     Maintain accurate records, trackers, and operational databases for contracts and activities.
•     Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure smooth implementation of administrative and logistical components of project delivery.
•     Contribute to the development of operational guidance materials, templates, and training content for partners, service providers, and beneficiaries.

2. Finance, including Budgeting

•     Support the preparation and monitoring of project budgets, including real-time tracking of expenditures and financial performance.
•     Maintain and update financial mapping of projects to ensure accuracy in financial reporting, and support corrective actions as needed (e.g. accounting adjustments, funding reallocations).
•     Assist in reviewing financial reports submitted by Service Providers, Grantees, and Operational Partners, providing input to ensure compliance with FAO and donor requirements.
•     Reflect budget revisions in internal tools and systems and coordinate uploads of relevant documentation.
•     Provide technical advice and support to teams on financial compliance and FAO budgetary processes, as needed.

3. Programme Management, including Project Management and Resource Mobilization

•     Support project and programme formulation, planning, implementation, and closure in alignment with FAO’s project cycle and team-specific workflows.
•     Assist in monitoring implementation progress and deliverables, identifying delays or risks and proposing mitigation actions.
•     Support coordination with partners, stakeholders, and other FAO divisions to ensure effective delivery and alignment with programme objectives.
•     Contribute to the preparation of resource mobilization materials, including concept notes, proposals, logframes, and donor reports.
•     Support knowledge management, synthesis of lessons learned, and preparation of analytical or strategic inputs to divisional programmes or funding opportunities.
•     Assist in planning and organizing technical events, workshops, missions, and cross-team coordination meetings.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Economics, International Development, International Relations, Forestry, Environmental Studies, or any other discipline relevant to the work of the Organization. Consultants with bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
•     At least 1 year of relevant experience for junior professionals (Category C), at least 5 years for mid-level professionals (Category B), or at least 10 years for senior professionals (Category A), preferably within international organizations, NGOs, or development projects, in one or more of the following areas:
o    Operations 
o    Finance, including Budgeting
o    Programme Management, including Project Management and Resource Mobilization
•     Working knowledge of English. Knowledge of French and/or Spanish would be considered a strong asset.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Demonstrated experience aligned with the candidate’s functional area(s) of interest and level of responsibility (junior, mid-level, or senior), particularly in one or more of the following:
o    Operations: contract processing, procurement workflows, LoAs/DBGs/OPAs, operational compliance.
o    Finance, including Budgeting: budget formulation, financial monitoring and reporting, donor financial compliance, coordination with finance units.
o    Programme Management, including Project Management and Resource Mobilization: project planning and oversight, multi-stakeholder coordination, proposal development, donor engagement, and results tracking.
•     Experience with monitoring project implementation, financial performance, and compliance with organizational and donor requirements.
•     Strong organizational, coordination, and multitasking skills, with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
•     Ability to contribute to operational or programmatic innovation and identify opportunities for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of NFO’s work.
•     Work experience in more than one location or area of work, especially in developing country contexts, is an asset.
•     Familiarity with FAO systems (GRMS, FPMIS, iMIS) or similar organizational tools is considered an asset.
•     Knowledge of FAO Manual Sections and operational guidelines is highly desirable.
•     Proficiency in standard office software, particularly MS Excel.
•     Prior experience supporting operational, financial, or programme management tasks in FAO or similar international organizations is desirable.

Selection Criteria

•     Extent and relevance of experience in the selected functional area(s) of work – Operations, Finance (including Budgeting), and/or Programme Management (including Project Management and Resource Mobilization) – in line with the consultant category level (Category C: at least 1 year; Category B: at least 5 years; Category A: at least 10 years).
•     Demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality outputs under tight deadlines and shifting priorities.
•     Proven capacity to manage multiple responsibilities, coordinate with diverse stakeholders, and work independently with minimal supervision.
•     Ability to work effectively in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment.
•     Proficiency in English; knowledge of French and/or Spanish is considered a strong asset.