Programme Associate

Organizational Setting
FAO's commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

The Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFI) is responsible for the economic, social, institutional, governance and policy aspects of FAO's activities related to fisheries and aquaculture and their development, with particular emphasis on human well-being, food security, poverty reduction and the well-being of dependent communities. This includes the collection, compilation, validation, trend analysis and dissemination of the best available and up-to-date fishery statistics; the management of responsible fisheries and aquaculture in accordance with modern management standards and best practices; the development of fisheries technology, with due regard to the protection of biodiversity and the environment, including the safety of fishers and fishing vessels; the development of sustainable aquaculture, including feed, seed and disease controls; post-harvest utilization, marketing and trade of aquatic products.

The post is located in the Office of the Director, NFIDD at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Main Purpose
The Programme Associate plays a lead role in the coordination of programme/projects support services for the office. 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 reports to the Director, NFI. 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 in the office.

Working Relationships
The Programme Associate 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 (PWB), as well as the monitoring and provision of information on the implementation of the PWB.
• Coordinate, review and analyse the Periodic Budgetary Reports as needed.
• Assemble and synthesize data from corporate and office databases 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, 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 department 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.

Impact Of Work
The incumbent's work impacts directly on the smooth and efficient operations of the programme/project activities of the office. He/she plays a lead role in the coordination and provision of the programme support services for the successful achievement of the office's mandate. He/she plays a proactive role in the successful achievement of the office's mandate.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
Education: Secondary School Education.

Experience: Five years of experience in administrative/financial/planning/programming/budgeting activities

Languages: Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency- level B) of another official language of the Organization (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

IT Skills: Good knowledge of the MS Office applications, Internet and office technology equipment.

Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building effective relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical Skills

• Thorough knowledge of corporate information systems.
• Thorough knowledge of programme and budget processes and procedures.
• Thorough knowledge of common administrative and financial rules and regulations.
• Thorough knowledge of communication and documentation standards.

Desirable Qualifications And Skills

• Very good knowledge of the corporate structure and processes, strategic work planning and operational monitoring.
• Ability to work under minimal supervision, taking ownership of delegated responsibilities.

Call For Expressions Of Interest - Vacancy Announcement
Job Posting
26/Nov/2025

Closure Date
10/Dec/2025, 11:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit
NFI

Job Type
Staff position

Type of Requisition
General Service

Grade Level
G-6

Primary Location
Italy-Rome

Duration
Fixed-term: two years with possibility of extension

Post Number
1017136

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
Staff in the General Service category are recruited locally from the Primary Location area, which is where the office is located.

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

FAO's commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.
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.