Programme Assistant, Rome

FAO; Roma; On-site; EUR 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

FAO seeks a Programme Assistant to perform routine administrative and financial functions supporting CFID's programme delivery at FAO Headquarters in Rome.

The role involves data collection, procurement processing, budget status reporting, meeting logistics, and documentation; requires secondary education and at least three years of relevant experience in financial/administrative support; working knowledge of English and MS Office.

Qualifications

• Secondary school education is required.
• At least three years of experience in financial or administrative support.
• Proficiency in English at working level.

Responsibilities

• Collect and compile data on programme and project activities to support reporting and delivery.
• Initiate and follow up on administrative and financial actions related to staff management, affiliate workforce support, travel, payments, etc.
• Review and prepare routine documentation and correspondence related to procurement actions.
• Provide information on programme and/or project expenditures and status of programme and/or project budget.
• Process, format and proof-read reports, documents, publications and correspondence related to the work of the unit.
• Review and direct correspondence, calls and queries to appropriate contacts; provide background information; respond to routine enquiries.
• Make arrangements for meetings, seminars and events: implement logistics, prepare correspondence, compile and distribute documents, make administrative arrangements.
• Perform other duties as required.

Education

Secondary School Education

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Job Description

CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST - VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT : 2602116

Job Posting

12/Oct/2026

Closure Date

26/Oct/2026, 10:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit : CFI - FAO Investment Centre

Job Type

Staff position

Type of Requisition : General Service

Primary Location

Italy-Rome

Duration : Fixed-term: one year with possibility of extension

Post Number : 2010162

CCOG Code : 2102b

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.

Organizational Setting

The FAO Investment Centre (CFI) provides investment and finance solutions that lead to more efficient, sustainable, inclusive and resilient agrifood systems. Working in over 120 countries, the FAO Investment Centre (CFI) provides a full suite of investment and finance support to FAO Members. It partners with governments, international and national financing institutions, the private sector and farmers, research institutions and academia to improve the quality and quantity of agrifood investment. The Centre's four main areas of work include support to strategic investment planning and policy, public investment, private investment, and innovative finance. These are complemented by the innovation - knowledge for investment and capacity development for investment programmes that serve to share knowledge, learn and build capacities at country level. For additional information on the FAO Investment Centre, its activities, partners and the organizational structure please visit the following link.

The position is located in the Office of the Director (CFID) of the FAO Investment Centre (CFI) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Main Purpose

The Programme Assistant performs a wide range of routine administrative and financial functions in support of the delivery of the organizational unit's programme and projects.

Supervision Received/Exercised

The Programme Assistant reports to the Programme Officer in CFID with the overall guidance of the Director, CFI.
The incumbent acts independently in routine matters. Supervision received is focused on the quality of the work performed and provides for on-the-job learning.

Working Relationships

The Programme Assistant interacts with a wide variety of colleagues within the work unit and with immediate clients within the Organization, providing routine administrative and financial services.

Key Functions/Results

• Collect and compile data on programme and or project activities to support reporting and delivery.
• Initiate and follow up on administrative and financial actions related to staff management, affiliate workforce support, travel, payments, etc.
• Review and prepare routine documentation and correspondence related to assigned procurement actions
• Provide information on programme and/or project expenditures and status of programme and /or project budget.
• Process, format and proof-read reports, documents, publications and correspondence related to the work of the unit from draft texts.
• Review and direct correspondence, calls and queries to appropriate contacts; provide for background information; respond to routine enquiries.
• Make arrangements for meetings, seminars and events: implement logistics, prepare correspondence, compile and distribute documents, make administrative arrangements.
• Perform other duties as required.

Impact Of Work

The incumbent's work impacts on the timely and efficient delivery of the immediate work unit's programme.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Education

Secondary School Education.

Experience

Three years of relevant experience in financial and/or administrative support work.

Languages:

Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English.

IT Skills

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

Residency

General Service Staff are recruited locally. To be eligible for this position, candidates must be nationals of the country of the duty station or possess an existing valid visa to work or a valid work permit, and reside within commuting distance of the duty station at the time of the application. "Commuting distance" means the distance within which staff members can travel daily between their place of work and their residence.

Technical Skills

• Good knowledge of corporate information systems.
• Good knowledge of common administrative and financial rules and regulations.
• Good knowledge of communication and documentation standards.

Desirable Qualifications And Skills

• Good knowledge of corporate financial rules for general funds and trust funds.
• Good experience in supporting budget monitoring and reporting.
• Familiarity with corporate procedures covering staff and affiliate workforce.
• Familiarity with journal vouchers and accounting adjustments.
• Familiarity with Letters of Agreements (LoAs) and other FAO administrative matters

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)
• 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/
• The length of the appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to extension of appointments
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
• General Service Staff are recruited locally. To be eligible for this position, candidates must be nationals of the country of the duty station or possess an existing valid visa to work or valid work permit, and reside within commuting distance of the duty station at the time of the application. "Commuting distance" means the distance within which staff members can travel daily between their place of work and their residence.
• No international benefits will be payable as selected candidates are recruited locally and paid in the local currency of the office location
• For additional information visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/

FAO staff are expectedto adhereto FAO Values of Commitment to FAO,

Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

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