Programme Officer

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; Roma; On-site; EUR 54,000 - 81,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dependency allowances

Rental subsidy

Education grant for children

Home leave travel

UN pension fund entitlements

International health insurance

Job summary

The Forestry Division (NFO) at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Rome seeks a Programme Officer to lead and coordinate multi-disciplinary programme management activities. The role focuses on implementation, monitoring and evaluation of projects, with emphasis on budget coordination and governance across portfolios.

Applicants should hold an advanced degree and have proven experience in project management, policy development and stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration or public administration, social science, political science, international development, international relations or a related field.
• Five years of relevant experience in project or programme management, administration or related field.
• English at proficiency level; intermediate knowledge of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
• Building effective relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Responsibilities

• Participates in the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects; monitors and analyses programme/project development and implementation.
• Reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and tracks follow-up actions.
• Assists in policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies, etc.
• Prepares various written outputs, e.g. drafts background papers, analyses, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.
• Undertakes outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
• Coordinates activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).

Skills

Building effective relationships

Knowledge Sharing

Continuous Improvement

Education

Master’s degree or equivalent in business/public administration or related field

Job description

Job Description - Programme Officer (2602223)

Job Description

2602223

Job Posting

28/Oct/2026

Closure Date

18/Nov/2026, 10:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit : NFO

Job Type

Staff position

Type of Requisition : Professional Project

Primary Location

Italy-Rome

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

Post Number : 2011203

CCOG Code : 1A02

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based ondate and time settings ofyour personal device

The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments

FAO Diversity Commitment

• 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 Forestry Division (NFO) leads FAO's work in promoting sustainable forest management and providing leadership on the environmental, social and economic dimensions of forestry, including its contributions to poverty reduction and food security and nutrition. Staff of the Division liaises with Members, civil society and the private sector in aspects ranging from development of effective forest policies to forest conservation and management issues and strengthens the role of forests in climate change mitigation and adaptation. The Division also collects analyses and disseminates information on the world's forest resources and on the production, trade and consumption of wood and non-wood forest products.

Reporting Lines

The Programme Officer reports to the Senior Coordinator (NFO Support Hub)

Technical Focus

Implementation, monitoring, review and assessment of policies, programmes, operations and activities in assigned functional areas.

Key Results

Develop, implement, monitor and evaluate assigned programme/projects.

Key Functions

• Participates in the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects, etc.; monitors and analyses programme/project development and implementation.
• Reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and tracks follow-up actions.
• Assists in policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies, etc.
• Prepares various written outputs, e.g. drafts background papers, analyses, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.
• Undertakes outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
• Coordinates activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).

Specific Functions

• S upports the operation of the NFO Support Hub by coordinating programme and project management processes across NFO teams and ensuring timely follow-up on corporate requirements and deliverables.
• Consolidates and analyses programme, operational and financial information from across NFO portfolios to support planning, performance monitoring and management decision-making.
• Monitors programme and project delivery trends, identifies implementation bottlenecks and risks, and prepares recommendations to support timely corrective actions.
• Supports NFO budget holders in the preparation of planning and monitoring exercises, including inputs to PWB implementation, PBR processes and other corporate reporting requirements.
• Maintains and further develops tools, dashboards and tracking systems to monitor programme and project implementation, delivery, compliance and reporting obligations.
• Supports risk management, audit follow-up and internal control processes, including monitoring implementation of mitigation measures and recommendations.
• Supports knowledge management within the NFO Support Hub, including the documentation and dissemination of lessons learned and good practices from programme and project implementation.
• Serves as focal point for coordination with relevant technical, operational and corporate units on programme and project management matters.
• Contributes to the continuous improvement of programme management practices, business processes and operational efficiencies within the NFO Support Hub.
• Supports the inclusion of gender dimensions in the work of the Team.
• Performs other related duties, as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration or public administration, social science, political science, international development, international relations or a related field.
• Five years of relevant experience in project or programme management, administration or related field.
• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
• 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 the field of administration, human resources, finance and general management.
• Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project formulation, analysis, planning and implementation.
• Extent of knowledge of planning and budgetary processes and associated tools.
• Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment
• Extension of fixed term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of funds
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

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://commonsystem.org/cp/default.asp

Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include:

• Dependency allowances
• Rental subsidy
• Education grant for children
• Home leave travel
• 30 working days of annual leave per year
• Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund
• International health insurance; optional life insurance
• Disability protection

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