Operations Specialist

Fao; United States; On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Part time

Job summary

FAO’s Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE) in Cairo seeks an Operations Specialist (non-staff PSA) to support day-to-day financial operations and ensure compliance with internal controls.

You will coordinate across technical and administrative units, prepare reports, monitor budgets, and assist in audit recommendations, emphasizing risk management and operational effectiveness.

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree in business administration, economics, international development, agriculture, project management or related field.
• At least one year of relevant experience in programme/project management, operations or coordination.
• Working knowledge of English; knowledge of another FAO official language is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day operational aspects of regional projects and ensure alignment with FAO procedures and internal controls.
• Prepare, review and process operational documentation, implementation plans and records.
• Monitor operational processes, mitigate risks and support audit recommendations.
• Assist in preparing reports, briefs and presentations for internal stakeholders.
• Collect and analyze information to support decision-making and reporting.
• Coordinate among technical and administrative units to ensure compliance and organize meetings and events.
• Liaise with country offices and headquarters to support coordination and implementation.
• Identify operational challenges and contribute to recommendations for process improvements.

Skills

Project management

Operations coordination

Reporting

Teamwork

English proficiency

Education

Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant field

Tools

MS Office

Job description

CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST – VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT** 2601718
Operations Specialist

Job Posting

: 11/Aug/2026

Closure Date

: 01/Sep/2026, 9:59:00 PM
Organizational Unit: RNE – Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (Cairo)

Job Type

: Non-staff opportunities
Type of Requisition: Consultant / PSA (Personal Services Agreement)
Grade Level: N/A

Primary Location

: Various Locations
Duration: Up to 11 Months

• 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 person 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’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

Organizational Setting

The Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE) leads FAO’s support to countries in the Region in transforming their agrifood systems to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It identifies regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development and ensures the planning and implementation of FAO’s strategic response in the region through a multidisciplinary approach. It implements approved programmes and projects, monitors programme implementation and ensures that they contribute to addressing regional priorities.

RNE supports regional policy dialogues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports knowledge exchange, capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region. It develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions, including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs).

The Finance Unit of RNE provides financial management support to ensure effective implementation of FAO programmes and operations in the Region. The Unit supports sound financial stewardship through timely and accurate processing of financial transactions, monitoring of budget implementation, financial reporting, account reconciliation, asset management and the application of FAO’s financial policies, procedures and internal control frameworks.

The Operations Specialist will contribute to the effective delivery of financial services by supporting the day-to-day financial operations of the Regional Office, ensuring accuracy, compliance and efficiency in financial processes, and providing quality support to internal stakeholders.

Reporting Lines

The Operations Specialist will report to the Senior Advisor.

Technical Focus

Provide operational management support to RNE initiatives through effective coordination, monitoring of implementation processes, support to project cycle management, reporting, and facilitation of operational linkages between, administrative and technical teams.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Support the day-to-day operational aspects of RNE projects throughout the project cycle, in accordance with established FAO operational procedures, internal control requirements and risk management measures, and in response to audit recommendations, as applicable.
• Provide operational support for the preparation, review and processing of operational documentation, implementation plans and related records, ensuring compliance with applicable policies, procedures and internal control requirements.
• Support monitoring of operational processes and implementation of operational activities, to strengthen operational oversight, mitigate operational risks and support the implementation of audit recommendations.
• Assist in the preparation of reports, briefs, presentations, and other relevant documentation.
• Collect, compile and analyze information and data to support decision-making and reporting.
• Support coordination among technical units, administrative services and relevant stakeholders to ensure compliance with operational procedures, internal controls and risk mitigation measures. Provide support in the preparation and organization of meetings, workshops, missions and other related events.
• Liaise with FAO technical units, country offices and headquarters units to support operational coordination, compliance and implementation of audit recommendations. Maintain and update monitoring tools, databases and information systems, as applicable.
• Support the preparation of correspondence with partners, institutions and other stakeholders.
• Assist in identifying operational challenges and contribute to recommendations for improving operational effectiveness and processes with particular emphasis on strengthening internal controls, managing operational risks and implementing audit recommendations.
• Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in business administration, economics, international development, agriculture, project management, public administration, international relations 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 one year of relevant experience in programme/project management, operations, coordination or related areas.
• Working knowledge of English. Knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) would be an asset.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience supporting programme or project implementation, monitoring and reporting.
• Experience in preparing project documents, reports, briefs and other programme-related materials.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities.
• Ability to analyze information, identify issues and support practical solutions.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders in an international environment.
• Good communication and coordination skills.
• Proficiency in standard office software applications.
• Experience working with the United Nations system or international organizations would be an asset.
• Knowledge of FAO programme management procedures and systems would be desirable.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)
• Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list
• 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/
• For more information, visit the FAO employment website
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT