Junior Programme Support Assistant

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Our goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives.
The FAO Representation on Bangladesh was established in 1978, and since then it supports country’s efforts in agriculture, food, forestry, fisheries, livestock, rural development, and climate change. Bangladesh, home to the world's most densely populated flood-plain delta, faces fast population growth, dwindling land resources, natural disasters and global climate change, as well as rising prices of food, fuel, and fertilizer. Despite these challenges, the country's farmers and fishers are remarkably resilient.
The Diversified Resilient Agriculture for Improved Food and Nutrition Security (RAINS) is financed by the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) and implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture in Bangladesh under the supervision of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), with FAO providing technical assistance. The project contributes to the public investment priority of achieving food and nutrition security resilience of rural households to environmental and economic shocks. Its development objective is to build the sector’s resilience to shocks by supporting households in vulnerable climatic zones to improve nutrition status and increase income through diversified climate and nutrition sensitive production systems and improved off-farm opportunities along value chains.

The position is offered at salary level SC1.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative in Bangladesh, and direct supervision of the Senior Technical Adviser (STA) and in coordination with the project team to support the implementation of project activities.

Technical focus

The incumbent will support the project activities by facilitating training, coordination, and market linkage initiatives, with a focus on nutrition, women, and youth empowerment. Also contributes to monitoring, data capture, communications, and overall project management support.

Tasks and responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of the incumbent will include, but not limited to the followings:

1) Provide support to RAINS project Component 1 Nutrition-Sensitive Agricultural Production to increase availability of diversified, nutritious, safe and demand-driven foods and Component 2 Market Linkage and Off-Farm Diversification to support farmers and producers to access markets, among others but not limited to:

• Assisting in organizing meetings, workshops, roundtables, and training sessions for farmers (groups) and woman- and youth focused activities
• Support in preparing materials, handouts and presentations to improve knowledge, practices and services in nutrition and the socio-economic status of women
• Support promoting woman- and youth tailored off-farm income-generating activities to promote employment and self-employment opportunities
• Support coordination with the RAINS Project Management Unit

2) Provide support to RAINS project Component 3 Management and Coordination, among others but not limited to:

• Assist in monitoring and evaluation tasks related to project beneficiaries
• Support capturing data/evidence and lessons learned for policy engagement
• Assist in project communications activities, and to support activities for the “International Year of the Woman Farmer” under the project scope

3) Any other tasks assigned by the supervisor

FAO Standards and guidelines:

• Liaison with OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, aligned messaging, and appropriate review and clearance processes.
• All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including:
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31: https://www.fao.org/strategic-framework/en
FAO social media policy and guidelines: https://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia
Social Media Branding Guidelines: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb5044en
FAOSTYLEhttps://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081en
FAO terminologyhttp://www.fao.org/faoterm
FAO Names Of Countrieshttps://www.fao.org/nocs/en
Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff).
• Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Food Science or relevant field
• At least one year of relevant experience in Agriculture, Food Science, Development sector or any other related field
• Working knowledge of (level C) English
• National of Bangladesh

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Working knowledge of Bangla is preferable
• Proficient computer skills - Microsoft Office software, email, internet, spread sheets;
• Skills in supporting project management

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• 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 additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.