- Location
- Rome · Italy
- Application deadline
- 18 November 2026
- Field of work
- Administration & policy
- Contract
- See original vacancy
- Listing language
- EN
- Last checked
- 28 October 2026
Education and experience
Passages from the published notice. Read the original vacancy for complete eligibility and application conditions.
Education
Required
- • 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.
Experience
Required
- • Five years of relevant experience in project or programme management, administration or related field.
Preferred
- • Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable.
Job description
Job Description - Programme Officer (2602223)
Job Description
2602223
Programme Officer
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
Grade Level: P-3
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 on date and time settings of your 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 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.
The position is located in the Forestry Division (NFO) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.
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
· Supports 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
Minimum Requirements
• 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).
Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• 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.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ 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
______________________________________________________________________________________________________ HOW TO APPLY
• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications and language skills; • Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile; • Once your profile is completed, please apply and submit your application; • Your application will be screened based on the information provided on your online profile; • 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/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings. • Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications; • Incomplete applications will not be considered; • Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application • Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered; • Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile • We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.
If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp
FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT
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Original vacancy: FAO · Description checked 28 October 2026
The original vacancy sets the qualifications, nationality rules, pay, required languages and exact closing time. Read the full notice before applying.