Operational Support Specialist
Pubblicato il 18-08-2026 - Fao in Roma
Job Posting: 13/Oct/2025 Closure Date: 27/Oct/2025, 5:59:00 PM Organizational Unit: FO - Forestry Department Job Type: Non-staff opportunities Type of Requisition: Consultant / PSA (Personal Services Agreement) Grade Level: N/A Primary Location: Italy-Rome Duration: 11 months (with possibility of renewal) Post Number: N/A IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
- 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
- FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations._ **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. It 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 Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) Team is a partnership between FAO, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) and AgriCord, housed in the NFO and supported under an umbrella programme and a multi-donor Trust Fund, focusing on climate-resilient landscapes and improved livelihoods. FFF sees the Forest and Farm Producer Organizations (FFPOs) which represent smallholders, rural women's groups, local communities and indigenous peoples' institutions as the key agents of change in rural landscapes. The position is located in the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) Team of the Forestry Division (NFO) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. **Reporting Lines** The Specialist will work under the overall supervision of the Manager/OiC of the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) and the direct supervision of the Lead FFF Forestry Officer. They may be called upon to collaborate with other FAO Divisions and teams. **Technical Focus** The Specialist will support effective programme operations, coordination, and delivery. **Tasks and responsibilities** The Specialist will contribute to and/or take responsibility for one or more of the following tasks: - Provide day-to-day operational support to the FFF programme team.
- Assist in the preparation, amendment, and closure of service contracts, LoAs, and DBGs, budget tracking, and reporting in line with FAO rules and procedures.
- Support the review of supporting documentation, interim and final reports submitted by Regional FFPOs and implementing partners.
- Support FFF operations with the closure of FFF Phase II including checking reports, payments and all relevant documentation provided for over 200 grants.
- Support the operational development of project and program documents using FAO’s project cycle.
- Support organization of missions, workshops, and events.
- Contribute to smooth communication and follow-up with regional and country teams.
- Assist as required with improved documentation, monitoring, and knowledge management.
- Track opportunities for funding for FFPOs and value chain actors. Task includes expanding the already existing initial list and conducting periodic monitoring/tracking of opportunities.
- Support operational appraisal of project proposals for FFPOs and SMEs funding opportunities, ensuring completeness and compliance with requirements.
- Assist in capturing good practices, lessons learned, and results from project implementation for programme final reporting and closure.
- Contribute to the consolidation of data and information across FFF countries, including funds and financing sources with potential interest for FFPOs (possibly with focus in selected countries/regions).
- For Consultant: Assist in maintaining contacts/cultivate relationships with selected financing institutions that participate in blended finance meetings and matchmaking events (possibly with focus in selected countries/regions). **CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING** **Minimum