Operations Officer

Job ID: 2600710

Operations Officer

Job Posting Date: 03/Apr/2026

Application Closure Date: 24/Apr/2026, 11:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit: FRMLW

Job Type: Staff position

Type of Requisition: Professional Project

Grade Level: P-3

Primary Location: Malawi-Lilongwe

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

Post Number: 2005515

CCOG Code: 1A11

Important Notice: Please note that the displayed closure date and time are based on your personal device's settings. The appointment length for internal FAO candidates will align with applicable policies governing appointment extensions.

• FAO is dedicated to fostering workforce diversity across gender, nationality, background, and culture.
• We encourage applications from qualified female candidates, nationals of non- and under-represented Member countries, and persons with disabilities.
• All FAO personnel are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, embodying FAO’s core values.
• As a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, FAO strictly enforces a zero-tolerance policy against conduct incompatible with its status, objectives, and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination.
• All selected candidates will undergo thorough reference and background verification processes.
• All applications will be handled with the utmost confidentiality.
• FAO staff operate under the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to various activities or offices within the Organization.

FAO's commitment to environmental sustainability is a core component of our strategic objectives and operational framework.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) advances the 2030 Agenda through its Strategic Framework, aiming to transform agrifood systems into more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable models. This supports better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life for all, ensuring no one is left behind.

Organizational Setting

FAO, a specialized UN agency, leads global efforts to combat hunger. Its primary objective is to achieve universal food security, guaranteeing consistent access to sufficient, high-quality food for active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 Nations and the European Union), FAO operates in over 130 countries worldwide.

Operating under overarching corporate guidance and aligning with the Strategic Framework, FAO Country Offices provide policy advice and support to nations within FAO's mandate areas. This is facilitated through strategic partnerships, resource mobilization, and active country programs that deliver technical assistance, build capacities, and offer essential services. All activities strictly adhere to international accountability standards, aiming to establish leadership and enhance impact at the country level.

These offices effectively implement programmatic priorities agreed upon in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs), which are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). They also ensure efficient and effective operations with appropriate human and financial resources.

Specifically, FAO Country Offices undertake the following:

• Advocating for, informing, and supporting policies and investments relevant to FAO’s mandate.
• Delivering technical assistance and providing core services.
• Assisting in and catalyzing partnership and resource mobilization efforts to drive agrifood systems transformation.
• Positioning FAO as the authoritative technical agency in food, agriculture, and agrifood systems transformation.
• Ensuring risk-aware and accountable operations and management.

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) recently activated the "Ecosystem-based Adaptation for Resilient Watersheds and Communities in Malawi (EbAM)" project, with a total budget of USD 53.2 million. This project aims to enhance climate resilience in vulnerable watersheds and communities by strengthening watershed ecosystems, stabilizing productivity and farmer incomes, and improving the enabling environment.

Furthermore, the Government of Norway recently approved funding for the "Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Framework for Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) in Forests and Agriculture (MELBA Malawi)" project, budgeted at 40 million NOK. This initiative will operationalize a national MEL framework for EbA to inform climate change adaptation planning and report on national and international commitments.

This position is based at the FAO Representation in Lilongwe, Malawi.

Reporting Lines

The Operations Officer reports directly to the FAO Representative.

Technical Focus

This role involves leading and coordinating operational support for the field program, encompassing emergency, rehabilitation, and development projects, both nationally, regionally, and globally.

Key Results

Successful provision of operational support services.

Key Functions

• Serve as a primary point of contact for all project operational matters, organizing and managing daily operational activities for field programs (including emergency, rehabilitation, and development projects at national, regional, and global levels), and addressing emergent issues in consultation with supervisors throughout the execution period.