Looking for a new job? The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is hiring an Office Assistant. Apply now
Background
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition and food security. Its Latin motto, fiat panis, translates to “let there be bread”. It was founded on 16 October 1945.
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About FAO
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency that leads international efforts to defeat hunger, improve agricultural productivity, promote rural development, and ensure sustainable food systems. Established in 1945, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide, bringing together governments, organizations, and communities to address food and nutrition challenges.
Mission:
FAO’s mission is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active and healthy lives. The organization strives to eliminate hunger, malnutrition, and poverty by promoting sustainable agricultural practices, improving agricultural productivity, enhancing the resilience of rural communities, and facilitating inclusive and efficient food systems.
Key Areas of Work:
- Food Security: FAO works to improve access to nutritious food and promote sustainable agriculture to ensure food security for all.
- Agriculture and Rural Development: FAO supports smallholder farmers, promotes sustainable farming practices, and helps rural communities develop their agricultural potential.
- Sustainable Natural Resource Management: FAO promotes the sustainable management of land, water, forests, and fisheries to safeguard ecosystems and enhance resilience.
- Climate Change and Resilience: FAO assists countries in adapting to climate change, mitigating its impacts, and building resilience in agricultural and food systems.
- Nutrition and Food Systems: FAO advocates for healthy diets, nutrition education, and sustainable food systems that prioritize nutrition and well-being.
- Policy and Governance: FAO provides policy advice, technical assistance, and capacity development to member countries to improve agricultural policies and governance.
Activities and Initiatives:
FAO implements a wide range of activities and initiatives, including research and analysis, knowledge sharing, capacity building, technical assistance, and policy support. It collaborates with governments, civil society organizations, research institutions, and the private sector to address food and agriculture challenges at global, regional, and national levels. FAO also leads important global initiatives such as the World Food Day and the International Year of…
FAO’s work spans various sectors, including crop production, livestock, fisheries, forestry, land management, and food safety. The organization provides expertise in areas such as agricultural development, food systems planning, rural poverty reduction, climate-smart agriculture, sustainable fisheries management, and emergency response to food crises.
Overall, FAO plays a crucial role in promoting sustainable agriculture, combating hunger and malnutrition, and supporting the development of resilient and inclusive food systems to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals related to food security and sustainable agriculture.
Why work at FAO
Working at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience for several reasons:
- Meaningful Impact: FAO’s mission is to eradicate hunger, promote sustainable agriculture, and ensure food security for all. By working at FAO, you have the opportunity to contribute to this important global cause and make a positive impact on the lives of millions of people around the world.
- Global Reach: FAO operates in over 130 countries, providing a unique opportunity to work in an international and multicultural environment. You will collaborate with colleagues from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and expertise, enriching your professional and personal growth.
- Interdisciplinary Approach: FAO’s work spans across various sectors, including agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and rural development. This interdisciplinary approach allows you to gain a comprehensive understanding of the complex challenges and opportunities in the food and agriculture sector.
- Professional Development: FAO emphasizes continuous learning and professional development. The organization offers various training programs, workshops, and opportunities for skill enhancement, allowing you to expand your knowledge, expertise, and professional network.
- Collaboration and Partnership: FAO collaborates closely with governments, NGOs, research institutions, and other international organizations. Working at FAO provides opportunities to engage with a wide range of stakeholders and build partnerships to address global food security and sustainable agriculture challenges collectively.
- Innovation and Research: FAO encourages innovation and research to find sustainable solutions for global food and agriculture issues. If you have a passion for innovation, technology, and research, FAO offers a platform to explore and apply innovative approaches to agricultural practices, food systems, and policy development.
- Work-Life Balance: FAO promotes a healthy work-life balance and strives to create a supportive and inclusive work environment. The organization values the well-being of its staff and offers flexible work arrangements, family-friendly policies, and comprehensive benefits packages.
- International Exposure: Working at FAO provides exposure to international conferences, events, and high-level meetings. You may have the opportunity to represent FAO at global forums, engage with policymakers, and contribute to shaping international agendas related to food security and sustainable agriculture.
- Career Opportunities: FAO offers a wide range of career opportunities in various fields, including agriculture, economics, policy, environmental sciences, nutrition, and more. It provides a platform for long-term career growth, professional advancement, and mobility within the organization.
- Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: FAO is committed to promoting diversity, gender equality, and inclusion in its workforce. It values different perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds, fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment.
Overall, working at FAO allows you to be part of a global organization dedicated to addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges related to food security, sustainable agriculture, and rural development. It offers a platform to contribute your skills, knowledge, and passion towards building a world free from hunger and poverty.
Details to the post
Office Assistant
Job Posting: 10/May/2024
Closure Date: 31/May/2024, 11:59:00 PM
Organizational Unit: FRGAM
Job Type: Staff position
Type of Requisition: General Service
Grade Level: G-5
Primary Location: Gambia-Banjul
Duration: Fixed-term: 2 years with possibility of extension
Key Functions/Results
• Screen requests for appointments with supervisor; maintain supervisor’s calendar; confirm mutually convenient schedules and arrange appointments; receive visitors; screen and send e-mails; respond to queries and correspondence, often of a sensitive, confidential or technical nature.
• Coordinate office support services for meetings, trainings, seminars, committees and special projects and events; attend meetings, prepare minutes, monitor follow-up activities; make arrangements for formal editing, translation, etc., of documents and publications.
• Review, record, distribute and process incoming mail and correspondence; follow-up on pending actions; prepare draft responses to a wide range of correspondence and other communications, often requiring knowledge of technical terminologies and/or detailed office procedures; carry out quality control functions for outgoing documents; proofread texts for adherence to format, grammar, punctuation and style.
• Perform a variety of administrative duties, e.g. contract extensions and requests for temporary staff, leave and attendance recording, budget preparation and follow-up; coordinate with other units to ensure smooth running and expedition of work within the unit.
• Research, compile and organize background information and reference materials from various sources for reports, briefs and speeches; generate a variety of statistical and other reports from various databases.
• Coordinate the work of other office support staff, establish priorities and ensure equitable distribution of work; train new staff to relevant administrative procedures and practices and provide general assistance as required.
• Create and maintain the work unit’s filing and reference systems, including an e-book for signatures; review the efficiency of office procedures and make recommendations for improvements; update office websites.
• Perform other duties as required.
Impact Of Work
The incumbent’s work impacts directly on the smooth and efficient running of the Office. He/she plays a lead role in the provision of office support services for successful achievement of the organizational unit’s mandate.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
Education: Secondary School Education.
Experience: Four years of relevant experience in office/management support work.
Languages: Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English.
IT Skills: Very good knowledge of the MS Office applications, Internet and office technology equipment.
Residency: General Service Staff are recruited locally. To be eligible for this position, candidates must be nationals of the country of the duty station or possess an existing visa/work permit and reside within commuting distance of the duty station at the time of the application. “Commuting distance” means the distance within which staff members can travel daily between their place of work and their residence.
Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical Skills
• Very good knowledge of communication (both written and oral) and documentation standards.
• Very good knowledge of corporate systems/tools and administrative policies and procedures.
• Very good knowledge of the organizational structure at different levels, especially with field context.
Desirable Qualifications And Skills
• Excellent writing skills and finalizing official correspondence.
• High degree of discretion and ability to work under pressure.
• Ability to handle multiple requests simultaneously.
• Knowledge of the corporate publication policy, rules and workflow.
• Good knowledge of events planning and organizing is a strong asset.
• Knowledge of flagship publications and experience in organizing high level meetings.
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