National Project Assistant

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations.  With presently 194 member states, and working in more than 130 countries worldwide, including South Africa. 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.

The main of the FAO Country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. FAO Country Office activities include the design and implementation of country-specific field programs, liaison with local donors' representatives and active outreach activities related to FAO initiatives.

The FAO Country Office in South Africa is working with the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development WHO and UNICEF in the approved second call on Pandemic Fund for South Africa in the project entitled “Building a Resilient Future: Strengthening Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response in South Africa through a One Health Approach”. The project is led by the Department of Health (DOH) in partnership with Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development. FAO, WHO and UNICEF are the Implementing Entities who are going to work with designated delivery partners in the project. The Project aims at strengthening national health systems to effectively respond to pandemics through improved surveillance, laboratory systems, and capacity building.  It will focus on enhancing pandemic preparedness and will be implemented during 2025 to 2027.

The project is centered around three key areas of focus which are: 

• Surveillance and Early Warning Systems: Development and enhancement of systems that can promptly detect potential pandemic threats.
• Laboratory Systems: Strengthening laboratory capacity to diagnose and respond to emerging pathogens effectively.
• Capacity Development: Building the skills and competencies of local institutions and personnel to better prepare for and manage one health emergencies

Reporting Lines

Under the joint supervision of the FAO Representative in South Africa through the AFAOR Programmes and technical guidance of the Project Coordinator, National Project Specialist, Lead Technical Officer (LTO) for the Southern Africa (SFS) and Headquarters and the Project Task Team, the Project assistant will undertake the following tasks

Technical focus

A Project Assistant is being sought to assist the project team in ensuring smooth operational processes, efficient documentation, and timely reporting in accordance with the project’s objectives and framework during implementation of the project.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Support the design and implementation of training programmes and capacity-building initiatives.
• Support the development and implementation of a comprehensive stakeholder communication plan
• Support the project staff in monitoring & evaluation and assisting with the timely uploading of project reports and documents onto the Financial and Project Management Information System (FPMIS).
• Review technical documents for completeness and compliance before submission.
• Support the project team during the implementation of project activities under the three key focus areas:
  a) Surveillance enhancement
  b) Strengthening of laboratory systems
  c) Capacity building of national personnel
• Assist in planning, organizing, and coordinating training workshops and meetings, including venue arrangements, participant invitations, and materials preparation
• Facilitate logistics and administrative support during workshops and meetings and attend meetings with stakeholders, project staff, and partners.
• Prepare comprehensive meeting reports and minutes, ensuring all action points are clearly documented and assigned
• Organize and maintain project documents, ensuring that all records are accurate and up to date.
• Develop and implement filing systems (both electronic and physical) for easy retrieval of project documents
• Monitor and assist in tracking follow-up activities related to project implementation.
• Keep an updated log of pending actions and deadlines, sending reminders to relevant team members as necessary.
• Provide technical and administrative support across various functions of the project, including reviewing of technical reports, scheduling, correspondence, and logistical arrangements.
• Assist with procurement processes and maintain inventory of project supplies.
• Perform any other relevant duties as assigned by the Project coordinator.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in agriculture
• A minimum of 3 years working experience in animal health discipline
• Working knowledge (level C) of English,
• National of South Africa

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Very good knowledge of the communication and documentation standards
• Very good knowledge of corporate computerized financial systems and administrative procedures and policies
• Very good knowledge of the organizational structure

Selection Criteria

• Knowledge of key stakeholders in animal health related field
• Excellent communication and report writing skills
• Competency in technical and administrative work
• Strong project management skills, with experience in computerized financial/travel/human resources systems and administrative procedures and policies
• Proficiency in data analysis and the use of project management software

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION