Office Assistant

Organizational Setting

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.

FAO's commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

The FAO Investment Centre (CFI) provides investment and finance solutions that lead to more efficient, sustainable, inclusive and resilient agrifood systems. Working in over 120 countries, the Centre provides a full suite of investment and finance support to FAO members. It partners with governments, international and national financing institutions, the private sector and farmers, research institutions and academia to improve the quality and quantity of agrifood investment. The Centre's four main areas of work include support to strategic investment planning and policy, public investment, private investment, and innovative finance. These are complemented by the knowledge for investment and capacity development for investment programmes that serve to share knowledge, learn and build capacities at country level. For additional information on the FAO Investment Centre, its activities, partners and the organizational structure please visit the following  link.

As part of its strategic investment planning and policy solutions, CFI collaborates with the European Union's Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA) to support sustainable agrifood systems' policies and investments. As part of this collaboration, CFI supports DG INTPA through the Sustainable Agrifood Systems Intelligence (SASI ) project and the AgrIntel Phase II project.
Through the SASI project, CFI provides technical support to formulation of evidence-driven strategies and investments for regional, national and local authorities and European Union Delegations to improve policies and mobilize, prioritize and target financing and investment in support of sustainable agrifood systems, efficient, competitive and inclusive agrifood value chains and regional growth corridors.

Under the AgrIntel phase II project, CFI provides advisory services to the European Union's Directorate-General for International Partnerships (INTPA) to ensure the financial, social and environmental sustainability of its agricultural investment operations. CFI also supports INTPA in assessing the investment proposals submitted to the Investment Committees of the various agricultural investment funds co-financed by the European Union, and in delivering on-demand analytics on specific value chains, food systems or investment thematic analytical work (blended finance etc.).

The position is located in the Office of the Director, FAO Investment Centre (CFI) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Main Purpose

The Office Assistant performs a variety of routine administrative transactions and office support functions contributing to the smooth and efficient running of the work unit.

Supervision Received/Exercised

The Office Assistant reports to the Programme Officer (Investment), in the CFID budget and HR unit in the office of CFI Director. He/she acts independently on routine matters and consults with Supervisor(s) on new and/or more complex issues and procedures. Supervision received provides for technical and procedural guidance and on-the-job learning.

Working Relationships

The Office Assistant interacts with a variety of colleagues from within the work unit. Interactions relate to the exchange of routine information and the provision of standard office support services.

Key Functions/Results

•     Type, format and draft routine correspondence; collate tables, reports, presentations, publications and other documentation.
•     Receive and direct telephone calls and visitors; screen and send e-mails; respond to routine internal and external enquiries and/or refer to appropriate contacts/units.
•     Enter, retrieve, structure and update selected information and data from various sources (e.g. Intra-/Internet, office files, etc.); present results in standard format.
•     Set up and maintain office files and reference systems according to standard procedures, including an e-book for signatures.
•     Initiate, view and track a variety of administrative transactions in the computerized financial, travel, human resources systems.
•     Support the organization and administration of meetings, workshops and events (e.g. arranging for meeting rooms and other facilities).
•     Assist with arranging for travels: organize transport, logistics, accommodation, documents.
•     Ensure availability of office supplies and appropriate maintenance of office equipment.
•     Perform other duties as required.

Impact Of Work

The Office Assistant participates as part of a team in the provision of administrative and office support services. Actions reflect on the immediate and wider work unit.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

Education: Secondary School Education.
Experience: Two years of relevant experience in office support work.
Languages: Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English.
IT Skills: 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 valid visa to work or a valid 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

•     Good knowledge of the communication and documentation standards.
•     Good knowledge of corporate computerized financial, travel, human resources systems and administrative procedures and policies.
•     Good knowledge of the organizational structure.
 

Desirable Qualifications And Skills

•     Ability to develop and maintain plans for key administrative matters (procedures relating to the  recruitment of  staff and hiring of consultant as well as the preparation and monitoring of budget).
•     Knowledge of human resources policies and procedures for staff and/or consultant recruitments.
•     Exposure to Letters of Agreements (LOAs) procedures and other corporate administrative matters.