General

Description of assignment title: Administrative Support Assistant

Assignment country: Thailand

Duty stations: Bangkok

Work location: UN Premises

Expected start date: 02/02/2026

Duration: 6 months(with possibility of extension)

Sustainable Development Goal: 1. No poverty

Host entity: IFAD THA

Modality: Onsite

Type: National

Volunteer category: Specialist (2025)

Work arrangement: Full-time

Number of Assignments: 1

Details

Mission and objectives:

• The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is an international financial institution and a specialized United Nations agency dedicated to eradicating rural poverty and hunger. It does so by investing in rural people. IFAD finances programmes and projects that increase agricultural productivity and raise rural incomes, and advocates at the local, national and international level for policies that contribute to rural transformation.

Context:

• The Department for Country Operations (DCO) oversees the origination, design and management of IFAD investments, including sovereign and non-sovereign operations, as well as the design and implementation of non-lending activities within country programmes, including policy engagement and SSTC. DCO is the department that primarily interfaces with governments, the private sector and other stakeholders to deliver IFAD's programme of work and to provide oversight to ensure quality of the portfolio.
• DCO is led by an Associate Vice-President and is composed of five (5) regional divisions: Asia and the Pacific Division (APR), East and Southern Africa Division (ESA), Latin America and Caribbean Division (LAC) , Near East, North Africa and Europe Division (NEN) and West and Central Africa Division (WCA), the Private Sector Operations Division (PSD), and two (2) units: the South-South and Triangular Cooperation Unit (SSTC) and the fragility unit (FRU).
• The Regional Division APR is led by a Divisional Director, based in the IFAD Regional Office in Bangkok, Thailand. The Division leads on the design and delivery of IFAD country and regional programmes in APR. The precise country coverage of the division varies across replenishment periods.

Task description:

• The National UN Volunteer Specialist will operate under the overall guidance of the Regional Director and the direct supervision of the APR Administrative and Resource Analyst, with matrix supervision from the MSD (Management Services Division) Corporate Services Manager. The incumbent will work in close coordination with the MSD Administrative Pool and the APR Office Assistant to support effective administrative and operational services. More specifically:
• Assists in managing the flow of incoming and outgoing correspondence, e-mails and telephone inquiries by gathering background information, facilitating communication among team members, and maintaining organized filing and reference systems (both digital and physical) in line with established practices.
• Provides administrative and operational support to the team to help ensure the effective and compliant use of resources. This includes applying internal procedures, supporting the tracking of documents and deadlines, helping monitor progress on priority actions, and contributing to the organization of meetings, workshops and official travel. Assists in maintaining attendance and leave records, and compile information from various sources to support the preparation of briefing notes and other materials.
• Support the (matrix) supervisor in preparing draft responses to routine and non-routine inquiries, coordinating inputs for complex requests, and helping ensure timely submission of reports, correspondence and other documents. Review draft documents for clarity, completeness and adherence to established formats and guidelines, prepare correspondence for signature, and provide informal translation of communications when required.

Eligibility criteria

Age: 18 - 80

Required experience: 3 years

Nationality: Candidate must be a national, legal resident or hold refugee status in the country of assignment.

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience:

• 3 years

Languages:

• English, Level: Fluent, Required
• Thai, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable

Required education level:

• Bachelor's degree in Administration, social science, or related

Competencies and values:

• Accountability
• Creativity
• Judgement and decision-making
• Planning and organising
• Professionalism
• Self-management

Skills and experience:

• experience working in an international context is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization.
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills.
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development.
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment.
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.
• Desirable: valid national driver's license and proven ability to drive manual gear 4x4 over rough terrain.
• Sound security awareness.
• Have affinity with or interest in volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN system.

Area(s) of expertise:

• Administration

Driving license:

• -

Other information