Country Director Business Support Associate FT-G6

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WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, color, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide.  The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes.  Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

In 2018, WFP re-established its presence in the Caribbean with an office in Barbados. The WFP Caribbean Multi-Country Office supports 22 countries and territories across the English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean. WFP Caribbean’s capacity strengthening programme focuses on vulnerability analysis and mapping; end-to-end supply chain management; shock-responsive social protection; food systems strengthening; and climate risk financing. In times of crisis, WFP works with partners to provide direct assistance when events surpass national and regional capacities by delivering food, cash or voucher assistance, or through emergency logistics or emergency service provision.

Reporting directly to the Representative and Country Director for the WFP Caribbean Multi-Country Office to provide support as the primary focal point of contact on internal and external business affairs.

JOB PURPOSE

To coordinate and control a full range of business support services for a specific professional area of work, to ensure that services are delivered effectively.  

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

1. In-charge of variety of administrative tasks for the Country Director Office including but not limited to managing an active calendar of appointments; completion of expense reports; composing and preparing for all correspondence including confidential documentations; arranging complex and detailed travel plans, itineraries and agendas including preparation of briefing materials for use on official trips or special meetings.

2. Prepare and/or consolidate comprehensive reports, documentation, correspondence, briefing notes, etc. and conduct research in the area of work. 

3. Actively seek and use feedback to improve business processes and procedures.

4. Respond to complex business support queries in order to provide a timely and accurate resolution of enquiries for clients. 

5. Oversee the maintenance of records and databases to ensure information is organised and readily available for staff and compliant with all relevant regulations and policies.

6. Revise and review correspondence and documentation, providing feedback and making amendments where appropriate, to contribute to production of these materials to time and quality standards. 

CONTINUATION OF KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

7. Assist managers in planning, monitoring and reconciling budget(s) to ensure that planned financial resources are used effectively.

8. Assess and recommend improvements to procedures and practices, to contribute to the effective delivery of business support services.

9. Provide a full range of complex business support services to staff to contribute to the effective functioning of business operations.  

10. Provide advice, support and/or training to junior support staff in the provision of business support services, in order to support their learning in providing business support.

11. Maintain policy, confidential and general management files. 

12. Coordinate tasks of junior colleagues to ensure support services are delivered consistently and to the required standards.

13. Perform other related duties as required.

OTHER POST REQUIREMENTS

1. Strong organizational skills that reflect ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with attention to details.

2. Proven ability to handle confidential information with discretion, be adaptable to various competing demands and demonstrate the highest level of customer/client servie and response.

3. Broad-based experience on managing multidimensional agendas, travel plans, organization of high-level missions and events, visa and consular processes, coordination of activities with a diverse team.

4. Punctual and reliable with high interpersonal, problem solving and multitasking skills.

5. Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain good relationships internally and externally including coordination with other United Nations Agencies, Government, Donors and other organizations supporting the effective implementation of the multi country office operation.

6. Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel and Power Point), Adobe Acrobat, and social media web platforms.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Completion of secondary school education. A post-secondary certificate in the related functional area.

Experience: Six or more years of progressively responsible work experience in the relative business stream with experience in general administrative work. Experience as a special assistant, Director’s assistant is strongly preferred.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Specialised knowledge of the application of common business processes, practical business support methods, procedures and systems used in area of work, gained through technical training and work experience.
• Good communication skills in order to provide specialised business support services to a wide range of individuals.
• Ability to analyse and interpret financial data and monitor budgets.
• Ability to proactively identify and recommend areas for improvement to the design and delivery of specialised services. 
• Ability to build relationships with a variety of individuals across functions.
• Experience in coordinating the work of others and self and training and supporting others.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Language:  Fluency (level C) in English.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Who Can Apply?

• This position is open to citizens of Barbados or CARICOM member states and associate members. CARICOM Nationals applying for National positions outside of their home country bear sole responsibility for required actions or expenses related to relocation, accommodation, repatriation, and any other living expenses, etc. A CARICOM Skilled National Certificate is a pre-requisite of employment for successful candidates who are not from the country for which the position is advertised.

Employment Particulars

• Position:  Country Director Business Support Associate 
• Type of Contract: Fixed Term. General Service Level 6.
• Duration on Contract: 12 months with the possibility of extension, based on organizational requirements.
• Duty Station: Bridgetown, Barbados.
• Remuneration: The salary for this position can be found in the UN Salaries-General Service and related categories.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

• Application should be submitted by August 25, 2022, 23:59 Eastern Daylight Time.
• Please note that applications received after the deadline will not be considered and only short-listed qualified candidates will receive an acknowledgment.

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All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.