National Project Assistant

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

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

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

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application

• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

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