Founded in 1961 and assisting 80 million people in around 80 countries each year, the World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organization fighting hunger worldwide, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience.
WFP’s efforts focus on emergency assistance, relief and rehabilitation, development aid and special operations. Two-thirds of its work is in conflict-affected countries where people are three times more likely to be undernourished than those living in countries without conflict.
In emergencies, WFP is often first on the scene, providing food assistance to the victims of war, civil conflict, drought, floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, crop failures and natural disasters. When the emergency subsides, WFP helps communities rebuild shattered lives and livelihoods. WFP also works to strengthen the resilience of people and communities affected by protracted crises by applying a development lens in its humanitarian response.
WFP is the largest humanitarian organisation implementing school feeding programmes worldwide and has been doing so for over 50 years. Each year, WFP provides school meals to between 20 and 25 million children across 63 countries, often in the hardest-to-reach areas.
Job Description
Job Posting Organization: The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, dedicated to saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. Established in 1961, WFP operates in over 80 countries, employing thousands of staff members who are committed to the mission of eradicating hunger and improving nutrition. WFP is recognized for its efforts and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 202
The organization emphasizes diversity and inclusion, encouraging qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply for positions within the organization. WFP's core values include Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion, which guide its operations and interactions with partners and beneficiaries. To learn more about WFP, visit their official website and follow them on various social media platforms for updates and news.
Job Overview: The Business Support Assistant (G5) position at WFP's Global Office in Berlin is crucial for ensuring the smooth operation of daily administrative and logistical activities. The incumbent will be responsible for delivering a wide range of administrative and business support activities that facilitate effective service delivery. This role requires a proactive and client-oriented approach, with the ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters. The successful candidate will produce accurate and organized work with minimal supervision, maintain effective communication, and contribute to the overall efficiency of the office. The position is integral to supporting WFP's partnerships with the governments of Germany, Austria, and Liechtenstein, as well as raising public awareness about hunger and malnutrition. The Business Support Assistant will work closely with various stakeholders, including WFP HQ Divisions, Regional and Country Offices, and external partners such as embassies and UN agencies.
Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities of the Business Support Assistant (G5) include, but are not limited to: collating information for reports, documents, and correspondence to support the work of other staff; exchanging information with WFP HQ Divisions, Regional and Country Offices, and external partners; responding to standard queries and providing timely guidance; processing and managing routine administrative and financial tasks; managing and maintaining records and databases; maintaining relationships with individuals to assist in information sharing and service delivery; proofreading reports and documentation; contributing to the improvement of business procedures and processes; collecting and performing basic analysis of data; providing guidance to junior colleagues; facilitating procurement processes; liaising with UNDSS focal points regarding security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security matters; and performing other assigned tasks as required.
Required Qualifications: The position requires the following qualifications: completion of secondary school education; a post-secondary certificate in a related functional area is desirable; working knowledge of English (proficiency/FAO level C) and at least intermediate knowledge of German (level B); five or more years of progressively responsible work experience in the relevant business stream, particularly in general administrative work. Essential skills include the ability to organize and maintain data, monitor financial transactions, knowledge of standard office software packages (e.g., Microsoft Word and Excel), good communication skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to maintain confidentiality while working effectively under pressure. Familiarity with procurement procedures is also essential.
Educational Background: The educational background required for this position includes the completion of secondary school education, with a preference for candidates who possess a post-secondary certificate in a related functional area. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the administrative and logistical tasks associated with the role and for effectively supporting the operations of the WFP Global Office in Berlin.
Experience: Candidates should have five or more years of progressively responsible work experience in the relevant business stream, with a strong emphasis on general administrative work. This experience should demonstrate the ability to handle a variety of tasks, manage data and financial transactions, and provide high-quality support to colleagues and stakeholders. Experience working in a UN or intergovernmental organization is desirable, as it provides valuable insights into the operational context of WFP.
Languages: The mandatory language requirements for this position include a working knowledge of English (proficiency/FAO level C) and at least intermediate knowledge of German (level B). Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication within the organization and with external partners. Additional language skills may be considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with a diverse range of stakeholders.
Additional Notes: This position is a local recruitment, meaning that applicants must be residents of Germany and possess a valid legal work permit at the time of application. Candidates must reside within reasonable commuting distance (up to 1.5 hours) of the WFP office in Berlin. The selected candidate will be required to work on-site during regular business hours. WFP will not cover relocation or living expenses, and preference will be given to candidates who already reside within commuting distance of Berlin. The compensation package is competitive and determined by the contract type and the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience, following the UN Salary Scale. All applications must be submitted in English, and only applications received in English will be considered. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of discrimination and harassment.
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