Facilities Management Associate (Catering)

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is an agency that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security. Established in 1945, FAO has a mission to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. The organization operates in over 130 countries and has a workforce of approximately 12,000 employees. FAO's work is guided by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which aims to transform agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. The organization is committed to environmental sustainability, which is integral to its strategic objectives and operations. The Infrastructure Services (CSLI) within the Logistics Services Division (CSL) is responsible for maintaining the headquarters premises and providing services to FAO employees, assisting decentralized offices in facilities maintenance, technical projects, and infrastructure activities, while also coordinating special safety projects funded by the Government of Italy.

Job Overview:
The Facilities Management Associate (Catering) plays a crucial role in leading and coordinating the catering functions of the FAO. This position is essential for ensuring the smooth flow of office work and information related to catering services. The incumbent is expected to have in-depth knowledge of catering procedures and practices, providing procedural guidance to managers and staff. The role requires a high degree of initiative and independent judgment, as the Facilities Management Associate will work autonomously while also supervising other office support staff. The position involves maintaining effective working relationships with a wide range of contacts, both within and outside the organization, which necessitates excellent communication skills and the ability to handle issues at a high organizational level.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Facilities Management Associate (Catering) is responsible for a variety of key functions, including: providing operational and administrative support for the management of institutional catering contracts, ensuring compliance with FAO policies and contract terms; coordinating procurement-related activities for catering services, including preparation of technical specifications, cost estimates, and tender documents; participating in the technical evaluation of bids and assisting in drafting selection reports; monitoring contract implementation and performance indicators; conducting inspections of food and beverage services to ensure adherence to hygiene and quality standards; coordinating logistical arrangements for internal events; serving as the focal point for both clients and CSLI staff in organizing meetings and events; reviewing and verifying contractor staffing levels and training plans; maintaining updated databases on contracts and supplier performance; supporting the cost recovery process for catering services; ensuring timely updates of the catering intranet site; supporting corporate initiatives to reduce emissions and increase efficiency; training and guiding support staff; and performing other duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a secondary school education and have a minimum of five years of relevant experience in management and office support work. This experience should include at least two years in organizing and coordinating high-level catering services, contract administration, and event logistics, preferably in a large setting or international organization. Candidates should also demonstrate proficiency in IT skills, particularly with MS Office applications and office technology.

Educational Background:
The minimum educational requirement for this position is a secondary school education. This foundational education is essential for understanding the administrative and operational aspects of the role.

Experience:
Candidates are required to have a minimum of five years of relevant experience in management and office support work. This experience should include at least two years specifically focused on organizing and coordinating high-level catering services, contract administration, and event logistics, ideally within a large organization or an international context. This level of experience is crucial for effectively managing the complexities of catering operations and ensuring compliance with organizational standards.

Languages:
The position requires a working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another official FAO language, which could be Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish. Additionally, familiarity with the Italian language (working knowledge - level C) is considered a desirable qualification, enhancing communication with local service providers and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified under the General Service Staff category, which means that candidates must be nationals of Italy or possess an existing visa/work permit and reside within commuting distance of the duty station at the time of application. The role is full-time, and candidates will be assessed against the minimum requirements outlined in the job description. The competencies required for this position include a focus on results, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, and knowledge sharing. Technical skills such as thorough knowledge of corporate computerized financial, travel, and human resources systems are also essential.