Office Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO has over 194 member countries and works in more than 130 countries worldwide. The organization aims to achieve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. FAO's mission is to help eliminate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition, and to promote sustainable agriculture and rural development.

Job Overview:
The Office Assistant position is integral to the smooth operation of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFI) at FAO headquarters in Rome. This role involves performing a variety of routine administrative tasks and providing office support functions that contribute to the efficient running of the work unit. The Office Assistant will be responsible for managing correspondence, organizing meetings, and maintaining office files, among other duties. The position requires a proactive approach to problem-solving and the ability to work independently on routine matters while consulting with supervisors on more complex issues. The Office Assistant will also interact with colleagues across the organization, facilitating communication and collaboration within the team.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Office Assistant will be tasked with a comprehensive set of duties including but not limited to: typing, formatting, and drafting routine correspondence; collating tables, reports, presentations, and publications; receiving and directing telephone calls and visitors; responding to routine inquiries; entering and updating information in various databases; maintaining office files and reference systems; initiating and tracking administrative transactions in financial, travel, and human resources systems; supporting the organization of meetings, workshops, and events; arranging travel logistics; ensuring the availability of office supplies; and performing other duties as required. The role is designed to support the overall administrative functions of the office and contribute to the team's success.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a secondary school education and have at least two years of relevant experience in office support work. A working knowledge of English at proficiency level C is mandatory. Additionally, candidates should have knowledge of MS Office applications, internet usage, and office technology equipment. The role requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple tasks effectively.

Educational Background:
The minimum educational requirement for this position is a secondary school education. This foundational education is essential for understanding and executing the administrative tasks required in the role of Office Assistant.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of two years of relevant experience in office support work. This experience should include familiarity with administrative procedures, office management, and the use of office technology. Experience in a similar role within an international organization or a governmental agency is highly desirable.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English at proficiency level C is mandatory for this position. Additionally, having intermediate proficiency (level B) in another official language of the Organization, such as Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish, is considered a desirable qualification that can enhance a candidate's application.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as General Service Staff, 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 involves a variety of administrative tasks that support the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division's objectives. The Office Assistant will be expected to demonstrate competencies such as results focus, teamwork, communication, and building effective relationships, as well as technical skills related to communication and documentation standards.