Business Support Assistant G4

Job Posting Organization:
The School Meals Accelerator is a newly established initiative under the School Meals Coalition, hosted by the World Food Programme (WFP). Its mission is to support governments in scaling and strengthening their national school meal programs, aiming to unlock the full potential of these programs by improving design, increasing investment, and fostering collaboration across various sectors such as education, health, and food systems. The Accelerator operates with a systems-thinking approach, adapting to the priorities of different countries and working collaboratively with global, regional, and local actors. Its ambition is to reach an additional 100 million children in low- and lower-middle-income countries by 2030, making school meals a cornerstone of human capital development. The Accelerator functions as a network facilitator, which means it operates in complex environments and seeks to support system-level change rather than delivering predefined solutions. This requires leaders who can work productively with uncertainty and maintain accountability for results, making it a unique development enterprise focused on driving lasting, country-led change.

Job Overview:
The Business Support Assistant G4 position is crucial for the smooth operation of the School Meals Accelerator, based at the WFP Headquarters in Rome, Italy. This role involves providing routine operational and administrative support to the Accelerator team, which is essential for the effective implementation of the Accelerator's activities. The Assistant will be responsible for front office operations, logistics, data management, and various administrative processes, ensuring that all tasks are completed accurately and on time, in compliance with established procedures. By delivering organized and reliable support, the Assistant will enable colleagues to focus on their core responsibilities and contribute to the overall efficiency of the team. This position is open to both internal and external candidates, and applications must be submitted in English.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The key responsibilities of the Business Support Assistant include gathering information to support the drafting of documents and preparing reports, responding to queries and escalating issues as necessary to provide timely and accurate service to clients, and managing routine administrative and financial tasks across various functional areas. The Assistant will also be responsible for revising and proofreading standard documents to ensure accuracy, maintaining standard systems and files for easy access to information, identifying discrepancies in data, and ensuring data integrity in corporate systems. Additionally, the Assistant will work collaboratively with a variety of individuals, taking feedback to enhance business support delivery for staff.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must have completed secondary school education and possess four or more years of progressively responsible work experience in a relevant business stream, particularly in general administrative work. Essential requirements include experience in providing front office and general administrative support, including calendar management and meeting coordination, as well as knowledge of travel and procurement processes. Candidates should also have experience in asset management or office supply tracking, and be proficient in using office software and corporate systems for data entry and document management. Strong organizational and communication skills are necessary, along with a client-oriented approach and the ability to manage multiple tasks effectively.

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

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of four years of progressively responsible work experience in a relevant business stream, with a focus on general administrative tasks. Candidates should have a proven track record of providing front office support and managing administrative functions effectively.

Languages:
Fluency in English (level C) is mandatory for this position. While not explicitly stated, proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly in a multicultural environment.

Additional Notes:
This is a local recruitment for a General Service Staff position, meaning applicants must be Italian citizens or non-Italian citizens with a valid legal permit to live and work in Italy. Candidates must reside within commuting distance of the duty station in Rome or be willing to relocate at their own expense. The WFP will not cover relocation or living expenses. The position offers a competitive compensation package based on the contract type and the selected candidate's qualifications and experience. Internal candidates will retain their existing WFP contracts with amendments reflecting their new duties, while external candidates will receive a Fixed-Term contract specific to the duration of the assignment. The School Meals Accelerator is committed to an inclusive recruitment process and does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.