National Project Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations, established to lead international efforts to defeat hunger. With 194 member states, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide, including South Africa. The organization aims to achieve the 2030 Agenda through its Strategic Framework, which supports the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems. FAO's mission includes assisting governments in developing policies, programs, and projects to achieve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, reduce hunger and malnutrition, and promote sustainable use of environmental and natural resources. FAO Country Offices, led by an FAO Representative, engage in designing and implementing country-specific field programs and liaising with local donors to promote FAO initiatives.

Job Overview:
The National Project Assistant will play a crucial role in supporting the FAO Country Office in South Africa, particularly in the project titled 'Building a Resilient Future: Strengthening Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response in South Africa through a One Health Approach.' This project, which runs from 2025 to 2027, aims to enhance national health systems' ability to respond to pandemics through improved surveillance, laboratory systems, and capacity building. The Project Assistant will ensure smooth operational processes, efficient documentation, and timely reporting in line with the project's objectives. The role requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including the Department of Health, Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, WHO, and UNICEF, to implement key activities focused on surveillance, laboratory systems, and capacity development.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Project Assistant will be responsible for a wide range of tasks, including supporting the design and implementation of training programs and capacity-building initiatives. They will develop and implement a comprehensive stakeholder communication plan, assist project staff in monitoring and evaluation, and ensure timely uploading of project reports onto the Financial and Project Management Information System (FPMIS). The role includes reviewing technical documents for compliance, organizing training workshops and meetings, providing logistical and administrative support, preparing meeting reports, maintaining project documents, and tracking follow-up activities related to project implementation. Additionally, the Project Assistant will assist with procurement processes and maintain an inventory of project supplies, ensuring that all records are accurate and up to date.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in agriculture and have a minimum of 3 years of working experience in the animal health discipline. A working knowledge (level C) of English is required, and candidates must be nationals of South Africa. The FAO core competencies include a focus on results, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, and knowledge sharing. Technical and functional skills required for this position include a very good knowledge of communication and documentation standards, corporate computerized financial systems, and administrative procedures and policies.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position is a university degree in agriculture. Candidates must have their qualifications recognized by an institution accredited in the World Higher Education Database (WHED).

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 3 years of working experience in the animal health discipline. Candidates should have experience in project management, particularly in the context of health systems and pandemic preparedness.

Languages:
A working knowledge (level C) of English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or processing. Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted. Candidates must be medically fit for appointment and meet any residency or visa requirements. The appointment is subject to security clearances. For additional employment opportunities, candidates can visit the FAO employment website.