National Professional Officer (Client Support)

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 more than 12,000 employees. FAO's work is guided by the principles of sustainability, inclusivity, and resilience, aiming to transform agrifood systems to be more efficient and environmentally friendly. The Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) plays a crucial role in addressing regional priorities related to food security, agriculture, and rural development, ensuring that the organization's strategic objectives align with local needs and challenges.

Job Overview:
The National Professional Officer (Client Support) position is situated within the Shared Services Centre (SSC) Contact Centre of the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok, Thailand. This role is pivotal in providing administrative support across various functions including human resources, finance, and travel management. The officer will work under the guidance of the director-general" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Assistant Director-General/Regional Representative and report directly to the Client Support Officer in Budapest. The primary focus of this position is to ensure effective and efficient service delivery, oversee the SSC team, and monitor performance against established Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). The officer will also be responsible for fostering strong client partnerships and ensuring that service standards are met while addressing any operational challenges that may arise.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the National Professional Officer (Client Support) include supervising daily operations of the SSC, ensuring equitable work distribution among team members, and monitoring performance against KPIs. The officer will be responsible for quality assurance of services provided, addressing complex transactional issues, and serving as an escalation point for client inquiries. Additionally, the officer will coordinate the implementation and maintenance of Service Level Agreements (SLAs), conduct periodic performance reviews, and analyze requests for changes to services. The role also involves supervising staff, assessing training needs, and providing guidance and coaching. Furthermore, the officer will advise managers on resolving potential issues related to HR, travel, and other SSC services.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must be nationals of Thailand and possess an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in human resources, business administration, industrial psychology, or a related field. A minimum of one year of relevant professional experience in human resources management, administration, finance, or travel management within an international organization is required. Proficiency in English and the local language (Thai) is mandatory. Candidates should demonstrate competencies in results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement. Technical and functional skills in administration, human resources, and finance management are essential, along with experience in supervising teams and knowledge of UN operational rules and procedures.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in fields such as human resources, business administration, industrial psychology, or a closely related discipline. This educational foundation is crucial for understanding the complexities of human resources and administrative functions within an international context.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have at least one year of relevant professional experience in areas such as human resources management, administration, finance, or travel management, particularly within an international organization. Experience in supervising teams and working in multiple locations or areas of work, especially in field positions, is highly desirable. Familiarity with UN operational rules and procedures, as well as project and programme administrative management, is considered an asset.

Languages:
Candidates must have a working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and the local language (Thai). Additionally, intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO official language such as Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate effectively in a multilingual environment.

Additional Notes:
The position is a full-time role based in Bangkok, Thailand, and is open to nationals of Thailand only. The job entails a significant level of responsibility and requires a commitment to the FAO's mission of achieving food security and sustainable agricultural practices. The organization offers a dynamic work environment with opportunities for professional development and capacity building.