Business Support Assistant - SC 2

Job Posting Organization:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, dedicated to saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. Established in 1961, WFP operates in over 80 countries, employing thousands of staff members who work tirelessly to ensure effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people globally. WFP is committed to diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply. The organization has received numerous accolades, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, highlighting its significant contributions to global humanitarian efforts.

Job Overview:
The Business Support Assistant position at WFP Sri Lanka’s Country Office is crucial for providing administrative and operational support to program teams, specifically in relation to the US Global Grant implementation. The role involves ensuring the smooth execution of cash-transfer components, logistics, and coordination activities. The incumbent will be responsible for maintaining accurate beneficiary records, processing cash transfers in a timely manner, and documenting program activities effectively. This position requires a high level of organization and attention to detail, as well as the ability to work under close supervision while producing organized and accurate work. The role is integral to achieving WFP Sri Lanka’s Country Strategic Plan outcomes, particularly in enhancing resilience, emergency preparedness, and institutional capacity.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Programme Documentation & Reporting: Collect, sort, and disseminate correspondence, reports, and program materials related to Food Assistance for Assets (FFA), Anticipatory Action (AA), logistics, and Humanitarian Data Assessment & Coordination (HDAC). Maintain organized filing systems for program records, ensuring accessibility and compliance. Contribute to the documentation of lessons learned and program exit strategies.
• Data Entry & Monitoring Support: Undertake routine data entry tasks for beneficiary information, cash transfer tracking, and monitoring results. Assist in compiling program statistics and indicators for reporting to donors and government counterparts. Provide administrative support to field monitoring missions, including preparation of checklists and data entry from oversight visits.
• Coordination & Communication: Liaise with field staff and implementing partners to facilitate smooth program operations. Respond to routine queries from cooperating partners, escalating complex issues to appropriate program staff or support units. Provide administrative support to coordination forums such as the Cash Working Group, Logistics Working Group, and AA Technical Working Group. Support other Support Units with organizing workshops, training sessions, and coordination meetings.
• Supply Chain / NFI Procurement Support: Support Supply Chain on coordination mechanisms to ensure timely pre-positioning of Non-Food Items (NFIs). Track delivery schedules and maintain documentation of NFI distribution. Ensure filing and compliance with procurement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Protection and Accountability Integration: Provide administrative support to the Gender & Protection officer when organizing events related to protection and Social Behavioral Change (SBC). Ensure beneficiary queries and feedback are handled with sensitivity and confidentiality. Other specific job requirements include familiarity with cash-transfer programs and digital beneficiary management systems, a basic understanding of procurement and logistics processes for NFIs, and a willingness to undertake field missions to support program monitoring and beneficiary engagement.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires completion of secondary school education as a minimum qualification. Candidates should possess two or more years of experience in administrative or program support roles, preferably within humanitarian or development contexts. Experience with cash-transfer programs or logistics support is considered an asset. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and standard office equipment is essential, along with the ability to follow standard business support processes and procedures. Strong attention to detail and organizational skills are necessary, as well as knowledge of digital beneficiary management systems such as SCOPE, Kobo, or ODK, which is desirable.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have completed secondary school education. This educational background is essential for understanding the administrative and operational tasks required in the role, as well as for effective communication and documentation within the organization.

Experience:
The role requires candidates to have at least two years of experience in administrative or program support roles. This experience should ideally be in humanitarian or development contexts, with a preference for candidates who have worked with cash-transfer programs or in logistics support. The experience level is designed to ensure that the candidate can handle the responsibilities of the position effectively and contribute to the organization's goals.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written communication in English is mandatory. Additionally, proficiency in either Sinhala or Tamil is required, as these languages are essential for effective communication within the local context and with beneficiaries.

Additional Notes:
The position is offered as a Service Contract, and it is based in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Only Sri Lankan nationals are eligible to apply for this position. The deadline for applications is set for 14 September 2026, at 23:59 GMT+05:3

• WFP is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. The organization does not charge any fees for applications or recruitment processes, and all applications must be submitted through the online recruiting system. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks to ensure a safe and inclusive work environment.