Administrative Assistant

Organizational Setting

As part of FAO’s effort to strengthen One Health workforce at community level, NSAH-CJW is implementing the project “Empowering veterinary paraprofessional entrepreneurs”, in Uganda, Nigeria and South Africa. This project builds on a first phase of implementation between 2021-2023 and aims to deliver and evaluate a model for sustainable last mile animal health service delivery through capacity development of private sector veterinary paraprofessionals (VPPs), and by addressing bottlenecks within the business environment. Gender-sensitive programming is an essential part of the project. Women make up 60% of poor smallholder livestock farmers and are therefore a key target group for last mile animal health services.

The project is centred around four complementary outcomes:

• Outcome 1: Strengthened veterinary paraprofessional businesses providing gender responsive preventive healthcare services

• Outcome 2: Increased pool of continuous professional development compliant and registered veterinary paraprofessionals

• Outcome 3: Improved business climate for veterinary paraprofessionals

• Outcome 4: Increased awareness of private sector primary animal healthcare veterinary paraprofessional business model for improved access to animal health services

In South Africa, the project will train 60 currently unemployed animal health technicians (AHTs) with the aim of empowering and supporting them to establish their own small businesses serving rural livestock farming communities by providing primary animal healthcare services, focussing on preventive interventions. This will be the second cohort of AHTs to be trained in South Africa by the project. The rules governing the work of AHTs in South Africa were changed in December 2022, allowing them to operate private primary animal health care facilities for the first time.

The training follows a blended learning model, providing a mix of online learning, face to face workshops, work placements, mentorship, coaching and guided assignments. The face-to-face workshops will be delivered by partner training institutes and these institutes will work collaboratively with FAO to develop the planning and materials for each workshop.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the Assistant FAOR and the direct supervision of the VPP Project Country Coordinator and Assistant Coordinator.

Technical Focus

Assist in providing administrative support during implementation of the project activities and liaising with AHT trainees, mentors, and workshop attendees.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Provide administrative support to ensure timely implementation of project activities.

• Handle travel arrangements for all in country missions and support processing of travel claims.

• Proofread documents, prepare draft letters (notice of selection, invitations etc.) in accordance with FAO guidelines.

• Assist in all activities related to the preparation and organization of meetings & workshops, supporting all logistical aspects.

• Support the liaison with AHTs, mentors and workshop attendees with respect to travel and data re-imbursements.

• Maintain effective delivery follow-ups control tracking the delivery of goods and services.

• Support preparation of Casual Labour contracts for reimbursement of AHTs during work placements.

• Track completion of work placements.

• Assist in monitoring budget and project expenses.

• Support updating of project archives in the SharePoint.

• Support the project team in resolution of administrative matters.

• Undertake other related duties and duty missions when required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in administration or equivalent.

• At least one year of relevant experience assisting project implementation and administration.

• Working knowledge of English (Level C) and limited knowledge of a second national language.

• National of South Africa or resident of the country with valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus

• Teamwork

• Communication

• Building Effective Relationships

• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Good knowledge of FAO or united national operations procedures is desirable.

• Competent in using Microsoft Office, Excel, formatting in Word

• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

Apply now

Added 18 days ago - Updated 7 hours ago - Source: fao.org