Office Assistant

Organizational Setting

The Health Services (CSLH) provides preventative medical, counselling and occupational health services to FAO employees and their dependents and advice on all health-related matters to the Organization. Within the Health Services, the counselling unit provides services to promote the psychological health and well-being of employees and contributes to a healthy work environment, at FAO headquarters and in the field offices worldwide.

The position is located in CSLH within the Logistics Services Division (CSL) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Main Purpose

The Office Assistant performs a variety of routine administrative transactions and office support functions contributing to the smooth and efficient running of the work unit.

Supervision Received/Exercised

The Office Assistant reports to and receives guidance from a higher graded Office Assistant. He/she acts independently on routine matters and consults with his/her supervisor(s) on new and/or more complex issues and procedures. Supervision received provides for technical and procedural guidance and on-the-job learning.

Working Relationships

The Office Assistant interacts with a variety of colleagues from within the work unit. Interactions relate to the exchange of routine information and the provision of standard office support services.

Key Functions/Results

• Type, format and draft routine correspondence; collate tables, reports, presentations, publications and other documentation. • Receive, screen and direct telephone calls and visitors; respond to routine internal and external enquiries and/or refer to appropriate contacts/units. • Enter, retrieve, structure and update selected information and data from various sources (e.g. Intra-/Internet, office files, etc.); present results in standard format. • Set up and maintain office files and reference systems according to standard procedures. • Initiate, view and track a variety of administrative transactions in the computerized financial/travel/human resources systems. • Support the organization and administration of meetings, workshops and events (e.g. arranging for meeting rooms and other facilities). • Assist with arranging travel: organize transport, logistics, accommodation, documents. • Ensure availability of office supplies and appropriate maintenance of office equipment. • Perform other duties as required.

Impact of Work

The Office Assistant participates as part of a team in the provision of administrative and office support services. Actions reflect on the immediate and wider work unit.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

Education: Secondary School Education. Experience: Two years of relevant experience in office support work. Languages: Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish). IT Skills: Knowledge of the MS Office applications, Internet and office technology equipment.

Residency: General Service Staff are recruited locally. To be eligible for this position, candidates must be nationals of the country of the duty station or possess an existing visa/work permit, and reside within commuting distance of the duty station at the time of the application. "Commuting distance" means the distance within which staff members can travel daily between their place of work and their residence.

Competencies

• Results Focus • Teamwork • Communication • Building Effective Relationships • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical Skills

• Good knowledge of the communication and documentation standards. • Good knowledge of corporate computerized financial/travel/human resources systems and administrative procedures and policies.

Desirable Qualifications and Skills

• Previous experience in office administration in the United Nations Common System. • Experience in customer support. • Familiarity with handling office management functions and sensitive/confidential information.