Business Support Associate SC 6 (Jamaica)

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: https://www.wfp.org and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.

WHY JOIN WFP? 

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.

• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.

• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.

• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT:

In 2018, WFP re-established its presence in the Caribbean with an office in Barbados. The WFP Caribbean Multi-Country Office (MCO) supports 22 countries and territories across the English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean. WFP Caribbean’s capacity strengthening programme focuses on vulnerability analysis and mapping; end-to-end supply chain management; shock-responsive social protection; school-based programming; food systems strengthening; and climate risk financing. In times of crisis, WFP works with partners to provide direct assistance when events surpass national and regional capacities by delivering food, cash or voucher assistance, or through emergency logistics or emergency telecommunications service provision.

At this level job holders are expected to demonstrate responsibility and initiative to respond independently to queries with only general guidance. They have responsibility for undertaking specialised business support work, such as organisation and coordination of work. There is a requirement to use judgment in dealing with unforeseen problems on a daily basis. Job holders are expected to manage resources, and coach and/or coordinate a team of support staff.

JOB PURPOSE:

To coordinate and control a full range of business support services for the Jamaica Satellite Office, to ensure that services are delivered effectively. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (not all-inclusive, nor exhaustive):

• Monitor and process actions related to travel, procurement, finance, administration, and other relevant areas, ensuring data is accurately and timely recorded and processed in corporate systems.
• Prepare and/or consolidate comprehensive reports, documentation, correspondence, briefing notes, etc. and conduct research in the area of work.
• Actively seek and use feedback to improve business processes and procedures. Respond to complex business support queries in order to provide a timely and accurate resolution of enquiries for internal and external stakeholders.
• Oversee the maintenance of records and databases to ensure information is organised and readily available for staff and compliant with all relevant regulations and policies.
• Revise and review correspondence and documentation, providing feedback and making amendments where appropriate, to contribute to production of these materials to time and quality standards.
• Assist manager(s) in planning, monitoring and reconciling budget(s) to ensure that planned financial resources are used effectively.
• Assess and recommend improvements to procedures and practices, to contribute to the effective delivery of business support services.
• Provide a full range of complex business support services to staff to contribute to the effective functioning of business operations in the Jamaica satellite Office.  
• Provide advice, support and/or training to junior support staff in the provision of business support services, in order to support their learning in providing business support.
• Coordinate tasks of junior colleagues to ensure support services are delivered consistently and to the required standards.
• Contribute to emergency preparedness and response by allocating resources, offering analytics, and providing services.

OTHER POST REQUIREMENTS (details to be determined by Post Managers):

WFP provides emergency response support to the 22 English and Dutch-speaking countries in the Caribbean as needed. In this role, the incumbent may be required to:

• Support the Unit's emergency response activities.

• Deploy to affected countries to assist with Unit operations as required.

• Work beyond regular working hours to support emergency response efforts.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Education:

Completion of secondary school education. A post-secondary certificate in the related functional area is required. A bachelor’s degree in business administration or related field would be an asset.

Experience:

Six or more years of progressively responsible work experience in the relative Business Administration or Finance with experience in general administrative work.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Specialised knowledge of the application of common business processes, practical business support methods, procedures and systems used in administration and/or finance, gained through technical training and work experience.

• Good communication skills in order to provide specialised business support services to a wide range of individuals.

• Ability to analyse and interpret financial data and monitor budgets.

• Ability to proactively identify and recommend areas for improvement to the design and delivery of specialised services. 

• Ability to build relationships with a variety of individuals across functions.

• Experience in coordinating the work of others and self and training and supporting others.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Language:

Fluency in both oral and written communication in the English language.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Who Can Apply?

• This position is open to nationals of Jamaica and CARICOM member states and associate members. CARICOM Nationals applying for National position outside of their home country bear sole responsibility for required actions or expenses related to relocation, accommodation, repatriation and any other living expenses,etc. A CARICOM Skilled National Certificate is a pre-requisite of employment for successful candidates who are not from the country for which the position is advertised.

Employment Particulars

• Type of position: Short Term, Full Time
• Type of Contact: Service Contract Level 6 (SC 6)
• Duration on Contract: 12 months. This contract is eligible for extension. Extension of contracts will be based on satisfactory performance and operational requirements.
• Duty Station: Kingston, Jamaica
• Travel Requirements: The WFP Caribbean Office cover the 22 English and Dutch speaking Caribbean countries. The selected candidate may be required to travel from time to time, both regionally and internationally, to support missions, emergency responses, training etc. As such full medical clearance will be required.

Benefits and Entitlements

• Competitive Salary
• Up to 30 Days of Annual Leave
• Pension Contribution
• Learning and Development Opportunities
• Health, Life and Disability Insurance
• Sick Leave and Compassionate Leave
• Parental Leave (birth and non-birth parents)
• Remuneration: The salary for this position starts at JMD $264,169.57 per month.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our recruitment process is inclusively crafted to welcome candidates of all backgrounds, celebrating diversity and ensuring a respectful environment for all. We aim for an accessible and fair recruitment journey. Should you need any reasonable accommodations or have accessibility concerns, please reach out to us confidentially at global.inclusion@wfp.org. Our DEI team is here to ensure your full participation in our recruitment process.

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).

• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.

• Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language

• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter

• Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time

• Please contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org in case you face any challenges with submitting your application

• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.