Administrative Assistant (Oil Palm Project)

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is implementing the EU-funded Oil Palm Value Chain Improvement Project (GCP/SIL/066/EC) in Sierra Leone, targeting increased productivity, improved processing, strengthened farmer organizations, and enhanced market access for approximately 43,000 farm families across multiple districts.

The project involves:

• Large-scale procurement and distribution (seedlings, equipment, vehicles);
• Multiple implementing partners (CSOs, research institutions, NGOs);
• Extensive field operations and trainings; and
• Strict compliance with FAO and EU donor requirements.
Given the scale and operational complexity, the project requires strong administrative support to ensure efficient implementation, compliance, documentation, and audit readiness.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the overall oversight of the FAO Representative (FAOR) and the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Administration) (AFAOR – Admin).

The incumbent will collaborate closely with:
• Project Coordinator (Agricultural Officer – Oil Palm Value Chain);
• Operations and Finance Units; and
• Project team and implementing partners.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will provide administrative, logistical, and documentation support to ensure:

• Smooth execution of project activities.
• Compliance with FAO and EU procedures.
• Proper documentation and audit readiness.
• Effective coordination across project components and partners.

Tasks and Responsibilities

Administrative Support

• Provide day-to-day administrative support to the project team;
• Establish and maintain structured filing systems (electronic and physical);
• Draft, format, and process correspondence, memos, and reports; and
• Ensure proper archiving of project documentation (contracts, reports, approvals).

Logistics and Event Coordination

• Support the organization of trainings and capacity-building sessions, farmer engagement activities, and stakeholder meetings and workshops.Coordinate travel arrangements (tickets, accommodation, DSA, transport);
• Prepare attendance sheets, mission documentation, and meeting minutes; and
• Ensure proper documentation and supporting evidence for all activities.

Financial and Administrative Transactions

• Assist in processing payments, advances, reimbursements, and field activity liquidations.Ensure completeness and accuracy of supporting documentation;
• Support budget tracking and expenditure monitoring; and
• Assist in reconciliation processes and follow-up of pending transactions.

Procurement Support

• Assist in preparation of purchase requests and procurement documentation;
• Follow up on procurement processes and delivery of goods/services;
• Maintain records of procurement actions and contracts; and
• Support verification of delivered goods and services.

Coordination and Communication
• Facilitate communication between FAO, implementing partners, and stakeholders;
• Track correspondence and ensure timely follow-up;
• Support coordination with district-level actors and field teams; and
• Assist in organizing coordination meetings and follow-up actions.

Monitoring, Reporting and Documentation

• Support preparation of administrative and operational inputs for reports;
• Maintain updated databases on trainings and participants, beneficiaries and distributions, and project activitiesTrack activities against the approved workplan; and
• Ensure all documentation is complete, accurate, and audit-ready.

Field Support
• Provide administrative and logistical support for field missions;
• Support coordination of field teams and implementing partners; and
• Ensure proper documentation of field activities (attendance, photos, reports).

Compliance and Risk Management

• Ensure all administrative processes comply with FAO and EU donor requirements;
• Support implementation of internal control measures;
• Maintain audit-ready documentation and records; and
• Assist in audit processes and responses to queries.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum requirement

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Management, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in administration, operations, or project support
• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C)'of English.
• National of Sierra Leone

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Strong administrative and organizational skills
• Knowledge of procurement and financial procedures
• Experience in logistics and event coordination
• Strong documentation and reporting skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, multi-stakeholder environment.

Selection Criteria

• Experience in donor-funded projects (EU-funded projects highly desirable)
• Experience with FAO or UN systems is an advantage.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.