Business Support Associate

Deadline for Applications: 14 September :59-GMT+05:00 Pakistan Standard Time (Karachi).

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.

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.

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Why Join WFP?

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
• WFP offers an 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).

About Job

Job Title: Business Support Associate (Senior Management Support)

Grade: G6

Type of contract: Fixed Term Contract

Duration: 12 months (with the possibility of extension)

Duty Station: Islamabad

Date of Publication: 1 September 2025

Deadline of Application: 15 September 2025

This vacancy announcement is for Pakistani Nationals.

Note: This vacancy announcement will also be used to build a roster of prequalified applicants for future opportunities within same job profile at the current or lower level in Pakistan.

Terms and Conditions

WFP offers a competitive benefits package including salary, pension, leave plus a medical insurance.

Important: All educational documents must be verified/attested by the Higher Education Commission (HEC). Appointment will be subject to submission of HEC-verified degrees.

Organizational Context

The United Nations 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. Present in Pakistan since 1968, the World Food Programme (WFP) works with the Government and partners to improve food security and nutrition among the most vulnerable communities across the country. In 2024, WFP reached 3.2 million people across Pakistan through livelihoods and resilience programmes, nutrition prevention and treatment, school meals and social protection programmes.

Job Purpose

Under the supervision of the Country Director, the Business Support Associate will coordinate and control a full range of business support services for the front office, to ensure that services are delivered effectively. The incumbent is expected to demonstrate responsibility and initiative to respond independently to queries with only general guidance. The incumbent has the responsibility for undertaking specialized business support work, such as organization and coordination of work. There is a requirement to use judgment in dealing with unforeseen problems on a daily basis, manage resources, and coach and/or coordinate more junior support staff.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide dedicated executive assistant support.
• 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 clients.
• Oversee the maintenance of records and databases to ensure information is organized 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 managers 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.
• 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.
• Any other duties in line with the position level and expertise.

Other Specific Post Requirements

Executive & Strategic Support

• Providing direct support to senior leadership (Country Director, Deputy Country Directors).
• Drafting, reviewing, and managing official correspondence, reports, and briefings.
• Preparing talking points, presentations, and background notes for high-level meetings.
• Supporting decision-making through research, data analysis, and preparation of policy/strategy papers.

Administration & Operations

• Managing the Director's office workflow, including scheduling, prioritization, and follow-up on key actions.
• Ensuring effective coordination between departments/units and the Country Director's office.
• Supporting budget monitoring, procurement requests, and financial oversight.
• Ensuring compliance with organizational policies and procedures.

Coordination & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serving as liaison between the Country Director and internal/external stakeholders.
• Organizing and supporting high-level missions, events, and donor/partner engagements.
• Maintaining relationships with government officials, donors, UN agencies, and NGOs.

Standard Minimum Qualifications and Experience

Education: First university degree in Business Administration/Management, Public Administration, International Relations, Marketing or other relevant field of studies is an advantage. Completion of secondary school education, and a post-secondary certificate in Business Administration/Management, Public Administration, International Relations, Marketing or other relevant field of studies is required.

Experience: Six or more years of progressively responsible work experience in providing direct support to senior leadership team (CEOs, Managing Directors, Country Representatives, Mission Directors, etc).

Knowledge & Skills:

• Specialized knowledge of the application of common business processes, practical business support methods, procedures and systems gained through technical training and work experience.
• Good communication skills in order to provide specialized business support services to a wide range of stakeholders.
• Ability to handle situations with diplomacy, tact, and cultural sensitivity.
• Ability to proactively identify and recommend areas for improvement to the design and delivery of specialized services.
• Ability to build relationships with a variety of individuals across functions, including external partners.
• Experience in coordinating the work of others and self and training and supporting others.
• Ability to maintain high level of integrity and confidentiality.

Language: Fluency in both oral and written communication in English and Urdu.

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 committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact:

No Fee Disclaimer

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing 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 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.

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