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FAO CHN·Apr 20, 2026

Assistant to the FAO Representative (FAOR)

Under the overall supervision of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Representative, and working in close collaboration/coordination with the Programme and Administration Units of the FAO Office in China, the Uni...

On-siteInternationalAssociate UCoS from Apr20262. Zero hunger
On-site

China

Beijing

Duration

365 days

Extendable

Positions

1 Available

Deadline

May 10, 2026

15 days ago

🎯

Sustainable Development Goal

2. Zero hunger

General Information

Description of assignment title

Assistant to the FAO Representative (FAOR)

Assignment country

China

Expected start date

Jun 20, 2026

Sustainable Development Goal

2. Zero hunger

Volunteer category

Associate UCoS from Apr2026

Host entity

FAO CHN

Type

onsite

Duration

365 days
(with possibility of extension)

Number of assignments

1

Duty stations

Beijing

Assignment Details

Mission and Objectives

FAO is recognized as the lead UN technical organization in the fight to eradicate hunger, eliminate rural poverty, and in the promotion of sustainable agriculture, fisheries and livestock development while promoting sustainable management of the environment and natural resources for the benefit of communities and rural people in need.

Context

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

Task Description

Under the overall supervision of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Representative, and working in close collaboration/coordination with the Programme and Administration Units of the FAO Office in China, the United Nations Volunteer (UN Volunteer) will undertake the following tasks: - Assist in analysing, managing, and monitoring a large and diversified volume of complex correspondence and documentation, often of a confidential and sensitive nature; ensure appropriate routing, reply, prioritization, accuracy, consistency, and timeliness; bring complex, sensitive, or priority issues to the supervisor's attention. - Provide information to staff, ensuring understanding of the FAO Representative’s intent and deadlines. - Support the arrangement of appointments and duty travels, maintain the supervisor's calendar, and receive visitors. - Participate in organizing meetings, finalize agendas and invitations, ensure the production and distribution of documentation, take notes and prepare minutes, and follow up on required actions. - Prepare Travel Authorization/Travel Expense Claims (TA/TEC), and support hotel accommodations/flight bookings for the FAO Representative’s missions. - Maintain the FAO Representative’s filing of documents and correspondence in accordance with FAO procedures. - Contribute to establishing internal procedures and tracking systems for correspondence and documents; verify that work is done in accordance with corporate standards; monitor work progress. - Follow up on the preparation of reports, correspondence, briefing notes, and other documents; review documents and make changes to their format or style in accordance with standard practices; conduct research and prepare briefing materials for the supervisor. - Support evaluation of ongoing support requirements of the office, adapt service provision to meet changing needs, and solve operational problems as required. - Ensure the initiation of a variety of transactions in the organization's computerized administrative systems. - Perform any other duties as may be assigned within the area of work or competence. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: - Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and taking active part in UNV activities (for instance, in events that mark International Volunteer Day); - Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; - Provide annual and end-of-assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results, and opportunities. - Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; - Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; - Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Eligibility Criteria

Age

18 - 80

Required experience

1 years

Nationality

Open to all nationalities

Assignment Requirements

Relevant experience

1 year

Language Requirements
EnglishRequired
Working knowledge
ChinesePreferred
Basic
Required education level

Bachelor's degree

Area(s) of expertise

Administration, Business management

Driving license

-

Competencies and values
• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to FAO; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to FAO procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and FAO in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in the area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in the work environment. • Planning and organizing: effective organisational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards FAO’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.
Skills and experience
Demonstrated interest and/or experience in working with FAO: - Demonstrated interest and/or experience in working with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). - Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture (i.e., studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded; - Knowledge of Chinese will be regarded as a strong asset.

Additional Information

Living conditions and remarks
The duty station of the national UN Volunteer is located in Beijing city, where modest public infrastructure and health services are available. It is the foremost political and cultural metropolis in China. The city has excellent health services available. In general, rent for apartments in central locations is high relative to other regions in China, but quality is good. Beijing is well served by many shopping malls, large supermarket chains and international brands. Buses and subways are the most common form of mass transportation. Metered taxis are widely available and domestic and regional travel by train and airplane is popular.
Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity without distinction.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to vaccination requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19), in line with the applicable host entity policy.

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