Business Support Assistant (Partnership Assistant), SC5

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetime.  

WFP is a leading organization delivering food assistance and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. We also support governments of developing countries in their efforts to eliminate hunger and malnutrition by addressing the underlying causes and disparities in access to food and good nutrition to ensure that no one is left behind in line with the Agenda 2030, Sustaining Peace and Agenda for Humanity. WFP is particularly focused on Goals 2 (Zero Hunger) and 17 (Partnerships). Achieving Zero Hunger, however, requires organizations/governments to design, finance and implement inclusive policies, plans and programmes that promote food security and nutrition objectives and have responsive institutions and strong governance that can withstand shocks and stress factors. 

Since the restoration of its independence in 2002, Timor-Leste has demonstrated significant progress and strong commitment towards reconciliation, reconstruction, human rights, human development, democracy, and state building. As a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), Timor-Leste faces exacerbated food security challenges due to the impacts of climate change. More than two decades on, Timor-Leste stands at a crossroads, investing in people and continuing to accelerate its human and socioeconomic development.

WFP has been present in Timor-Leste since 1999. Under the newly approved CSP 2026–2030, WFP in Timor-Leste will focus on three outcomes: improving nutrition and reducing stunting, strengthening inclusive and shock-responsive social protection systems, and enhancing resilience to climate change and disaster risks. These priorities build on national efforts by supporting food and nutrition, advancing social sector policies, and reinforcing emergency preparedness and response capacities. Through strong partnerships with government, UN agencies, civil society, private sector and donors, WFP aims to accelerate human and socioeconomic development while safeguarding progress against future shocks.

Under the direct supervision of the Partnership Officer, and the overall supervision of the Country Director, the Partnership Assistant provides operational and administrative support to ensure smooth delivery of partnership activities.

·       Provide operational backbone to the partnership function, enabling the Partnership Officer to focus on strategic engagement, advocacy, and relationship management.

·       Assist the Partnership Officer in monitoring partnership commitments and tracking progress on joint initiatives.

·       Provide day-to-day administrative and logistical support for partnership activities, including event coordination and stakeholder engagement.

·       Maintain electronic and manual records of agreements, partnership files, contact lists, and partnership correspondence.

·       Support the preparation of briefing notes, translate documents, and facilitate communication between national and municipal stakeholders.

·       Support the Partnership Officer in coordinating joint initiatives and following up on partnership commitments.

·       Contribute to integrated Country Office operations by extending support to other units when required.

·       Ensure timely information flow to strengthen collaboration with government, UN agencies, NGOs, private sector and donors.

• Minimum 5 years relevant work experiences
• Has assisted with the preparation of complex partnership activities, correspondences and documents.
• Experience in administrative or programme support roles, preferably within government institutions, international organizations or NGOs.
• Experience and proven ability to organize meetings, events, workshops, or field visits involving multiple stakeholders.
• Familiarity with partnership management, donor relations, or stakeholder coordination.
• Experience in maintaining records, databases, or archives with attention to detail.
• Exposure to working in multicultural and multidisciplinary teams.

• Strong organizational and coordination skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and digital collaboration tools.
• Ability to draft clear briefing notes, translate documents, and prepare concise reports.
• Detail-oriented record-keeping and data management skills.
• Flexibility and adaptability to support integrated operations across units.
• Team player with problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to supporting partnership activities.

Completion of secondary school education. A post-secondary certificate or university degree in management, international relations, social sciences, development studies, public administration, or a related functional area is desirable.

Fluency (level C) in English language and Tetum. Knowledge of Portuguese is considered an asset.

• Leads by Example with Integrity
• Drives Results and Delivers on Commitments
• Fosters Inclusive and Collaborative
• Apply Strategic Thinking
• Builds and Maintains Sustainable Partnerships