Business Support Assistant

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

14 September 2026-23:59-GMT+05:30 India Standard Time (Colombo)

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).

ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT:

These jobs are part of WFP Sri Lanka’s Country Office. Job holders provide administrative and operational support to programme teams and report to the Project Coordinator. At this level, work is carried out under close supervision, and job holders are expected to produce organized and accurate work. The role contributes directly to the US Global Grant implementation, supporting all four components:

• Food Assistance for Assets (FFA)
• Anticipatory Action (AA)
• Logistics / NFIs
• Humanitarian Data Assessment & Coordination (HDAC)

JOB PURPOSE ​:

To deliver efficient administrative, data management, and coordination support for the US Global Grant, ensuring smooth implementation of cash-transfer components (FFA and AA), logistics/NFI procurement and pre-positioning, and coordination activities. The incumbent will ensure accurate beneficiary records, timely processing of cash transfers, effective documentation of programme activities, and support to procurement and logistics processes, contributing to WFP Sri Lanka’s Country Strategic Plan outcomes on resilience, emergency preparedness, and institutional capacity.

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

1.Programme Documentation & Reporting

• Collect, sort, and disseminate correspondence, reports, and programme materials related to FFA, AA, logistics, and HDAC.
• Maintain organized filing systems for programme records, ensuring accessibility and compliance.
• Contribute to documentation of lessons learned and programme exit strategies.

2.Data Entry & Monitoring Support

• Undertake routine data entry tasks for beneficiary information, cash transfer tracking, and monitoring results.
• Assist in compiling programme statistics and indicators for reporting to donors and government counterparts.
• Provide administrative support to field monitoring missions, including preparation of checklists and data entry from oversight visits.

3.Coordination & Communication

• Liaise with field staff and implementing partners to facilitate smooth programme operations.
• Respond to routine queries from cooperating partners, escalating complex issues to appropriate programme staff or support units.
• Provide administrative support to coordination forums (e.g., Cash Working Group, Logistics Working Group, AA Technical Working Group).
• Support other Support Units with organizing workshops, training sessions, and coordination meetings.

4.Supply Chain / NFI Procurement Support

• Support Supply Chain on coordination mechanisms to ensure timely pre-positioning of NFIs.
• Track delivery schedules and maintain documentation of NFI distribution.
• Ensure filing and compliance with procurement SOPs.

5. Protection and Accountability Integration

• Provide any administrative support to the Gender & Protection officer when organizing events that relate to protection and Social Behavioral Change (SBC).
• Ensure beneficiary queries and feedback are handled with sensitivity and confidentiality.

Other Specific Job Requirements

• Familiarity with cash-transfer programmes and digital beneficiary management systems (e.g., SCOPE).
• Basic understanding of procurement and logistics processes for NFIs.
• Ability to handle sensitive beneficiary data with strict adherence to WFP’s data protection and privacy standards.
• Willingness to undertake field missions to support programme monitoring and beneficiary engagement.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple streams of programme documentation and reporting.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Education: Completion of secondary school education.

Experience: Two or more years of experience in administrative or programme support roles, preferably in humanitarian or development contexts. Experience with cash-transfer programmes or logistics support is an asset.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and standard office equipment.
• Ability to follow standard business support processes and procedures.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of digital beneficiary management systems (SCOPE, Kobo, ODK) desirable.

Language: Fluency in oral and written communication in English, as well as Sinhala or Tamil.

Position Title: Business Support Assistant - SC 2

Contract Type: Service Contract

Duty Station: Colombo,Sri Lanka

Nationality: Sri Lankan nationals Only

Date of Publication: 31.08.2026

Deadline of Application: 14.09.2026

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: global.inclusion@wfp.org

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

• All applications must be submitted exclusively through our online recruiting system. We do not consider CVs or applications sent by email, LinkedIn, or any other channel.
• We strongly recommend that your Workday profile is accurate and complete, and that all sections are filled in, including your employment history, academic qualifications, language skills, and UN grade (if applicable). Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.
• If you experience technical issues while submitting your application, you may contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org. Please note that this email is only for technical issues with an application - unsolicited applications or documents sent to this inbox will not receive a reply.
• At the application stage, the only required documents are your CV and Cover Letter. Additional documents (passport, certificates, recommendation letters, etc.) may be requested later in the process.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process.

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.