Business Support Assistant (GDS & Ticketing Specialist) - Travel

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

13 November 2026-23:59-GMT Greenwich Mean Time (Dakar)

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 extreme weather shocks.

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).

JOB TITLE: Business Support Assistant (GDS & Ticketing Specialist)

TYPE OF CONTRACT: Service Contract

GRADE : Level 4

UNIT/DIVISION: 6 months (Renewable)

DUTY STATION (City, Country): Dakar, Diamniadio, Senegal reporting to Head of GHQ Travel Hub, MSD

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity.

Under the One Global HQ model, WFP has established the GHQ Travel Hub to consolidate and streamline global travel services, ensuring policy compliance, cost efficiency, and consistent service delivery across headquarters, regional offices, and country operations. The GHQ Travel Hub plays a critical role in supporting WFP’s operational readiness by providing timely and accurate travel services worldwide

THE ROLE:

The Travel Focal Point will support the GHQ Travel Hub by providing end to end air ticket processing services, with a primary responsibility for handling flight bookings through a Global Distribution System (GDS). The incumbent will identify and share suitable flight options with requestors, and upon confirmation, submit electronic ticketing requests to the BCD Automated Ticket Issuance system for issuance.

The role requires strong technical expertise in airline reservations, ticketing rules, and fare construction, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant ticketing in line with WFP travel policies and corporate efficiency principles.

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

GDS Ticketing and Travel Processing

• Process air travel requests received through WFP travel workflows and systems.
• Perform flight searches and reservations using a Global Distribution System (GDS), ensuring optimal routing, fare selection, and compliance with WFP travel policies.
• Prepare and share proposed flight options with travellers and travel focal points, clearly outlining fare conditions and key constraints.
• Coordinate closely with travellers/travel focal points to confirm itineraries and travel preferences.
• Submit finalized itineraries through the BCD Automated Ticket Issuance system for ticket issuance.
• Ensure timely issuance of e‑tickets and accurate transmission of travel documentation to travellers.

Compliance and Quality Assurance

• Ensure all bookings comply with WFP travel policies, financial rules, security requirements, and corporate efficiency measures.
• Apply cost‑containment principles, including use of lowest logical fares, approved routes, and preferred carriers when applicable.
• Conduct accuracy checks on itineraries, ticketing data, and fare rules prior to ticket issuance.
• Maintain proper records of bookings and ticketing actions for audit and reporting purposes.

Coordination and Client Support

• Serve as a key operational contact for travellers and GHQ Travel Hub colleagues on ticketing‑related matters.
• Liaise with BCD Travel and internal stakeholders to resolve ticketing issues, re‑issues, exchanges, cancellations, and disruptions.
• Support travellers during disruptions by proposing alternative routing options and coordinating corrective ticketing actions.
• Maintain clear, timely, and professional communication with all stakeholders.

Process Improvement and Support

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of ticketing workflows and SOPs within the GHQ Travel Hub.
• Support team knowledge‑sharing on GDS functionality, fare rules, and ticketing best practices.
• Flag recurring issues, system constraints, or policy gaps and propose practical solutions.

Perform any other related duties as required.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

• Timely and accurate processing of air ticket requests through GDS.
• High compliance with WFP travel policies and ticketing standards.
• Reduced turnaround time between travel request, itinerary confirmation, and ticket issuance.
• High traveler satisfaction through reliable, responsive, and technically sound ticketing support.
• Strengthened operational efficiency of GHQ Travel Hub ticketing functions.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

Completion of secondary school education. University degree or diploma in Travel, Tourism, Business Administration, or a related field is desirable.

Experience:

Minimum 4 years of relevant experience in airline reservations, ticketing, or travel operations

Prior experience with Travel Management Companies (TMCs) or international organizations is an asset.

Familiarity with UN/common system travel rules is desirable.

Knowledge & Skills:

Strong technical expertise in airline reservations and ticketing.

High attention to detail and accuracy.

Client‑oriented mindset with the ability to work under time pressure.

Strong organizational and prioritization skills.

Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a global team environment.

Clear and professional communication skills.

Languages:

Fluent oral and written communication skills in English. Fluent oral and written communication skills in French.

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:  [email protected]

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 [email protected]. 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.