Business Support Assistant - GDS & Ticketing (Travel)

About the role

The World Food Programme (WFP) is recruiting a Business Support Assistant (SC-4, Grade 4) for its GHQ Travel Hub in Dakar, Senegal, reporting to the Head of GHQ Travel Hub. The role supports the hub's end-to-end air ticket processing, with a primary responsibility for handling flight bookings through a Global Distribution System (GDS) and issuing tickets via the BCD Automated Ticket Issuance system.

Key responsibilities

• Process air travel requests through WFP travel workflows, search and book flights in a GDS, and prepare proposed itineraries with fare conditions and constraints.
• Confirm itineraries with travellers and travel focal points, then submit them through the BCD Automated Ticket Issuance system for e-ticket issuance.
• Ensure bookings comply with WFP travel policies, financial rules and security requirements, applying cost-containment principles such as lowest logical fares and approved routes.
• Check accuracy of itineraries, ticketing data and fare rules before issuance, and keep booking records for audit and reporting.
• Act as a key contact for ticketing issues, liaising with BCD Travel and internal stakeholders to resolve re-issues, exchanges, cancellations and disruptions, and offering alternative routing when needed.
• Contribute to improving ticketing workflows and SOPs, share knowledge on GDS and fare rules, and flag recurring issues or policy gaps.

Required profile

• Secondary school completion; a university degree or diploma in Travel, Tourism, Business Administration or a related field is desirable.
• At least 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.
• Fluent oral and written English and French.

Required skills

• Strong technical expertise in airline reservations and ticketing.
• High attention to detail and accuracy, client-oriented, able to work under time pressure.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills, able to work independently in a global team.

The contract is a 6-month service contract (renewable) based in Dakar, Diamniadio, Senegal. An attractive compensation package is offered, and applications are open until 13 November 2026.