Executive Associate, GS-6, Tegucigalpa, Honduras, #11896, Fixed term

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, opportunity

In Honduras, UNICEF supports the creation and development of national programs and policies for children.

The promotion and fulfillment of these rights are related to women´s rights, which is why UNICEF also works to promote their equality, free from all types of discrimination.

UNICEF works with the State, civil society organizations, the private sector, churches, and the media, among others, to promote national and international commitments that the principles enunciated in the Convention become a reality.

UNICEF’s budget depends entirely on voluntary funds. States provide two-thirds of the resources; foundations, the private sector, other private entities and some six million individual donors provide the rest.

UNICEF was created in 1946 by the United Nations to help the children of Europe who suffered the severe consequences of World War II.

For information of the work of our organization in Honduras, please visit our website: UNICEF Honduras  

How can you make a difference?

The Executive Associate is accountable for procedural communications, operations and administrative support services, as well as specialized administrative functions, to enhance the smooth running of the Representative´s and Deputy Representative´s day-to day activities, as well as his/her section. The post is a key interface with a broad range of contacts including high-ranking officials, both within and outside the Organization and is critical for the seamless coordination of matters within the management team. The post identifies possible efficiencies, prioritizes tasks, balances conflicting priorities and organizes work independently based on general direction from the supervisor.

Key-end results and main activities

1. Communications Support

• On behalf of supervisor, manage incoming and outgoing correspondence, e-mails and telephone calls.
• Communicate sensitive information to higher level managers.
• Provide routine information pertaining to the work of the division/office.
• Draft responses to written inquiries on routine questions.
• Coordinate responses to sensitive inquiries.
• Follow up on established deadlines and ensuring timely submissions by staff of reports, correspondence and other documents.

2. Administrative Support

• Maintain the Representative´s and Deputy Representative´s calendars and arrange meetings, including taking responsibility for finalization of the meeting agenda, the production and distribution of documentation, and preparation of minutes of meetings. Distribute meeting reports and information and ensure follow-up on required actions.
• Organize official travel on behalf Senior Staff.
• Preparing briefing materials for official trips or meetings.
• Prepare documentation for the supervisor’s signature reviewing for style, factual and grammatical accuracy.
• Follow up and alert the Representative on office performance indicators (Dashboard, RAM, etc).
• Prepare Office Travel Plans for Domestic and International travel.

3. Operations Support

• Supports capacity development activities and conferences by making the logistical arrangements, through engaging with facilitators, caterers, and hosts.
• Maintains and updates a system which monitors the absence of staff.
• Supports management of administrative supplies, office equipment, and updating the inventory of items.

4. Budget Monitoring Support

• Monitors incoming grants and alerts Senior Management and programme heads as well as the Budget and Planning associate for the allocation of funds.
• Supports the office as PRC Secretary when necessary.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• Completion of secondary education is required, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to the field of work.
• A minimum of six years of relevant administrative or clerical work experience is required.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English and Spanish is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian) or a local language is an asset.

Skills Required

• Training and experience using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other UNICEF software such as SharePoint; knowledge of integrated management information systems required.
• Organizational, planning and prioritizing skills and abilities.
• Ability to deal patiently and tactfully with visitors.
• High sense of confidentiality, initiative and good judgment.
• Ability to work effectively with people of different national and cultural background.
• Ability to work in a team environment to achieve common goals and to provide guidance to more junior support staff.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. 

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, UNICEF encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be cancelled.

All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.