Administrative Assistant

The Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) provides a suite of programmes to support women scientists from low- and middle-income countries. The objective is to enhance their influence as scientific leaders in their fields or institutions and increase the role of women in development. OWSD is a UNESCO programme unit and hosted by The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) in Trieste, Italy. OWSD’s programmes build on the network and enthusiasm of over their 10,000 members, all women scientists with postgraduate degrees, living and working in developing countries. 

Under the overall authority of the TWAS Executive Director and the OWSD Programme Coordinator, the incumbent will carry out a wide range of administrative tasks supporting programme development, implementation, outreach and communication.

In particular, the incumbent will: 

Programme Development:

• Assist with fundraising efforts by contributing information, data and visuals to various documents related to fundraising, reporting, and outreach.
• Draft text and contribute to a variety of programme development related activities (e.g. new collaboration with institutes, concept notes to funders, and collaboration requests to technical partners).
• Help guide partners (including National Chapters and Implementing Partners) through standard procedures and forms.
• Identify and propose improvements to procedures, practices and databases and follow-up as appropriate.
• Provide guidance to new staff, technical partners, consultants, and interns on programme activities and tasks.
• Respond to requests from the Director, Programme Coordinator and/or external stakeholders for statistical tables and charts and information on programme-related activities especially regarding  impact.

Outreach and Communication:

• Assist with communications and outreach to potential partners by drafting correspondence, organising meetings, and liaising with relevant UNESCO country/field offices and other partners (e.g. other UN Agencies) to ensure the programme is clearly communicated and stakeholders are informed.
• Receive, analyse and respond to queries from programme partners and beneficiaries, provide guidance on UNESCO procedures and rules and monitor progress in various types of contracts.
• Request and process follow-ups and final reports from institutes, implementing partners, consultants, service providers, and awardees to ensure that deliverables and timeline are respected, and necessary narrative and financial reports are received.
• Examine reports and follow network communications to identify interesting and outstanding cases that illustrate programme successes; contribute to the presentations showcasing the impact of programmes.

Programme Implementation:

• Assist with effective and timely management of various types of contracts (i.e. Implementation Partnership Agreements, Individual Consultant Agreements, Contract for Services, etc.) with partners, institute, and individuals.
• Draft contracts, partnership agreements, or purchase orders using standard templates. Assist with documentation for UNESCO Contracts Committee, and support beneficiaries’ requests for goods in compliance with UNESCO’s procurement procedures, where appropriate, ensure disbursement of funds and liaise with implementing partners, awarded scientists, or suppliers about administrative and logistical arrangements.
• Prepare expenditure estimates in order to ensure fund allocations, liaise with colleagues for further clearances as required and submit documentation for processing to ensure timely disbursement of funds.
• Create and manage vendors in UNESCO’s finance system, receive and review invoices, payment and reimbursement requests, and prepare and submit payment orders for processing in compliance with UNESCO financial rules and procedures.
• Prepare and launch calls, receive and log applications for OWSD’s Programmes, confirm eligibility of applicants and assign to reviewers for evaluation.
• Provide logistical, administrative and technical support for in-person and online meetings, skill-building workshops, partnership meetings, seminars and trainings, prepare support material such as invitations, agenda/curricula, expenditure forecasts, correspond with participants regarding travel arrangements, take minutes.

Required Qualifications:

Education:

• Completed secondary, technical and/or vocational school.

Work Experience:

• Minimum (3) years of relevant working experience in general administrative roles.

Skills:

• Solid computer skills and proficiency in the use of MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Familiarity with data management systems and communication tools, internet, web resources and social media.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Good organizational, coordination, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to ensure efficiency in challenging situations and to work in teams.
• Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.

Language:

• Excellent knowledge (spoken and written) of English.

Source: https://careers.unesco.org/job/Trieste-Administrative-Assistant/798642702/