Org. Setting and Reporting
This post is located in the Office of Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria (OSE-Syria) in Geneva, Switzerland. The incumbent will report to the Chief of Staff.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Administrative Assistant will be responsible for the following duties: • Receives and reviews incoming mail addressed to the Special Envoy (SE) and Deputy Special Envoy (DSE) and facilitate timely flow of documents, communication, messages, to and from the Front Office. • Maintains the Special Envoy’s and Deputy Special Envoy’s calendars, handles the day-to-day management of the Special Envoy’s and Deputy Special Envoy’s agenda and appointments. • Assist in the preparation of the Special Envoy and Deputy Special Envoy’s meeting by issuing invitations/notifications, setting up connection details, etc. • Supports in organizing meetings, including liaising with security, Swiss police, protocol, conference management, catering, etc. • Processes travel requests, expense claims, visa applications and security clearances. • Ensures smooth and efficient information flow within the office; prepares and processes confidential information. • Carries out quality control function for outgoing documents; proofreads and edits texts for adherence for format, grammar, punctuation and style. • Drafts routine correspondence such as letters, Note Verbales, etc. • Participates in the organization and preparation of staff meetings. • Prepares and updates proposed calendar of conferences, meetings, and workshops of the SE/DSE. • Assists with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making. • Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures. • Performs other tasks as assigned by the Chief of Staff.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to perform a broad range of administrative functions. Ability to apply knowledge of various United Nations administrative, financial and human resources rules and regulations in work situations. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work. The ability to perform analysis, modeling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making. TEAMWORK: Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to work collaboratively with colleagues in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity to achieve organizational goals. Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
Education
High school diploma or equivalent is required.
Job – Specific Qualification
Not available.
Work Experience
A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in the field of administrative services, finance, human resources or related field within the United Nations is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to three (3) for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. Experience working for senior officials in in a field mission is required. Good drafting skills in English and Arabic are required. Experience in processing travel requests and travel arrangements is desirable. Experience in the use of enterprise resource planning systems (such as SAP, Umoja, Inspira), and the use of information technology program related to spreadsheets, databases and word processing, is desirable. Experience in electronic filing system, or other comparable systems is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English and Arabic is required.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
Candidate selected will be granted a fixed-term appointment limited (“FTA limited”) in accordance with section 2.2 (b) of administrative instruction ST/AI/2013/1 on Administration of fixed-term appointments. United Nations Secretariat staff members who meet the definition of “internal candidate” in staff rule 4.10, who are selected for a position subject to FTA-limited will be reassigned to the position without a lien to their parent position. This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. All staff in the General Service and related categories shall be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of each office, irrespective of their nationality and of the length of time they may have been in the country. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
United Nations Considerations
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.