Org. Setting and Reporting
The UN SecretaryGeneral launched on 1 January 2019 a bold and new global reform which repositioned the UN Development System to deliver more effectively and efficiently with the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. As part of this reform, UN Resident Coordinator Offices (UN RC, under the leadership of an empowered and independent UN Resident Coordinatorthe highestranking official of the UN Development System and Representative of the UN SecretaryGeneral at country levelsupport countries in the achievement of their development priorities and the attainment of the SDGs. The position is located in the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCin Damascus (Syrian Arab Republi.
Responsibilities
Under the guidance of the Resident Coordinator (Rand direct supervision of the Head of Office, and in full confidentiality, the Executive Associate ensures effective and efficient functioning of the RC frontoffice, overall management of the RC’s schedule and logistical requirements, maintenance of protocol procedures, management of information flow and followup on deadlines and commitments made. Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: FRONT OFFICE MANAGEMENT: • Ensures effective and efficient functioning of the UN RC Front Office, full confidentiality in all aspects of assignment, maintenance of protocol procedures, management of information flow and followup on deadlines and commitments made. • Maintains the RC’s calendar, and arranges appointments and meetings. • Manages the UN RC missions and travels, including transport, accommodation, approval on UMOJA system, security clearance on system, official communication to relevant stakeholders, etc. • Maintains repositories of partner contact lists and ensures a regular updates. • Prepares of correspondence, directives, comments on behalf of the UN RC for his/her signature and ensuring delivery and any other followup when required. • Screens all incoming calls and correspondence. Maintains the filing system ensuring safekeeping of confidential materials. • Coordinates with the RCO driver the transport arrangements for the UN RC and RCO staff. Manages the overall work of the RCO driver. • Responds to adhoc requests of the RC. HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT: • Initiates, reviews, processes and followsup on actions related to the administration of the unit’s human resource activities, e.g., recruitment of staff and consultants, placement, promotion, relocation, performance appraisal, job classification reviews, separation of staff members, training etc., ensuring consistency in the application of UN rules and procedures. • Responds to enquiries and provides information and advice to staff regarding their entitlements, administrative procedures, processes and practices, conditions of service, duties and responsibilities, and entitlements under the Staff Rules and Regulations. • Oversees the maintenance of vacancy announcement files and keeps track of status of vacancy announcements. Reviews and processes personnel actions through UMOJA, UN Secretariat’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERsystem. • Monitors staffing table and prepare relevant statistical data/charts. BUDGET AND FINANCE: • Assists in the preparation and review of financial and human resource proposals/requirements. Consolidates budget/work programme with respect to Headquarters’ budget, trust funds, grants and procurement. • Monitors expenditures and compares with approved budget; prepares adjustments as necessary. • Assists managers in the elaboration of resource requirements for budget submissions. • Assists in preparation of budget performance submissions and finalization of budget performance reports, analysing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures • Prepares or customizes financial reports from UMOJA system generated reports. • Coordinates with other finance and budget staff on related issues during preparation of budget reports. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION: • Drafts routine correspondence to respond to enquiries in respect to relevant administrative, financial audit, personnel matters. • Coordinates extensively with service units and liaises frequently with internal team members both at Headquarters and in the field. • Performs other related administrative duties, as required (e.g., operational travel programme; monitoring accounts and payment to vendors and individual contractors for services; physical space planning; identification of office technology needs and maintenance of equipment, software and systems; organizing and coordinating seminars, conferences and translation. • May be responsible for guiding, training, and supervising the work of more junior General Service staff. CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION: • Assists with daytoday administration of contracts between the UN and external contractors for outsourced services. • Audits the contractors’ invoices against the goods and services provided by the contractor and approved by the UN. • Processes the payment of contractors’ invoices and monitor payments. • Prepares and processes all UN forms and permissions for contractual and work Unit, Section or Service UN staff, including: UN grounds passes, property passes, UN parking permits, swipecard access and door keys. • Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures. Ensures that requirements and background information used for data analysis are documented. • Performs any other relevant duties as assigned.
Competencies
• PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to perform a broad range of administrative functions, e.g., budget/work programme, human resources, database management, etc. Ability to apply knowledge of various United Nations administrative, financial and human resources rules and regulations in work situations. The ability to perform analysis, modeling and interpretation of data in support of decisionmaking. 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. • PLANNING & 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. • CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
Education
Completion of High School diploma or equivalent is required. Additional certification or training on human resources, administration, audit, finance, procurement, management or a similar area, is required.
JobSpecific Qualification
Not available.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in administrative services, finance, accounting, audit, human resources, procurement or related area, is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced by two (2) years for candidates who possess a first level University degree. Work experience with the United Nations or similar international organization, in particular in terms of operations and coordination, is desirable. Work experience of one (1) year or more in data analytics or related area is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in French and Arabic is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage. NOTE: “Fluency equals a rating of “fluent” in all four areas (read, write, speak, understanand “Knowledge of equals a rating of’ confident” in two of the four areas.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competencybased interview.
Special Notice
This is a Temporary Job Opening. Appointment against this position is for a duration of SIX (6) MONTHS a limited duration and does not carry any expectancy, legal or otherwise, of renewal. The position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 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. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. “Internal Applicants : When completing the form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. ” The expression “Internal candidates”, shall mean staff members who have been recruited after a competitive examination under staff rule 16 or after the advice of a central review body under staff rule 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. Notes: • A current staff member who holds a fixedterm, permanent or continuing appointment may apply for temporary positions no more than one level above his or her current grade. However, a current staff member who holds an appointment at the G6 or G7 level may also apply to temporary positions in the Professional category up to and including the P3 level, subject to meeting all eligibility and other requirements for the position. A staff member holding a temporary appointment shall be regarded as an external candidate when applying for other positions, and may apply for other temporary positions at any level, subject to section 7 below and staff rule 16 ((i. Therefore, a staff member holding a temporary appointment in the General Service or related categories may only apply to positions within those categories. For full information on eligibility requirements, please refer to section 5 of ST/AI/2010/4Rev.2 on Temporary Appointments. In its resolution 66/234, the General Assembly further “stressed that the SecretaryGeneral should not recur to the practice of temporarily filling posts in the Professional and higher categories with General Service staff members who have not passed the General Service to Professional category examination other than on an exceptional basis, and requests the SecretaryGeneral to ensure that temporary occupation of such posts by the General Service staff shall not exceed a period of one year, effective 1 January 2013…” Consequently, eligible candidates in the General Service or related categories for temporary job openings in the Professional category that have not passed the competitive examination may be selected only on an exceptional basis endorsed by the Office of Human Resources Management where no other suitable candidate could be identified. • Upon separation from service, including, but not limited to, expiration or termination of, or resignation from, a fixedterm, continuing or permanent appointment, a former staff member will be ineligible for reemployment on the basis of a temporary appointment for a period of 31 days following the separation. In the case of separation from service on retirement, a former staff member will be ineligible for reemployment for a period of three months following the separation. This equally applies, mutatis mutandis, with respect to a former or current staff member who has held or holds an appointment in another entity applying the United Nations Staff Regulations and Rules and who applies for a temporary position with the Secretariat. • While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. An external candidate selected for this position is bound by the prevailing condition of the staff selection system under ST/AI/2010/3, as amended, and ST/AI/2010/4/Rev.A staff member holding a temporary appointment who is recruited in the Professional and above categories on a temporary appointment, and placed on a position authorized for one year or longer may not apply for or be reappointed to his/her current position within six months of the end of his/her current service. This provision does not apply to staff members holding temporary appointments and placed on positions authorized for one year or more in duty stations authorized for peacekeeping operations or special political missions. • Please note that candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. • For information on special post allowance, please refer to ST/AI/1999/For more details on the administration of temporary appointments please refer to ST/AI/2010/4/Rev.The Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and administrative issuances governing staff appointments can be viewed at: http://www.un.org/hr_handbook/English. Staff members are subject to the authority of the SecretaryGeneral and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an email acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira “Need Help?” link.
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 nonsmoking 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 SecretaryGeneral, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 2 (. Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D2 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 accountholder 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 timon 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 TRAININ. THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.