Senior Driver and Admin Assistant, GS3, FT, Muscat- Oman

 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 fulfil 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, vision.

The fundamental and primary mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy, and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias, or favouritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic, and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in child survival, education, and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfil their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. Therefore, the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

For every child, support: UNICEF has been operating in the Sultanate of Oman for over 50 years. While initial programming focused more on a more traditional child survival and development agenda, with the graduation of the country to ‘high income’ status in 2007, UNICEF has adjusted its approach to undertake targeted, upstream interventions that address the country’s “unfinished business”. This includes issues related to the quality and financing of services; institutional capacity; and behavioural and social norms.  Hence, the overarching goal of the 2022-25 Country Programme is “to support the Government to empower all children in Oman to realize their rights and participate equitably in building a knowledge-based society and competitive economy”, by

Outcome 1: Strengthening evidence-based policies for children, so that by 2025 improved public finance analysis, data and evidence are used to inform social policies and programmes for children, adolescents and young people, and progress towards the realization of the SDGs.

Outcome 2: Enhancing systems and services for children, adolescents and young people, so that all children, adolescents and young people in Oman, including those with disabilities, benefit from improved social service systems and services.

 

Thus, in a small office like the Oman Country Office, this position fulfills crucial responsibilities in addition to the senior driver functions for the Representative. It supports the Procurement & Admin Assistant with various administrative activities, including visa processing, travel arrangement, customs clearance, office maintenance, and improvement among others.

 

How can you make a difference? Under the supervision of Procurement and Admin Assistant G5, the Senior Driver & Admin Assistant, at the G-3 level, performs 60% as Senior Driver and 40% as Admin Assistant. She/He provides reliable and safe driving services to the head of office, demonstrating the highest standards of professionalism, discretion, integrity, sense of responsibility, excellent knowledge of protocol, whilst ensuring compliance with local driving rules and regulations.

The Senior Driver & Admin Assistant demonstrates a client-oriented approach, high sense of responsibility, courtesy, tact and the ability to work with people of different national and cultural backgrounds. Under the supervision and guidance of the Procurement & Admin Associate, the Senior Driver & Admin Assistant is responsible for executing a broad variety of routine administrative tasks for the office.

The Senior Driver & Admin Assistant will be expected to perform key functions, and accountabilities as described below:

1. Reliable and safe driving services for staff and officials
2. Maintenance of assigned vehicle
3. Documentation of vehicle-related information
4. Travel documentation and support
5. Handling protocol issues related to staff travel, work permit, visa and international staff privileges
6. Office supplies and maintenance

1. Reliable and safe driving services for staff and officials.

• Drives the Head of the Office, senior UN staff and high-ranking UN officials and visitors, ensuring the provision of reliable and safe driving services.
• Meets senior official personnel and visitors at the airport and may assists with basic visa and customs formalities and arrangements as required.

2. Maintenance of assigned vehicle.

• Ensures vehicle is kept in good running condition at all times through addressing minor repairs, making arrangements for major repairs, timely changes of oil, check of tires, brakes, water levels, and car washing.

3. Documentation of vehicle-related information.

• Ensures availability of all the required documents/supplies, including vehicle insurance, vehicle registration, vehicle logs, office directory, map of the city/country, first aid kit, and necessary spare parts in the assigned vehicle; keeps track of insurance and other tax formalities.

4. Travel documentation and support.

• Provides travel assistance to staff members in section for travel arrangements, liaises with focal points to ensure that the organization obtains the best service and price for all travel.
• Briefs/de-briefs staff members about administrative requirements for travel such as visas, security clearance, medical clearance, and documentation procedures.
• To initiate and finalize official visit/residential visa process (including diplomatic and residence ID) as requested by supervisor within the agreed timeline through the Foreign Ministry (FM) and/or the Royal Omani Police (ROP).

5. Handling protocol issues related to staff travel, work permit, visa and international staff privileges.

• To provide assistance to international staff in relation to administrative tasks such as opening bank accounts, driving licenses, registering lease agreements with MOFA, and school registration.
• To cancel/terminate all visas and residencies for staff and their dependents at the end of their assignment in Oman.
• To process the request for VIP airport lounge for eligible staff during departure and arrival to Oman.
• To issue new or renew airport permits for both drivers in the office.
• Provide support to custom clearance and renewal of customs documents.
• Organizes and files documents issued by the Government, UNICEF HQ and CO related to Protocol, including records of travel and residence documents for all international staff, and  makes all the necessary arrangements to update and renew documents as per Government requirements.

6. Office supplies and maintenance.

• Monitor and supervise adequate and appropriate use of supplies. Ensures that services and maintenance of premises are in accordance with organizational standards.
• Supports management of administrative supplies and office equipment and updating the inventory of items.
• Monitor and supervise building maintenance.

 

The Senior Driver & Admin Assistant will be expected to produce the following key end-results:

The efficiency and efficacy of the support provided by the Senior Driver & Admin Assistant with respect to the assigned driving roles ensure the safe and timely transportation of staff, officials, and visitors to work assignments and the efficient maintenance of vehicles owned/rented by the office, thus supporting the efficient running of the office which in turn strengthens UNICEF’s capacity in delivering programmes for the most vulnerable women and children in that particular country.

Furthermore, the efficiency and efficacy of the support provided by the Senior Driver & Admin Assistant with respect to the assigned administrative roles, she/he provides support in the application of established rules and procedures as well as in typical, non-specialized support work. Key performance indicators include the timely and accurate performance of assigned activities.

To qualify as a champion for every child vision, you will have:

Education:  A secondary education is required, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to the field of work. A valid driver’s license and knowledge of local driving rules and regulations is required.

Knowledge, Skills and Ability required:

• Good knowledge of the city, local roads and conditions where the office is located
• Knowledge of driving rules and regulations, chauffeur protocol and courtesies
• Skills in minor vehicle repairs
• 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
• Training and experience using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other UNICEF software such as SharePoint; knowledge of integrated management information systems required.
• Good knowledge of UNICEF administrative policies and procedures.
• Organizational, planning and prioritizing skills and abilities.
• Ability to deal patiently and tactfully with visitors and partners.
• Ability to work in a team environment to achieve common goals.

Work-related experience:

• A minimum of three years of work experience as a driver in an international organization, embassy or UN system with a safe driving record is required.
• A minimum of one year of experience in a relevant administration field in large Organizations or UN Agencies is required.

Language Requirements: Proficiency in English and fluency in Arabic languages is required.

 

For every Child support, you are expected to demonstrate UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

 The functional competencies required for this post are:

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
• Works Collaboratively with others (1)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

 

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

 Statement on UNICEF’s Zero-Tolerance policy on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse:

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and 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 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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks:

Diversity Remark:

Given due consideration to the gender diversity in the overall UNICEF Oman CO, with specific reference to GS posts, both genders are encouraged to apply.

Flexibility with the audience remark:

The VA is open to all (internal and external candidates)

Shortlisted candidate remark:

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

Other Remarks:

As per 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.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable male candidates from industrial countries are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required  to resign from their government positions 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.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.