Team Assistant

The Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) forms part of the United Nations Secretariat and, like the other regional commissions, operates under the supervision of the United Nations Economic and Social Council. ESCWA comprises 21 Arab countries in Western Asia and North Africa.

ESCWA provides a framework for the formulation and harmonisation of sectoral policies for member countries, a platform for congress and coordination, a home for expertise and knowledge, and an information observatory.

ESCWA activities are coordinated with the divisions and main offices of the Headquarters of the United Nations, specialised agencies, and international and regional organizations, including the League of Arab States and its subsidiary bodies, and the Gulf Cooperation Council. This position is in Cluster 6: ‘Governance and conflict prevention’ of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia. Cluster 6 acts as a pioneer and multi- stakeholder regional platform for deliberation, consensus-building, peer learning and policy solutions to ensure participation and partnerships for governance and institution building, and to enhance the capacity of member States in conflict or post-conflict settings on conflict prevention for more just, equitable and inclusive societies in the Arab region. The Team Assistant reports to the project coordinator of the Economic governance section under the overall guidance of the cluster lead.

Responsibilities

Within limits of delegated authority and depending on location, the Team Assistant at this level will be responsible for the following duties:

• Performs a wide range of office support, research and administrative functions.
• Responds or drafts responses to routine correspondence and other communications; uses standard word processing package to produce a wide variety of large, complex documents and reports.
• Evaluates a variety of documents, summarizes pertinent material, collects data received and provides in-depth analysis of the retrieved information.
• Monitors processes and schedules related the unit’s outputs, products, tasks, etc.
• Researches, compiles and organizes information and reference materials from various sources for reports, work plans, studies, briefings, meetings/conferences, etc.
• Generates a variety of standard statistical and other reports, work orders, etc., using various databases.
• Proofreads documents and edits texts for accuracy, grammar, punctuation and style, and for adherence to established standards for format.
• Provides research, administrative and logistics support to meetings, workshops, forums, committees, conferences, etc.
• Assists in the maintenance of websites by scanning, converting and posting a variety of documents onto the site.
• Assists in the preparation of presentation materials using appropriate technology/software.
• Performs data extraction and analysis functions.
• Reviews, records, distributes and/or processes mail and other documents; follows-up on impending actions.
• Updates and maintains large distribution lists; monitors, prepares and distributes various materials, reports, where possible using electronic formats; handles arrangement for printing and translation as necessary; coordinates shipment arrangements, courier services, etc.
• Maintains files (both paper and electronic) and databases for work unit.
• Provides guidance to less experienced staff on general office processes and procedures, computer applications, etc.
• 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 duties as assigned.

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job – Specific Qualification

• A first level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, Sustainability or related field is desirable.

Work Experience

• A minimum of 3 years of experience in general office or project/programme support or related area is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to 1 for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. A minimum of 1 year of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable. A minimum of 1 year of experience in research in the field of economic development is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. In addition, Arabic is a working language at ESCWA. For this position, fluency in English and Arabic is required. Note: “Fluency” equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas.

Source: https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/235600?language=en