Administrative Assistant

Contract

This is a G-6 contract. This kind of contract is known as General Service and related categories. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 6 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be more than 1,952 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

Org. Setting and Reporting The mandate of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is to promote regional cooperation for inclusive economic and social development in the Asian and Pacific region. ESCAP’s role as a regional development arm of the United Nations Secretariat is to support its membership, through its analytical, normative and technical cooperation, to respond to the development priorities and changing needs of the Asia and Pacific region.

This position is located in the Host Country Relations Unit (HCRU), Commercial and General Services Section (CGSS), in the Division of Administration. The incumbent reports to the Chief of Host Country Relations Unit.

Responsibilities Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Host Country Relations Unit, and overall supervision of the Chief of Commercial and General Services Section, the incumbent is required to perform the following functions:

Human Resources Management - Initiates, reviews, processes and follows-up on actions related to host country services of the unit with host government offices including duty-free customs clearance, formalities in obtaining necessary authorization/permission to import/use/possess prohibited/certain kind of goods, formalities on acquisition, registration, use and disposal of privileged vehicle, formalities in obtaining necessary host country ID card/driving license/ VAT Exemption Certificate, protocol as well as 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 host country related diplomatic privileges and entitlements, administrative procedures, processes and practices and conditions of service. - Oversees the maintenance of vacancy announcement files and keeps track of status of vacancy announcements. - Monitors staffing table and prepare relevant statistical data/charts of ESCAP and its clients.

Budget and Finance - Assists in the preparation and review of Host Country Relations Unit’s statistical BI Report, monthly cost recovery reports, financial and human resource proposals/requirements. Consolidates data for Host Country Relations Unit’s database and reports. - 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. - Co-ordinates 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 other service units and liaises frequently with both internal team members and host government offices, particularly, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Customs, Department of Land Transport as well as other relevant offices/organizations including private sectors. - Performs other related administrative duties, as required (e.g., operational travel programme; maintenance of data and information on relevant webpages and other communication tools; monitoring accounts and payment to vendors and individual contractors for services; supporting protocol-related services; identification of office technology needs and maintenance of equipment, software and systems; organizing and coordinating seminars, trainings, conferences and translations); managing and monitoring host country services provided at the CGSS Service Desk; establishing/improving/transforming administrative procedures and systems, through digitalization and other IT tools, to ensure smooth functioning of the unit. - Responsible for guiding, training, and supervising the work of more junior General Service staff.

Contract Administration - Assists with day-to-day 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 Host Country Relations Unit, Commercial and General Services Section or Service UN staff, including: UN grounds passes, property passes, UN parking permits, swipe-card access and door keys.

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. 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.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

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.

Education High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job - Specific Qualification A first-level university degree is desirable.

Work Experience A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in administrative, diplomatic, consular, customs or human resources services is required.

Experience in liaising with diplomatic missions and host country government agencies and/or handling of diplomatic privileges is required.

Experience working in the United Nations Common System, international organizations, diplomatic missions or host country government agencies is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Fluency in Thai is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment Qualified applicants may be evaluated through a competency-based interview and/or other assessment methods.

Special Notice 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.

Applicants may apply and be considered for locally recruited positions no matter where they are currently located (including the current serving staff members at other duty stations), provided they are locally available upon appointment. Selected candidates/staff members will have to relocate at their own expense to report for duty. In accordance with SR 4.4(c), they shall not be eligible for the international allowances or benefits indicated under staff rule 4.5 (a). If they do not already have the right to work in the duty station, appointment is contingent on issuance of a visa from the local authorities.

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.

Passing the Global General Service Test (GGST) is a prerequisite for recruitment consideration in the General Services and related categories in the United Nations Secretariat. Applicants who have not passed the GGST at the time of application may be invited for the test after submitting an application. Staff members who were granted a fixed-term, continuing or permanent as a result of having passed a predecessor test recognized by the Office of Human Resources Management, and who have continuously held such appointments, are not required to take the new test.

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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.