ARCHIVES ASSISTANT

Contract

This is a G-5 contract. This kind of contract is known as General Service and related categories. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be more than 7,648 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 This position is located in the Library & Archives of the United Nations Office at Geneva. The Archives Assistant reports to the Chief, Archives Management Unit (AMU).

Responsibilities Under the supervision of the Chief, Archives Management Unit (AMU), the incumbent:

1. Contributes to the development/expansion of the UN Archives Geneva digital platform by performing archival description of records and archives, following ISAD(G) and ISAAR(CPF) standards: - analyzes content of documents to be described extracting information useful for historic research, - enters data into the archives management system according to the archival description standards, - makes archival descriptions and files available online.

2. Assists with the provision of archival reference services: - identifies informational needs of in-person and virtual researchers and provides advice on identifying archival records appropriate for their research projects, - responding to in-person and virtual researcher queries, including real-time chat, video conferences and other forms of virtual reference services, - assists with the creation of virtual tutorials to assist virtual researchers in learning archival literacy skills and to search archival resources, - trains in-person researchers on the use of archival access tools, procedures for accessing archival records, referencing requirements and copyright rules.

3. Assists with the management of archival reference services: - assists in registering in-person researchers with UNOG Safety and Security Section, - monitors the Archival Reading Room and enforces access rules for confidential records, - ensures the Archival Reading Room is in working order and a suitable environment to accommodate researchers and archival records, - retrieves and returns requested archival boxes and bound volumes to and from the Archives Stacks, while ensuring documents are returned in good order, - assists with the physical management of archives and maintains the Archives Stacks, ensuring a safe environment for archival records, - collaborates with other UN Library & Archives Geneva services (Records Management Unit, Cataloguing Unit, Library Services Section) to optimize space management of shared spaces.

4. Participates in archives related tasks as assigned, included, but not limited to: - assists with quality control of metadata in archival management system, - assistance with the preparation of documentation and archival records for archival exhibitions and VIP visits, - assists with providing guided tours of archival exhibitions and UN Museum Geneva, including registration of visitors and maintenance of statistics, - participating in AMU and cross-unit/sectional working groups.

Competencies PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of electronic record-keeping and relevant information systems. Sound knowledge of information management archives management, record-keeping and record disposition. Knowledge of records and archives physical preservation standards. Ability to undertake research, maintain records in a systematic fashion and to retrieve necessary materials with maximum speed and accuracy. 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.

ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

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 High school diploma or equivalent.

Job - Specific Qualification Training in archives or records management is desirable.

Work Experience At least five (5) years of experience in archives, library, information management, records management or related area is required.

Out of those years, at least two (2) years of experience in an international organization is desirable.

Experience with reference services for archival materials is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English and French is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice - This position is temporary available to fill the functions of five (5) months, starting as soon as possible. - Recruitment for this position is done on a local basis, whether or not the candidate is a resident of the duty station. - Candidates should have no expectation of any fixed-term appointment possibility after the end of this temporary assignment. - If the selected candidate is an internal staff member of the UN Secretariat, the selection will be recorded as a temporary assignment. - Subsequent to the initial temporary appointment, new and successive temporary appointments may be granted for service in the same office or in a different office any number of times, for any duration, provided that the length of service does not exceed the period of 364 calendar days. - 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 appointment 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. - 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 5.7 below and staff rule 4.16 (b) (ii). 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.1 on Temporary Appointments. - All TJOs in the General Service and related categories, at the levels GS-5, GS-6 and GS-7 shall be open only to internal staff members at the respective duty station holding a Fixed-Term Appointment, Continuing Appointment or Permanent Appointment. When a qualified internal staff member cannot be identified, the hiring manager may submit a request for an exception for selecting an external candidate (including a staff member holding a temporary appointment). Such requests must be substantiated and submitted to the respective Recruitment focal point who in turn will review for transmittal to OHRM. - In addition, all new entry-level recruitment in the General Service and related categories, for positions at the GS-4/TC-3/S-2/ PIA I levels and below, irrespective of the source of funding, will only be granted Temporary Appointments. Vacancies at these levels are open to both internal and external candidates, including staff members on temporary appointments. However, priority consideration will be given to serving staff members holding Fixed-Term Appointments followed by those holding Temporary Appointments. New external candidates will only be considered when a serving staff member holding a Fixed-Term or Temporary Appointment cannot be identified. Selection of a new external candidate requires the approval of OHRM. No entry level Fixed-Term Appointments will be granted to new external candidates. - 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.1 - 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. - For more details on the administration of temporary appointments please refer to ST/AI/2010/4/Rev.1. - For information on special post allowance, please refer to ST/AI/1999/17. The Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and administrative issuances governing staff appointments can be viewed at: http://www.un.org/hr_handbook/English.

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.