Co-ordinator of the General Assistance Unit

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. More about G-5 contracts.

Org. Setting and Reporting

The International Court of Justice was established by the Charter of the United Nations and is the principal judicial organ of that Organization. The Court is composed of 15 judges, each elected to serve a nine-year term of office by the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council. Judges are selected from among persons of high moral character, who possess the qualifications required in their respective countries for appointment to the highest judicial offices. One third of the Court is elected every three years. The Court has a twofold role: first, to settle, in accordance with international law, through judgments which have binding force and are without appeal for the parties concerned, legal disputes submitted to it by States; and, second, to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by duly authorized United Nations organs and specialized agencies.

The Court is the only principal organ of the United Nations to have its own administration (Charter, Article 98). The Registry is the permanent international secretariat of the Court. Since the Court is both a judicial body and an international institution, the role of the Registry includes providing judicial support and acting as a permanent administrative organ. The activities of the Registry are thus administrative, as well as judicial and diplomatic. The Registry is headed by the Registrar, who is elected by the Members of the Court.

Under the supervision of the Head of the Security and General Assistance Division, the Co-ordinator of the General Assistance Unit will oversee the activities of the Unit in providing central support services to the Registry and the Court. The incumbent will supervise the work of staff members assigned to the Unit namely the Drivers/Team Assistants and the Receptionist, and perform general assistance assignments.

Responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following duties:

Co-ordination of the General Services Unit - Prepare, review and approve requests for driving assignments for Members of the Court and the Registry, as well as other duties carried out by the General Assistance Unit; plan and distribute assignments; provide duty schedules for the Drivers/Team Assistants and the Receptionist and co-ordinate their work shifts as necessary. - Co-ordinate the delivery and collection of official documents to and from embassies, international organizations and local authorities in the Netherlands. - Manage the performance of staff members working under his or her authority, including preparing the workplan of the unit and assisting in the preparation of individual workplans. Approve and monitor leave requests and overtime for staff in the Unit. - Train new staff members in the procedures and practices of the Unit. - Prepare and update the standard operating procedures applicable to the Unit. - Manage catering supplies and replenishment of stock based on usage and anticipated demand. - Make recommendations to the Head regarding staffing requirements for the Unit, making efficient use of human resources and minimizing overtime. - Manage and coordinate the paper recycling programme. - Ensure the provision of logistical support to relevant units of the Registry for the unloading and receipt of documents and packages, including publications, filings, etc. - Ensures the safe reception and delivery of drinking water bottles at water dispensers throughout the Court’s premises.

Driving assignments and maintenance of the Court’s vehicles - Ensure the safe, timely and comfortable transport of Members of the Court, Registry officials and official delegations, dealing tactfully with officials and visitors and using discretion, initiative, and judgment in planning and scheduling routes. - Facilitate the departure of Members of the Court, Registry officials and official delegations at the airport, accompanying them through security checks and passport control and to the VIP lounge, and, upon arrival, assisting them through the luggage hall and passport control; as necessary. - Assist Court officials in obtaining badges and vehicle permits from the Schiphol badge centre. - Organize official travel within the Netherlands for Members of the Court and Registry officials, co-ordinating with protocol and police departments as required. - Oversee the daily inspection and maintenance of the Court’s official cars; act as contact person for matters of vehicle maintenance; take appropriate measures in the event of damage or an accident. - Administer the use of the Court’s official cars, including by authorizing requests submitted to this effect and maintaining accurate records of the use and fuel consumption of Court vehicles.

Ceremonial duties and Court meetings - Perform the functions of usher or assign a team member as usher during public sittings of the Court and official visits. - Prepare rooms for the public meetings of the Court according to seating plans provided by the Information Department; prepare rooms for the parties’ delegations; secure and clear rooms after meetings. - Supervise the preparation of the robing room; ensure robes and jabots for Members of the Court and the Registrar are stored safely and arrange for laundering of robes. - Ensure the provision of catering (coffee, tea and water) for official meetings of the Court.

Other general assistance duties - Perform any other duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of driving rules and regulations. 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.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Planning and 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.

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 the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

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.

Technological awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job - Specific Qualification

A valid driving licence (type B or above) and a safe driving record are required.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in administrative and general office support and driving is required.

Experience in drafting formal reports, instructions and Standard Operating Procedures is required.

Experience using an ERP is desirable.

Experience managing a team is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the official and working languages of the Court. A good command of one of these languages and working knowledge of the other is required. Knowledge of other official languages of the United Nations or Dutch is an asset.

Assessment

The assessment of qualified candidates will include written tests and a competency and/or knowledge-based interview.

Special Notice

The Court is an equal opportunity employer and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons with disabilities, to apply to become a staff member.

This post is subject to local recruitment pursuant to United Nations Staff Rule 4.4. All staff in the General Service and related categories are in principle recruited in the country or within commuting distance of the seat of the Court, irrespective of their nationality and of the length of time they may have been in the country. A staff member subject to local recruitment is not eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.

Candidates living outside the Netherlands or beyond commuting distance of the seat of the Court may apply for the position but will be regarded as local applicants and be subject to the same conditions. Candidates meeting the requirements of the position may be invited for tests and interview remotely or at the seat of the Court in The Hague. In the latter case, those candidates will be required to cover their own travel, accommodation and subsistence costs.

If the selected candidate is a staff member from an organization applying the United Nations Common System of Salaries and Allowances, the provisions of the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan shall apply.

The selected candidate may be subject to security clearance, including verification of the information provided and a criminal record check. All candidates should be able to submit an electronic copy of their passport, recent performance appraisal reports, and all diplomas listed on their profile when requested.

The Registrar reserves the right not to appoint any candidate to the post, or to appoint one at a lower level or on the basis of a modified job description.

Applications that are found by the Court to meet the above criteria may be added to a reserve list in case a similar vacancy arises in the future.

United Nations Considerations

In accordance with the ICJ Staff Regulations and Rules, 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 ICJ 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.

Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Applicants are urged to carefully follow 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 based on the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable 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 in Inspira will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

ICJ does NOT charge any fees or request money from candidates at any stage of the recruitment process, nor does it concern itself with bank account details of applicants. Requests of this nature allegedly made on behalf of ICJ are fraudulent and should be disregarded.