SENIOR STAFF 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 1,833 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

ECA's mission is to deliver ideas into actions for an empowered and transformed Africa, informed by the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063. The mission is guided by ECA's five strategic directions which are: advancing ECA's position as a premier knowledge institution that produces policy-relevant knowledge in support of effective and transformative policy-making in Africa; developing macroeconomic and structural policy options to accelerate economic diversification and job creation; designing and implementing innovative financing models for infrastructure, and for human, physical and social assets for a transforming Africa; contributing solutions to regional and transboundary challenges, with a focus on peace security and social inclusion as an important development nexus; advocating Africa's position at the global level and developing regional responses as a contribution to global governance issues. This position is located in the Office of the Executive Secretary (OES) at the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). The incumbent provides direct support to the Executive Secretary, under the guidance of the Chief of Staff.

Responsibilities

Within the limits of delegated authority, the Senior Staff Assistant will be responsible for the following duties: • Assist the Personal Assistant and the Special Assistant to the Executive Secretary in the overall administration of the programme and activities of the Executive Secretary, i.e., provides substantive and administrative support in managing priorities and workflow of the Executive Secretary; coordinates and monitor multiple and diverse activities and work processes to ensure that management directives and decisions are properly carried out and products delivered in a timely manner. • Compiles and analyses basic data from a variety of sources (including Umoja), summarizing and presenting conclusions for review by the manager. • Supports the Personal Assistant and Special Assistant to keep others informed by conveying directives, reports, status updates, and other relevant information; brings sensitive and urgent matters to the attention of the appropriate senior official. • Assists in the development of the Executive Secretary’s social media content, including transcribing and editing of content. • Takes full responsibility for time management and scheduling on behalf of the Executive Secretary with appropriate consultation as required with the Personal Assistant; effectively prioritizes and resolves related conflicts and competing demands. • Undertakes representational duties on behalf of the manager, including serving as the first point of contact and liaison with senior officials internally and externally. • Screens and prioritizes all incoming correspondence; compiles relevant background documents and references; identifies issues requiring attention and refers others to relevant officers for appropriate disposition; monitors and follows up on actions to be taken. • Researches, compiles, and summarizes background materials for use in preparation of reports, briefs, speeches, etc; Scan reports from specialized agencies, as well as newspapers, magazines, periodicals, and other information sources to identify articles of interest to the manager. • Independently handles a wide range of complex information requests and inquiries (e.g. answer requests requiring file or other research); responds, or drafts responses, to a diverse range of correspondence and other communications. • Supports the manager in presentations to intergovernmental bodies and other meetings, researching issues, preparing briefing notes, slides, and subject files, gathering relevant documentation, etc. • Establishes/improves administrative procedures and systems to ensure the smooth functioning of the department, including filing (paper and electronic) systems. • Oversees work of office support staff; establishes priorities and deadlines, assigns work, and reviews outputs upon completion; trains office support staff in administrative, protocol, and other relevant procedures • Organizes official receptions, meetings, etc., handling all necessary arrangements (e.g. room reservations, guest/participant lists, invitations, catering, seating arrangements, background documentation, special equipment, etc.). • Prepares, processes, and classifies confidential information. • Manages the recording and filing of all briefing notes, mission reports, background documents, speeches, and talking points of the Executive Secretary. • Handles a wide range of administrative duties/processes (e.g. leave and attendance records, timesheets, travel arrangements, visa applications, expense statements, telecommunications charges, equipment purchase, service and supply requisitions, conference room bookings, etc.). • Exercises quality control function for all outgoing documents; proofreads and edits texts for adherence to format, grammar, punctuation, and style. • Uses standard word processing package to produce a wide variety of large, complex documents and reports. • Manages, updates, and further develops internal databases; updates website; generates a variety of standard and non-standard statistical and other reports from various databases. • 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.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of general office and administrative support including administrative policies, processes, and procedures. The ability to perform analysis, modeling, and interpretation of data in support of decision-making. Shows pride in work and 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. • 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

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in general office support or related areas is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to five (5) for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. Experience in working with various social media platforms, writing social media posts, and producing media-related content is required. Experience working for senior officials in an international organization is desirable. Experience involving contact with diplomatic personnel is desirable

Languages

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

Assessment

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

Special Notice

This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. Internal Applicants – When completing the Candidate Profile form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience, and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving a 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. 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. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgment within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Contact Us" link.

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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.