Support Services Senior Assistant

Contract

This is a LICA-5 contract. This kind of contract is known as Local Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally only for nationals. It's an external contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about LICA-5 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organisations. With over 6,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it. By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

Background: AUMCO

The Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO) was set up in August 2019 as a part of the UNOPS Europe & Central Asia Region (ECR). Specifically, AUMCO aims to enable achievement of Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement through global programmes and tailored interventions in the Balkans, South Caucasus, and Central Asia, focused on:

• Infrastructure
• Procurement
• Project Management (full service, back on track)
• HR and Transactional Services
• Grant Management
• Technical and Advisory Services

Background: Project

UNOPS, through ECR AUMCO, is partnering with the Government of Albania and the European Union, as well as with the UN system, to facilitate the post-earthquake rehabilitation and reconstruction of a large number of key cultural heritage sites, museums, and cultural hubs and to promote tourism and economic development of the sites.

On 26 November 2019, Albania was hit by its most deadly earthquake in a century. The earthquake measured 6.4 on the Richter scale and caused significant casualties and property damage, resulting in 51 deaths, over 1000 injured, and nearly 14,000 people displaced. To measure and assess the economic damage, a Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) was conducted, estimating the total economic losses at nearly EUR 1Billion.

The PDNA documented the destruction of public and private infrastructure. Of particular concern was the destruction of cultural heritage monuments and property, as 53 cultural heritage properties were significantly damaged by the earthquake. This project seeks to remediate the effect of the earthquake on Albania’s cultural heritage through the rehabilitation of monuments, as well as contribute to Albania’s socio-economic recovery through the construction and upgrade of these sites. It will be important also to support improvements in the capacity of institutions responsible for the management of these cultural monuments and sites to better accommodate tourism. A final outcome of the project is the effective communication of project results to the wider public and developing and implementing an advocacy platform resulting in better recognition of the important role of culture in the social and economic well-being of Albanian citizens.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Support Services Manager, the Support - Senior Assistant will be responsible for provision of technical and administrative assistance, including processing of financial data, to the implementation of all Project related activities

The Senior Assistant will undertake the following activities/responsibilities:

Administration:

• Support day to day general administrative activities covering expense claims, premises maintenance, transport and logistics, security issues and ensure safety of equipment and property;
• Assist to summarize and/or highlight information for general administrative matters and make research and compile material for briefing and presentations on administrative matters;
• Support, on an as needed basis, the procurement activities including participating in bid opening boards, , market research.
• Act as UNOPS Albania Travel Focal Point, prepare travel authorization forms, calculate the travel costs, and liaise with approved travel agent in obtaining tickets, security clearance and ensuring necessary logistics’ arrangements have been made;
• Draft meeting minutes, correspondence, reports, evaluation and justification, as required on general administrative and specialized task that may be of confidential nature;
• Assist in developing effective systems and procedures to improve and streamline work and communication flow within the team to meet the business requirements;
• Assist in maintaining and repair of office equipment and other properties;

Finance:

• With guidelines from the Support Services Manager and in cooperation with the Project team, provide support in technical and administrative monitoring, including review of financial data, of the implementation of the selected projects and concluded grant agreements
• Provide assistance in collection and preparation of documentation related to processing of financial transactions related to project activities. Collection of evidence for project related payments and liabilities, support the facilitation of VAT exemption and preparation of documentation for payment installment /processing
• Maintain archive related to the Project financial activities, as per agreement with the line manager and in line with the UNOPS requirements

• Contribute to identification and assessment of financial and operational risks and assist in implementation of mitigation measures in accordance with the Risk Management Strategy

• Contribute to identification and sharing of the Administration related lessons learned and best practices

• Contribute to the successful administrative and financial closure of project contracts
• Perform other duties as may be reasonably required and in line with the incumbent’s scope of services above.

Logistics:

• Act as an alternate focal point for Assets management processes: Assets verification, Inventory, depreciations
• Process tax exemption requests for imported goods by the programme and its contractors;
• Arrange customs clearance of imported supplies, materials, equipment and/or vehicles
• Serve as point of contact for customers on any Logistics related issues
• Responsible for keeping appropriate documentation and logs to support all planned finalized orders

Education/Experience/Language requirements

• Secondary school required, Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics or Business Administration would be an advantage;
• Stock control and a good knowledge of hygiene, housekeeping, and safety standards
• Applicants must possess exceptional IT skills
• Fluency in oral and written English, Albanian

Work Experience

• A minimum of 5 years administrative and finance experience, preferably in the United Nations system or International organizations;
• A Minimum 2 years of experience in Assets management, inventory controls is required.
• Work record in Travel management, international shipment and customs relation is an asset.
• Understanding of UN/UNOPS Financial and Administrative Rules and Regulations is an asset.
• Technical diploma/certification in Finance is highly desirable
• Technical diploma/certification in Logistics is an asset

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Regular, Local Individual Contract Agreement (LICA)

Contract level: ICS-5 / LICA-5

Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.