Posting Title: STAFF ASSISTANT, G6 (Temporary Job Opening)

Job Code Title: STAFF ASSISTANT

Department/Office: Office of the Special Coordinator on Improving the UNs Response to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

Duty Station: NEW YORK

Posting Period: 26 May 2023 – 29 June 2023

Job Opening Number: 23-Administration-SCIUNRSEA-210232-J-New York (X)

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Organisational Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the Office of the Special Coordinator on improving the United Nations response to sexual exploitation and abuse (OSCSEA). This Office supports the ongoing efforts of the Secretary-General and the leadership of United Nations offices, departments, funds and programmes, along with other Implementing Partners, to strengthen the response to sexual exploitation and abuse in peacekeeping, humanitarian, development and human rights sectors. The Administrative Assistant reports to the Under-Secretary-General through the Special Assistant/Political Affairs Officer. The post also provides general office and administrative support to other senior officers.

Responsibilities

Within limits of delegated authority, and under direct supervision of the Special Assistant to the Under Secretary-General, the Senior Staff Assistant (Personal Assistant) will be responsible for the following duties:

•  Acts as Personal Assistant to the Special Coordinator/Under Secretary-General for SEA.
•  Assists in the overall administration of the Office, i.e., provides substantive and administrative support in managing priorities and workflow of the Under Secretary-General and of the Office; coordinates and monitors 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 analyzes basic data from a variety of sources (including Umoja), summarizing and presenting conclusions for review by supervisor.
•  Keeps others informed by conveying reports, status updates and other relevant information; brings sensitive and urgent matters to the attention of the Under Secretary-General and the Special Assistant.
•  Takes full responsibility for time management and scheduling on behalf of Under Secretary-General with appropriate consultation with the Special Assistant as required; effectively prioritizes and resolves related conflicts and competing demands.
•  Screens and prioritizes all incoming correspondence Compiles relevant background documents and references; identifies issues requiring the attention of the Under Secretary-General or the Special Assistant and refers others to relevant officer 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.
•  Scans reports from specialized agencies, as well as newspapers, magazine, 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 Under Secretary-General, as well as other OSCSEA Team members 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 smooth functioning of the Office, including filing (paper and electronic) systems.
•  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.
•  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 for 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.
•  Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies

•  PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of general office and administrative support including administrative policies, processes and procedures. 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 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.
•  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.

EducationHigh school diploma or equivalent. Must have passed the United Nations Administrative Support Assessment Test (ASAT) at Headquarters or an equivalent locally-administered test at Offices Away.

Work ExperienceA minimum of several years of experience in general office support, administration, or related area is required. Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are required. Experience supporting a high-ranking, senior official, is desirable. Experience providing support in the areas of calendar management is desirable. Experience in planning and arranging travel for field visits to operational settings is desirable.

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

Special NoticeAppointment or assignment against this position is until 30 June 2024. Renewal is therefore subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. If the selected candidate isa staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. 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.

United Nations ConsiderationsAccording 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. 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 FeeTHE 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.

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