Job Opening number
13-ADM-ECA-32341-R-ADDIS ABABA (X)

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

Organizational Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the African Minerals Development Center, Special Initiatives Division (AMDC/SID) of the United Nations Economic Commission of Africa, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Administrative Assistant will report to the Director of AMDC.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Administrative Assistant will be responsible for the following duties:

Human Resources Management

Coordinates various actions related to the administration of the unit’s human resource activities, e.g., recruitment, placement, promotion, relocation, performance appraisal, job classification reviews, separation of staff members, training etc., ensuring consistency in the application of UN rules and procedures. Liaises with central administration/executive services as required.

Oversees the maintenance of vacancy announcement files and keeps track of status of vacancy announcements.

Reviews and processes personnel actions through IMIS.

Advises staff on visa matters.

Provides advice and answers general queries on classification procedures and processes.

Provides information and advice to staff/consultants with respect to conditions of service, duties and responsibilities, and privileges and entitlements under the Staff Rules and Regulations.

Monitors IMIS staffing tables for a variety of human resource activities, e.g., appointments, retirement, expiration of appointments, reassignments, transfer and movement of staff.

Budget and Finance

Provides expert assistance in the preparation and development of the unit’s work programme and budget.

Assists in monitoring budget/work programme with respect to various budgets, trust funds, grant and other funds on a regular basis, and suggests reallocation of resources and implements the reallocations as necessary.

Collects data from relevant databases and prepares customized financial reports.

Provides assistance in the review, and preparation of the medium-term plan and its revisions.

Reviews, analyses and assists in the finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of staff and non-staff requirements from departments/offices at headquarters and in the field, including programmatic aspects; ensures compliance with the medium-term plan and other legislative mandates.

Assists managers in the elaboration of resource requirements for budget submissions.

Monitors budget implementation/expenditures and recommends reallocation of funds as necessary.

Reviews requisitions for goods and services to ensure (a) correct objects of expenditure have been charged, and (b) availability of funds.

Monitors extra-budgetary resources, including review of agreements and cost plans, ensuring compliance with regulations and rules and established policies and procedures.

Assists in the preparation of budget performance submissions.

Assists in finalization of budget performance reports, analyzing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures.

General Administration

Provides guidance, training and daily supervision to other general service staff in the area of responsibility.

Provides assistance in drafting of host country agreements, budget agreements, or contributions for grants or other activities as appropriate.

Identifies and resolves diverse issues/problems as they arise, and determines appropriate actions.

Coordinates extensively with service units and liaises frequently with internal team members both at Headquarters and in the field.

Performs other related administrative duties, as required (e.g., operational travel programme, monitoring accounts and payment to vendors and individual contractors for services, physical space planning and the identification of office technology needs and

maintenance of equipment, software and systems, organize and coordinate seminars, conferences and translations).

Contract Administration

Assists with day-to-day administration of contracts between the UN and external contractors for outsourced services.

Audits the contractors’ invoices against the goods and services provided by the contractor and approved by the UN.

Processes the payment of contractors’ invoices and monitor payments.

Prepares and processes all UN forms and permissions for contractual and work Unit, Section or Service UN staff, including: UN grounds passes, property passes, UN parking permits, swipe-card access and door keys.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to perform a broad range of administrative functions, e.g., budget/work programme, human resources, database management, etc. Ability to apply knowledge of various United Nations administrative, financial and human resources rules and regulations in work situations.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.

Education

High 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 from Headquarters.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in administrative services, finance, accounting, audit, human resources or related area is required.

Languages

English 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 an advantage.

Assessment Method

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

Special Notice

Extension of the appointment is subject to Extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds.

Recruitment for this position is done on a local basis, whether or not the candidate is a resident of the duty station. External candidates will be considered only when no suitable internal candidate from the duty station is identified. The candidate is responsible for any travel expenses incurred in order to take-up the appointment. Passing the Administrative Assessment Support Test (ASAT) is a prerequisite for recruitment consideration in the General Service category in the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. Candidates who are short-listed to be considered for this position will be contacted by the recruiter to be scheduled to sit for the ASAT at a later date.

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.

All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided.

United Nations Considerations

The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations – Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, TRAINING OR ANY OTHER FEES). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON BANK ACCOUNTS.