UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.
Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.
For every child, COMMITMENT
The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.
How can you make a difference?
Under the supervision and guidance of the supervisor, the Administrative Assistant is responsible for executing a broad variety of routine tasks and some specialized for the respective section, requiring thorough knowledge of UNICEF administrative procedures, processes and policies.
Procurement
Guides managers in the process of PCA/SSAs in line with the policies and guidance issued by FRG, supply division and DHR.
Facilitates the processing of contracts for consultants and external partners that provide a service to the section. This includes preparing and filing documents, completing necessary forms and templates, uploading TOR’s in VISION, and making necessary logistical arrangements.
Maintains up-to-date vendor lists, partners, and consultant rosters.
Communications & Workflow
Facilitates the communications and workflow of the organizational unit to enhance the efficiency and timeliness of operations and outputs.
Manages incoming and outgoing correspondence, e-mails and telephone calls.
Communicates routine and some non-routine information pertaining to the work of the team.
Establishes and maintains the office filing and reference systems, both traditional and digital; and ensures the inter/intra-net websites are up to date and accurate.
Calendar/Meetings/Correspondence Management
Maintains office calendar and arranges meetings
Takes minutes of meetings, ensuring accuracy, attention to detail and coherence.
Events/Logistics
Supports capacity development activities and conferences by making the logistical arrangements, through engaging with facilitators, caterers and hosts.
Arranges times through liaising with participants over availability.
Liaises with budget focal points and section over costs and needs.
Prepares background materials for participants and uploads cleared materials on the intranet.
Prepares and maintains agendas on meetings and events related to the work group commitments.
Travel
Provides travel assistance to staff members in section for travel arrangements and entitlements based on the organization’s rules and policies. Liaises with relevant travel focal points to ensure that the organization obtains the best service and price for all travel.
Briefs/de-briefs staff members on issues relating to related administrative matters such as visas, security clearance, and documentation procedures.
Extracts, inputs, maintains, and verifies correctness of travel records in the organization’s travel system to ensure accurate transactions related to travel costs and staff travel.
Assists in the preparation of budgets on travel costs and maintain travel plan and budgetary control records.
Monitors travel certification and report back to the team.
Invoice Processing
Responsible for collecting invoices and filing documents for approval and, thereafter processing in VISION.
Uploads electronic files and verifies results to destination system.
Responds to client transaction status and other inquiries.
Supplies/Equipment
Supports management of administrative supplies, office equipment, and updating inventory of items.
Monitors and supervises adequate and appropriate use of supplies. Ensures that services and maintenance of premises are in accordance with organizational standards.
Arranges for the purchase and timely distribution of office supplies.
Attendance
Maintains and updates a system which monitors the absence of staff.
The scope of key results extends beyond small, discrete teams to impact support services of larger, more complex organizational structures. S/He supports the supervisor in the compilation and coordination of work products, ensuring deadlines are met and that established rules and procedures are followed. The work is standardized; yet the incumbent must apply a good knowledge of guidelines, to operationally support the Division/Office. Key performance indicators go beyond the timeliness and accuracy of work to include planning and organizing the work of the team.
Administrative Assistants at this level represent the supervisor in communications involving the exchange of non-routine information, coordinating and following up on deadlines as well as establishing and maintaining communications with staff across various divisions. Communications require tact and discretion. They may also provide guidance and direction to temporary or lower level staff
Skills
Training and experience using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other UNICEF software such as SharePoint; knowledge of integrated management information systems required.
Thorough knowledge of UNICEF administrative policies and procedures.
Organizational, planning and prioritizing skills and abilities.
Ability to deal patiently and tactfully with visitors.
High sense of confidentiality, initiative and good judgment.
Ability to work effectively with people of different national and cultural background.
Ability to work in a team environment to achieve common goals and to provide guidance to more junior support staff
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Education:
Completion of secondary education is required, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to the field of Business management; Financial management; Accounting and Public Finance.
Experience:
A minimum of 5 years of relevant administrative or clerical work experience is required.
