Staff Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is an organization established to promote economic and social development in Africa. Its mission is to deliver ideas and actions for an empowered and transformed Africa, guided by the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 206

• The ECA operates with a focus on five strategic directions: enhancing its role as a premier knowledge institution, developing macroeconomic policies for economic diversification, designing innovative financing models, addressing regional challenges, and advocating for Africa's position in global governance. The ECA has a significant presence across the continent, working in various countries to implement its mission and objectives.

Job Overview:
The Staff Assistant position is located in the Sub Regional Office for Southern Africa (SRO/SA) in Lusaka, Zambia. The incumbent will manage the daily operations of the Director's office, ensuring effective communication and flow of information. This role involves providing secretarial and administrative support, assisting in the management of priorities and workflows, and coordinating various activities to ensure timely delivery of products. The Staff Assistant will also be responsible for compiling and analyzing data, serving as a communication link between the Director and senior staff, and undertaking representational duties. The position requires a proactive approach to time management and scheduling, as well as the ability to handle complex information requests and inquiries. The Staff Assistant will support the Director in preparing for meetings and presentations, establish administrative procedures, and organize official events, among other responsibilities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Staff Assistant will have a wide range of duties, including: assisting in the overall administration of the department, providing substantive and administrative support, coordinating and monitoring activities, compiling and analyzing data, serving as a communications link, managing time and scheduling for the Director, undertaking representational duties, screening and prioritizing correspondence, researching and summarizing background materials, handling complex information requests, supporting the Director in presentations, establishing administrative procedures, coordinating work with Programme Assistants, organizing official receptions and meetings, preparing and processing confidential information, managing various administrative duties, exercising quality control over outgoing documents, producing complex documents and reports, assisting with data collection and analysis, and arranging the Director's travel.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a high school diploma or equivalent. A diploma or first-level degree in business administration, finance, economics, or related fields is desirable. The position requires a minimum of seven years of experience in general office support or a related area, with experience in larger office settings dealing with various issues. Candidates with a first-level university degree or higher may qualify with five years of experience. Experience in data analytics or a related area is desirable, as is experience working within the UN System or similar international organizations.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a high school diploma or equivalent as a minimum requirement. A diploma or first-level degree in business administration, finance, economics, or related fields is considered desirable and may enhance a candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven years of relevant experience in general office support or a related area. This experience should ideally be gained in a larger office setting where the candidate has dealt with a variety of issues and has become familiar with modern office practices, procedures, and equipment. For candidates with a first-level university degree or higher, the minimum experience requirement is reduced to five years. Additionally, at least one year of experience in data analytics or a related area is desirable, along with experience working within the UN System or similar international organizations.

Languages:
The working languages of the United Nations Secretariat are English and French. For this position, proficiency in English is required, while proficiency in French is considered desirable. Candidates must meet the minimum required level for each skill in these languages according to the UN Language Framework, which includes reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills.

Additional Notes:
This position is subject to local recruitment, meaning that candidates must be recruited within the country or within commuting distance of the office. Staff members recruited locally are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusive to international recruitment. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. The organization emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in its workforce and provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request. The evaluation process for candidates may include assessments and competency-based interviews. All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted.