Assistant to the Director

Job Posting Organization:
UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, was established in 1945 with the mission to contribute to peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security by promoting international collaboration through educational, scientific, and cultural reforms. With a workforce of over 2,000 employees, UNESCO operates in more than 190 countries, focusing on building peace in the minds of men and women. The organization is dedicated to fostering sustainable development through education, the sciences, culture, communication, and information.

Job Overview:
The position of Assistant to the Director at UNESCO-IICBA in Addis Ababa involves providing comprehensive administrative and operational support to the Director. This role is crucial for ensuring the effective implementation of various programs and activities within the Institute. The Assistant will work closely with program staff to facilitate smooth operations and will be responsible for managing the Director's schedule, travel logistics, and communications. The incumbent will also play a key role in organizing high-level meetings and maintaining important records and files. This position requires a proactive approach to problem-solving and the ability to handle sensitive information with discretion. The Assistant will be expected to contribute to the development of project proposals and support various administrative tasks related to staff identification and travel documentation.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Assistant to the Director will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including but not limited to: arranging and managing the Director's travel logistics, which involves organizing meetings, booking flights, obtaining visas, and preparing travel plans. The incumbent will maintain the Director's calendar, screen calls, and respond to queries with discretion. Additionally, the Assistant will manage communications and workflow within the Director's office, process and classify information, and handle sensitive documents. The role includes preparing various documents such as reports, minutes of meetings, and briefing materials for official trips. The Assistant will also assist in organizing high-level meetings, including drafting invitations and liaising with various stakeholders. Furthermore, the incumbent will provide administrative support to program staff, coordinate activities, and assist in the preparation of project proposals. Other responsibilities include maintaining confidential files, editing studies, and performing any additional duties assigned by the management of the Institute.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must have completed secondary, technical, or vocational education. A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in secretarial, administrative, or related tasks in an international environment is required. The ideal candidate should possess excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships, and be a team-oriented individual. Strong communication skills in both Amharic and English, along with excellent organizational and coordination abilities, are essential. The candidate should be capable of working effectively under tight deadlines and managing complex situations with flexibility. A sense of diplomacy, discretion, and professional integrity is crucial, as well as proficiency in IT skills including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes completed secondary, technical, or vocational education. Specialized training or certification in administration and/or office management or a related field is considered desirable.

Experience:
The position requires at least five years of relevant professional experience in secretarial, administrative, or related tasks, preferably within an international organization or the UN system. Experience working with senior management or high-level officials is also beneficial.

Languages:
Candidates must have excellent knowledge of Amharic and English, both oral and written. Knowledge of another official language of UNESCO, such as Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish, is considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
This position is a project appointment with a duration of one year, renewable based on performance and availability of funds. The role is open to both internal and external candidates. The approximate annual starting salary for this position is 18,481 USD, and benefits may include 30 days of annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, and a pension plan. UNESCO emphasizes the importance of diversity and encourages applications from candidates of various backgrounds, including those from under-represented Member States, minority groups, indigenous groups, and persons with disabilities. The organization maintains a zero-tolerance policy against harassment and is committed to achieving gender parity and equitable geographical distribution among its staff.