Administrative Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located in the United Nations Office for Sustainable Development (UNOSD), which is a project office of the Division for Sustainable Development Goals (DSDG) within the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). The DSDG acts as the Secretariat for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), providing substantive support and capacity-building for various thematic issues related to sustainable development. The UNOSD plays a crucial role in evaluating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and engages in advocacy and outreach activities related to the SDGs. The organization is committed to promoting sustainable development globally and operates in various countries, focusing on issues such as water, energy, climate, and urbanization. For more information, you can visit the DSDG website at https://sdgs.un.org/ and the UNOSD website at https://unosd.un.org/.

Job Overview:
The Administrative Assistant will report directly to the Head of Office at UNOSD and will be responsible for a wide range of administrative and office support functions. The role requires the individual to provide direct assistance to the Head of Office, monitor expenditures and budget tables, and support senior staff with budget reviews. The Administrative Assistant will also be involved in human resource activities, ensuring compliance with regulations and procedures, and maintaining administrative data and records. The position demands a proactive approach to managing administrative tasks, including travel arrangements, meeting coordination, and maintaining organizational files. The successful candidate will need to work collaboratively with various service units and internal team members, ensuring effective communication and coordination within the office and with external stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Administrative Assistant include performing a wide range of office support functions, monitoring the status of expenditures and allotments, assisting in budget preparation and revisions, and maintaining administrative records. The individual will initiate and follow up on human resource activities, manage travel arrangements for staff, and perform general administrative tasks such as processing requisitions and contracts. Additionally, the Administrative Assistant will maintain up-to-date files and databases, coordinate with service units, and perform other related administrative duties as required. This includes monitoring accounts and payments to vendors, identifying office technology needs, and organizing administrative arrangements for seminars and conferences.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a high school diploma or equivalent. A minimum of five years of experience in administrative services, finance, accounting, audit, human resources, or project coordination is required. Experience in procurement, vendor payments, and budget administration is essential. Proficiency in using integrated information management systems, such as SAP or Umoja, is necessary, along with experience in Microsoft Office for administrative tasks. The candidate should have experience supporting high-level officials and operational activities related to sustainable development within the UN or similar organizations.

Educational Background:
A high school diploma or equivalent is required for this position. There are no specific job-related qualifications mentioned beyond the educational requirement, but relevant experience in administrative roles is crucial.

Experience:
At least five years of relevant experience in administrative services, finance, accounting, audit, human resources, or project coordination is required. The candidate should have experience in procurement processes, requisitioning goods and services, and managing vendor payments. Familiarity with integrated information management systems, such as SAP or Umoja, is essential for performing program or project administration tasks. Experience in supporting high-level officials and operational activities related to sustainable development is desirable.

Languages:
The working languages of the United Nations Secretariat are English and French. For this position, proficiency in English and Korean is required. Candidates must demonstrate a minimum level of proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking in both languages according to the UN Language Framework.

Additional Notes:
This job opening refers to a project-funded position with a finite duration, initially for one year. The appointment is subject to the availability of the post or funds and budgetary approval. External candidates will receive a fixed-term appointment limited to the project duration. The position is subject to local recruitment, meaning candidates must be recruited within the country or commuting distance of the office. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. The organization promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment and does not charge any fees during the recruitment process.