Driver

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 presence in over 190 countries, UNESCO aims to build peace in the minds of men and women. The organization operates through various field offices, including the Regional Office in Apia, Samoa, which focuses on the Pacific region. UNESCO is committed to fostering diversity and inclusion within its workforce, ensuring that its staff reflects the rich cultural tapestry of the world.

Job Overview:
The Driver position at UNESCO's Regional Office in Apia, Samoa, is crucial for ensuring the safe and reliable transportation of staff, officials, and visitors. The role requires a high level of discretion, integrity, and responsibility, as the incumbent will be responsible for driving official vehicles and ensuring that all driving services meet the highest standards. The Driver will also be expected to assist with basic visa and customs formalities for visitors, translate local language when necessary, and maintain the assigned vehicle in excellent condition. This includes keeping accurate vehicle logs, arranging for repairs, and ensuring that all necessary documents and supplies are available in the vehicle. The position also involves providing clerical support when not driving, which may include tasks such as photocopying, filing, and maintaining basic computer logs. The Driver will work under the supervision of the Administrative Officer and will coordinate with the administrative team to ensure smooth operations within the office.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Driver's primary responsibilities include:

• Driving UNESCO staff, officials, visitors, and authorized personnel using official vehicles.
• Ensuring the provision of reliable and safe driving services.
• Meeting official personnel and visitors at the airport and facilitating basic visa and customs formalities when required.
• Translating in the local language for the Director and/or official personnel using the vehicle when necessary.
• Driving vehicles on field trips as required.
• Ensuring cost-savings through proper day-to-day use of the assigned vehicle and maintaining accurate vehicle logs.
• Performing timely minor repairs, arranging for major repairs, and ensuring regular maintenance such as oil changes, tire checks, and cleaning.
• Providing inputs for vehicle maintenance plans and reports.
• Arranging for vehicle inspections and repairs at designated workshops. 1
• Ensuring the availability of required documents and supplies in the vehicle, including insurance, registration, and first aid kits. 1
• Reporting accidents accurately and in a timely manner. 1
• Providing basic clerical support, including delivering and collecting mail and documents. 1
• Performing other duties as assigned by the Director or Supervisor, including covering for other drivers during their absence.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires the following qualifications:

• Secondary education is required.
• A valid Samoan driver’s license class B, E is mandatory.
• Proven experience as a professional driver for at least 2 years in Apia.
• Knowledge of local driving rules and regulations is essential.
• Experience in transporting executive personnel for various companies is preferred.
• A safe driving history is required, and reference checks will be conducted prior to hiring.
• Experience in driving a variety of vehicles, including light passenger vehicles, sedans, and 4x4 SUVs, is necessary.
• Certification or training in defensive driving and personal safety is considered an advantage.
• Work experience as a driver in an international organization, embassy, or UN agency is also a plus.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a secondary education level. This educational background is essential to ensure that the Driver has the necessary foundational knowledge and skills to perform the duties associated with the position effectively.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 2 years of professional driving experience, particularly in Apia. This experience should include a proven track record of safe driving and familiarity with local driving regulations. Experience in transporting executive personnel and driving various types of vehicles is highly desirable.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is English, as it is the working language of UNESCO. Knowledge of the local language (Samoan) is highly advantageous, especially for translation purposes when interacting with local officials and visitors.

Additional Notes:
The contract for this position is a Service Contract at Level 2, with a duration of 1 year. The recruitment is open to both internal and external candidates. 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. All applications will be treated confidentially, and UNESCO does not charge any fees during the recruitment process. The organization is also a non-smoking entity.