Travel Support Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women is an organization dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. Established as part of the United Nations, it aims to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, ensuring their rights and participation in development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. UN Women has been operational in Afghanistan for two decades, focusing on the unique challenges faced by Afghan women and girls amidst ongoing conflict and humanitarian crises. The organization operates through its main office in Kabul and five sub-offices in the provinces of Balkh, Bamyan, Herat, Kandahar, and Nangarhar. UN Women Afghanistan's programming is guided by a thorough analysis of the political, economic, and humanitarian landscape, addressing the needs of women and girls while promoting integrated programming and localization, women's movement building, policy and research, economic resilience, and humanitarian response coordination.

Job Overview:
The Travel Support Assistant plays a crucial role in facilitating the preparations and implementation of field activities and events for UN Women in Afghanistan. This position requires close collaboration with program teams to ensure that all logistical aspects of events, assessments, and missions are effectively managed. The assistant will be responsible for organizing meetings, preparing necessary materials for communication and information purposes, and reporting on daily activity progress. The role also involves supporting procurement processes, ensuring compliance with organizational standards, and managing local travel arrangements. The Travel Support Assistant will work under the direct supervision of the Procurement and Administration Specialist, maintaining daily contact with program managers and functional units within the Country Office. This position is vital for ensuring that UN Women’s programs are executed smoothly and efficiently, contributing to the overall mission of empowering Afghan women and girls.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Travel Support Assistant will have a diverse set of responsibilities, including but not limited to: closely collaborating with program teams to facilitate field activities and events; ensuring proper scheduling and organization of meetings; preparing on-the-ground logistics for program implementation; supporting the production of informational materials such as reports and brochures; collecting data for reporting purposes; participating in relevant training and workshops; assisting in the preparation of procurement plans; reviewing procurement requests for compliance; initiating procurement procedures for office and project supplies; performing buyer roles in Quantum, including preparing and closing Purchase Orders (POs) and contracts; organizing local travel arrangements, including ticket purchases and Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) calculations; monitoring and ordering office supplies; ensuring compliance with sustainability policies; and fulfilling any additional duties as requested.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Travel Support Assistant position should possess a strong understanding of procurement processes and administrative support functions. They should demonstrate awareness and sensitivity regarding gender issues, accountability, creative problem-solving skills, effective communication abilities, and a commitment to inclusive collaboration. The ideal candidate will have experience in stakeholder engagement and the ability to lead by example in a challenging environment.

Educational Background:
A minimum of a high school diploma is required for the Travel Support Assistant position. However, a higher educational qualification in a relevant field such as business administration, logistics, or social sciences is preferred. Additional training or certifications in procurement or project management would be advantageous.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 1-2 years of relevant experience in administrative support, procurement, or logistics, preferably within a humanitarian or development context. Experience working with international organizations or NGOs, particularly in challenging environments, is highly desirable. Familiarity with UN systems and procedures would be an asset.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, as it is the working language of UN Women. Knowledge of local languages such as Dari or Pashto would be considered an advantage, as it would facilitate communication with local stakeholders and communities.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Kabul, Afghanistan, and requires a mature level of cultural awareness and the ability to work in potentially hazardous conditions. Flexibility and a commitment to living and working in a challenging environment are essential. The role may involve physical hardship and limited comfort. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service can be found on the UNV website, and candidates are encouraged to review the entitlements at the duty station.