Administrative Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located in the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), specifically at the Regional Hub for East and Southern Africa in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The OHCHR is dedicated to promoting and protecting human rights globally, ensuring that all individuals can enjoy their rights and freedoms. The organization operates in various countries and is committed to upholding international human rights standards. The OHCHR works with governments, civil society, and other stakeholders to address human rights violations and promote accountability. It employs a diverse workforce and aims to create an inclusive environment that respects and values diversity.

Job Overview:
The Administrative Officer plays a crucial role in the effective management of human resources, budget, finance, and general administration within the OHCHR's Regional Hub. This position requires a proactive approach to coordinating human resource activities such as recruitment, onboarding, performance appraisal, and staff well-being. The Administrative Officer will also lead the implementation of the work programme, ensuring that financial resources are utilized efficiently and in accordance with the Programme Budget. The role involves overseeing procurement processes, managing office space requirements, and ensuring the maintenance of office technology. The Administrative Officer will provide guidance and leadership to junior staff and will be responsible for ensuring compliance with UN policies and procedures in all administrative matters.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Administrative Officer will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including but not limited to: coordinating human resource activities such as recruitment, onboarding, and performance appraisal; managing financial resources and ensuring compliance with the Programme Budget; leading the implementation of budget reporting systems; overseeing procurement processes and vendor contracts; ensuring the adequacy of office space and technology needs; providing guidance on financial administration and management information issues; supervising junior staff; and performing other related work as required. The role requires a strong understanding of UN administrative rules and regulations, as well as the ability to conduct independent research and analysis to support decision-making processes.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong knowledge of administrative, budgetary, financial, and human resources policies and procedures. The ability to apply UN administrative rules and regulations in various work situations is essential. Candidates should demonstrate conceptual, analytical, and evaluative skills, as well as the ability to identify issues and formulate recommendations. Professionalism, accountability, and client orientation are key competencies required for this position. The ideal candidate should also be able to work efficiently under pressure and manage multiple priorities effectively.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business or public administration, finance, accounting, law, or a related area is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to perform the duties of the Administrative Officer effectively.

Experience:
A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in administration, finance, accounting, human resources management, or a related field is required. Candidates must have experience in providing administrative and HR advisory support to managers and staff, as well as experience in managing budgets. Experience in implementing administrative and/or financial policies within the United Nations Secretariat or similar international organizations is desirable. Familiarity with Umoja or comparable enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems is also advantageous. Additionally, two years or more of experience in data analytics or a related field is considered a plus.

Languages:
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, proficiency in English is required, with a minimum level of proficiency at UN Level III for reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Knowledge of French is considered an asset but is not mandatory for this position. Candidates should refer to the UN Language Framework for detailed language proficiency requirements.

Additional Notes:
This position is categorized under the National Professional Officer category, meaning candidates must be of the nationality of Ethiopia. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. The recruitment process will not involve any fees at any stage, and the United Nations does not require information regarding applicants' bank accounts. The evaluation of candidates will include an assessment exercise followed by a competency-based interview. Candidates under serious consideration will undergo reference checks to verify the information provided in their applications.