Associate Administrative Officer (Fixed-Term Limited)

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is an organization established by the UN General Assembly with the mission to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. UN-Habitat serves as the focal point for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system, collaborating with various partners to build inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and communities. The organization aims to leverage urbanization as a transformative force to reduce inequality, discrimination, and poverty, thereby enhancing the quality of life for individuals and communities. UN-Habitat operates in multiple countries, focusing on urban development and human settlement issues.

Job Overview:
The Associate Administrative Officer position is located within the UN-Habitat Syria Country Programme office in Damascus. This role encompasses various sub-functional specialties, including human resource administration, planning, programming/budgeting, and the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of business functions. The individual in this position will report directly to the Regional Programme Management Officer, Administration, and the Head of the Syria Country Programme. The expectations for this role include effectively managing human resources, overseeing budget and finance operations, leading procurement processes, and ensuring general administrative functions are carried out efficiently. The Associate Administrative Officer will play a crucial role in coordinating actions related to human resource activities, budget proposals, financial reporting, and procurement plans, all while adhering to UN policies and regulations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Associate Administrative Officer include:

• Human Resources Management: Coordinating human resource activities such as recruitment, placement, promotion, performance appraisal, job classification reviews, and staff training, ensuring compliance with UN rules and procedures.
• Budget and Finance: Reviewing and analyzing data for cost estimates and budget proposals, issuing allotments for projects, preparing financial reports for donors, and guiding substantive staff in grant proposals and agreements.
• Procurement: Leading the preparation and implementation of procurement plans, monitoring procurement requests, and ensuring compliance with financial resources and delivery dates.
• General Administration: Assisting senior management in liaising with host country authorities, providing managerial and financial information, supervising general service staff, managing office property, and contributing to data collection and analysis for decision-making.
• Additional responsibilities include overseeing departmental space requirements, identifying office technology needs, and performing other related work as required.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Associate Administrative Officer position include a strong understanding of administrative, budgetary, financial, and human resources policies and procedures. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to apply UN administrative rules and regulations, possess analytical and evaluative skills for independent research, and have the capability to identify issues and formulate recommendations. Professionalism, planning and organizing skills, and client orientation are essential competencies for this role. The candidate should also exhibit a commitment to gender perspectives and equal participation in all areas of work.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business or public administration, finance, accounting, law, or a related area. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Successful completion of degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics, or data science is desirable. Additionally, a Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supplies (CIPS) Level 4 Diploma (or equivalent) is also considered desirable for this position.

Experience:
A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in administration, finance, accounting, human resources management, or a related field is required. Candidates should have experience with an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system such as UMOJA or a similar system. Experience within the United Nations system or a similar international organization is desirable, as is experience in procurement, contract management, and administration. Furthermore, one year or more of experience in data analytics or a related area is also desirable.

Languages:
For this position, proficiency in English and Arabic is required, with both languages being the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Candidates must demonstrate a minimum proficiency level of UN Level II in reading, writing, listening, and speaking for both languages. Knowledge of French is an additional asset but not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This is a Fixed Term Limited post, with an initial appointment period of one year, subject to extension based on funding availability. The position is open exclusively to nationals of Syria, and candidates must be recruited within the country or within commuting distance of the office. If no suitable local candidate is found, Syrian nationals residing elsewhere may be considered, with the understanding that they will bear any costs related to travel and relocation to Syria if offered employment. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance in its workforce and strongly encourages female candidates to apply. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and may be assigned to various functions in accordance with established rules and procedures.