Staff Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located in the Office of Administration of Justice (OAJ) within the Registry of the United Nations Appeals Tribunal (UNAT) in New York. The OAJ is an independent office responsible for coordinating the formal components of the UN's internal justice system. It is led by an director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Executive Director appointed by the Secretary-General, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a fair and effective justice system within the UN framework.

Job Overview:
The Staff Assistant role involves a comprehensive range of office management and administrative support functions. The individual will provide direct assistance to senior officers or managers overseeing significant programs, such as branches or divisions. Key responsibilities include managing travel arrangements for UNAT Judges, maintaining communication with other offices and clients, ensuring efficient workflow, and handling confidential information. The role also encompasses preparing and processing various documents, coordinating service-wide activities, and maintaining internal databases. The Staff Assistant will be expected to demonstrate professionalism, effective communication, and organizational skills while supporting the overall mission of the UNAT.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Staff Assistant will perform a variety of duties including: managing office functions and administrative support; assisting with travel arrangements for UNAT Judges; maintaining liaison with other offices; ensuring smooth workflow; preparing and processing confidential documents; proofing and formatting judgments and orders; coordinating meetings and special projects; drafting responses to correspondence; updating internal databases; carrying out quality control for outgoing documents; assisting in preparing presentation materials; maintaining calendars and schedules; and performing various administrative duties such as leave recording and office supply orders. The role may also involve providing specialized support in areas such as technology and desktop publishing, as well as maintaining both paper and electronic files.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a high school diploma or equivalent. A technical or vocational certificate in administrative services, human resources, personnel management, or paralegal services is desirable. Additionally, candidates should have a minimum of five years of experience in administrative or legal support, with a reduction to three years for those holding a first-level university degree or higher. Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and MS Teams/Sharepoint is required, while experience with Adobe Pro and ERP systems related to travel administration is desirable.

Educational Background:
A high school diploma or equivalent is required for this position. Candidates with a technical or vocational certificate in relevant fields such as administrative services or human resources are preferred. A first-level university degree or higher can reduce the required work experience, indicating a preference for candidates with higher educational qualifications.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant experience in administrative support, legal support, or related fields. Candidates with a first-level university degree or higher may qualify with three years of experience. Familiarity with office management systems and tools is essential, as is experience in handling administrative tasks in a professional environment.

Languages:
English is the mandatory working language for this position, with a required proficiency level of UN Level III in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Additionally, knowledge of either Spanish, French, Arabic, Russian, or Chinese (Mandarin) is desirable, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level II in these languages.

Additional Notes:
This is a temporary job opening (TJO) available until December 31, 2026, with the possibility of extension based on funding availability. The position may be filled on a temporary basis, and candidates should be aware that this role does not guarantee future employment. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance and diversity in its workforce, encouraging female candidates to apply. The recruitment process is free of charge, and the UN does not request any fees from applicants.