Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Office of the Chief of Mission Support (OCMS) of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel in Dakar, Senegal. The Administrative Assistant reports to the Administrative Officer of the OCMS.

Responsibilities

Within the delegated authority, the Administrative Assistant will be responsible for the following duties: Human Resources Management: Performs various actions related to the administration of the work unit’s human resource activities, e.g., recruitment, placement, promotion, relocation, performance appraisal, job classification reviews, separation of staff members, training etc., consistently applying UN rules, regulations, policies and procedures; Liaises with central administration/executive services as required; Maintains vacancy announcement files and updates track vacancy announcements; Prepares personnel actions through the UN’s current electronic tools, e.g. Umoja; Advises staff on visa matters; Provides advice and answers general queries on classification procedures and processes; Provides information and advice to staff/consultants with respect to conditions of service, duties and responsibilities, and privileges and entitlements under the Staff Rules and Regulations; Monitors assigned staffing tables for a variety of human resource activities, e.g., appointments, retirement, expiration of appointments, reassignments, transfer and movement of staff. Budget and Finance: Provides assistance in the preparation and development of the office’s work programme and budget; Assists in monitoring the budget/work programme with respect to various budgets, trust funds, grant and other funds on a regular basis, and records reallocations of resources and implements the reallocations as necessary; Collects data from relevant databases and assists in preparation of financial reports; Provides assistance in the review, and preparation of the medium-term plan and its revisions; Reviews and assists in the finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of staff and non-staff requirements for the mission including programmatic aspects; Monitors compliance with the medium-term plan and other legislative mandates; May assist managers in the elaboration of resource requirements for budget submissions; Monitors budget implementation/expenditures and records reallocation of funds as necessary; Reviews requisitions for goods and services to confirm (a) that correct objects code of expenditure have been charged, and (b) availability of funds; Monitors extra-budgetary resources, in line with agreements and cost plans with special attention given to regulations and rules and established policies and procedures; Assists in the preparation of budget performance submissions; Assists in finalization of budget performance reports with attention given to variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures. General Administration: Provides guidance to mission and/or mission staff. May provide assistance in reviewing host country agreements, budget agreements, or contributions for grants or other activities within assigned areas; Identifies and reports issues/problems as they arise, and recommends appropriate actions; Coordinates regularly with service units and liaises as needed with internal team members both at the mission and in outstations; Performs other related administrative duties, as required (e.g., travel, monitoring accounts and payment to vendors and individual contractors for services, reviews physical space plans and assists in the identification of office technology needs, maintenance of equipment, software and systems, organizes and coordinates seminars, conferences and translations); Manages the office of Chief Mission Support agenda, organizes meetings, and provides the minutes of all section/committee meetings ; Manages all incoming and outgoing correspondences and references register; Records and dispatches all incoming correspondences, Archives all official internal and external documents (Memorandum, Fax, letter, Note verbal, Information Circular, Standard Operating Procedure, …).

Competencies

PROFFESSIONALISM: Ability to perform a broad range of administrative functions, e.g., budget/work programme, human resources, database management. Ability to apply knowledge of various financial, and human resources rules and regulations in work situations. The ability to perform analysis, modeling and interpretation of data in support of decision- making. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work. TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. PLANNING & ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently

Education

High school diploma or equivalent is required

Job – Specific Qualification

Supplementary training in business administration, finance, or budgeting is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible work experience in administrative services, finance, accounting, audit, human resources, or related area is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to three (3) years for candidates who possess a first-level university degree. Experience supporting project administration and management, account management and/or technical cooperation is desirable. Experience working with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems such as System Application Programme (SAP) is desirable. Experience working within the United Nations system or similar international organizations is desirable A minimum of one (1) year or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English and French is required

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position(s) advertised, fluency in both English and French is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Assessment

Not available.

Special Notice

• This position is temporarily available until [6 June 2025. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. • While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. • Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. • This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. • Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. • Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.