The position is located in the secretariat of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) whose mandate is to evaluate the sources of ionizing radiation and its effects on human health and the environment for the United Nations General Assembly, the scientific community and the public. The post is one of two established General Service positions in the UNSCEAR secretariat. It carries the primary responsibility for the preparation of scientific documents for scrutiny at the annual sessions of UNSCEAR, session briefings, subsequent reports to the General Assembly and sales publication comprising substantive and authoritative reports on detailed scientific evidence underpinning the Committee’s findings. The incumbent works under the direct supervision of the Senior Scientific Officer/Deputy Secretary and overall management by the Secretary of UNSCEAR.
Within assigned authority, the Editorial Assistant will be responsible for the following duties:
• Review, format and follow up publication of scientific publications and session documents; timely submission of documents to the Bureau and the Committee, and promptly alert the Secretary of the Committee to issues and problems that need addressing.
• Maintain an online system of relevant guidance, regulations, and UN/UNSCEAR procedures with respect to preparation, review and publication of UNSCEAR studies (including format, style, layout and submission of scientific documents to the Committee and the General Assembly).
• Provide authors of scientific documents with specific instructions on preparation, review and finalisation of the documents (including correct format, style, layout and submission procedures; screens manuscripts submitted by authors for compliance with submission instructions, standards and regulations).
• Prepare instructions to the Committee for the review and submission of comments and feedback on draft scientific reports and consolidates all comments and authors’ feedback.
• Format scientific texts (including data tabulations, diagrams and figures) in accordance with established UN/UNSCEAR format, style, layout and submission instructions, standards and regulations; liaise with authors in case of inconsistencies; check spreadsheets containing tables, charts and graphs.
• Assume responsibility for organization and accuracy of extensive bibliographic citations of scientific papers in the UNSCEAR Reports.
• Register incoming/outgoing manuscripts of the UNSCEAR secretariat; maintain an audit trail of versions and changes of scientific reports; keep all concerned informed of changes in schedules and modifications made by authors/secretariat to texts.
• Provide technical assistance to editors; liaise with editors to ensure that all editorial changes are reflected in electronic texts; clarify and finalize changes ensuring that any additional revisions are included in final, camera-ready versions. Assume responsibility for liaison with UN entities so to ensure timely publication of the Committee’s scientific reports and reports to General Assembly.
• Ensure typographical accuracy in conformity with UN editorial rules and style, and with UNSCEAR scientific notation, terminology and practice; and perform desktop publishing functions.
• Proofread texts against original draft, as appropriate, identifying errors and inconsistencies and resolving them with the Deputy Secretary, the Secretary of the Committee, author and/or editor.
• Organize, plan and coordinate the work with respect to the production of camera-ready documents for reproduction and storage of final text; take responsibility for quality of finished document or publication.
• Independently respond to queries from translators and text-processing units concerning documents submitted for processing.
• Organize and oversee the maintenance of the secretariat’s physical and electronic reference collection of UN documents, publications and other reference materials; take responsibility for UNSCEAR library and ordering and accounting for documents and publications.
• Update and maintain the UNSCEAR EndNote library (database).
• Assist in organization and servicing of UNSCEAR annual sessions.
• Assist in general office management functions.
• Carry out other tasks as assigned; and act as backup for the Administrative Assistant.
• Carry out other work-related tasks requested by the Deputy Secretary or Secretary of UNSCEAR; cover other General Service staff functions when the staff members are absent, on annual or sick leave.
• Professionalism: Has knowledge of UN documentation, the documents processing chain and relevant operational and administrative policies and procedures. Has knowledge of UN editorial policies and practices. Has knowledge of the Editorial, Terminology and Reference Service and the roles of related services/sections. Is able to research and organize highly scientific and technical information required, including for the preparation of statistical reports. 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 problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Is committed to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.
• 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.
• 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.
High school diploma or equivalent is required.
Passing the Global General Service Test (GGST) is a prerequisite, i.e. is required, for recruitment consideration in the General Services and related categories in the United Nations Secretariat. Applicants who have not passed the GGST at the time of application may be invited for the test after submitting an application.
The GGST is a proctored entry-level examination at the duty station. Any travel expenses incurred in order to take the examination are the responsibility of the candidate and will not be reimbursed by the Organization.
Having passed the Administrative Support Assessment Test [in English] at the United Nations headquarters, Economic Commission for Africa, Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, United Nations Office at Geneva, United Nations Office at Vienna, International criminal tribunal for Rwanda or International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia may be accepted in lieu of the GGST.
A minimum of seven years of experience in the preparation of documentation submitted for processing, in providing reference and technical support, or in desktop publishing is required.
Experience in the use of advanced computer skills and applications (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is required.
Experience with United Nations publication of reports is desirable.
Experience and training in desktop publishing and graphics manipulation is desired.
Giving an example, please describe your experience and role in editing publications and reports in English language (incl. tools/software used).
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of other United Nations official languages is an advantage.
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.
Appointment against this position is for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension.
This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. All staff in the General Service and related categories shall be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of each office, irrespective of their nationality and of the length of time they may have been in the country. Non-local candidates will be considered only when no suitable candidate from the duty station is identified and will be subject to local recruitment. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.
At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity.
All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect.
The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.
Aux termes du paragraphe 3 de l’Article 101 de la Charte des Nations Unies, la considération dominante dans le recrutement du personnel doit être la nécessité d’assurer à l’Organisation les services de personnes possédant les plus hautes qualités de travail, de compétence et d’intégrité. Ne seront pas retenues les candidatures des personnes qui ont commis des violations du droit international des droits de l’homme, des violations du droit international humanitaire, des actes d’exploitation, d’atteintes ou de harcèlement sexuels, ou au sujet desquelles il existe des raisons plausibles de croire qu’elles ont été impliquées dans la commission de tels actes. L’expression « exploitation sexuelle » désigne le fait d’abuser ou de tenter d’abuser d’un état de vulnérabilité, d’un rapport de force inégal ou de rapports de confiance à des fins sexuelles, y compris mais non exclusivement en vue d’en tirer un avantage pécuniaire, social ou politique. On entend par « atteinte sexuelle » toute atteinte physique de nature sexuelle commise par la force, sous la contrainte ou à la faveur d’un rapport inégal, ou la menace d’une telle atteinte. Le harcèlement sexuel s'entend de tout comportement déplacé à connotation sexuelle raisonnablement propre ou de nature à choquer ou humilier, lorsqu'il entrave la bonne marche du service, est présenté comme une condition d'emploi ou crée au lieu de travail un climat d'intimidation, d'hostilité ou de vexation, et lorsque ce comportement est assez grave pour justifier le licenciement de son auteur. La candidature de personnes qui ont commis des infractions autres que des infractions mineures au code de la route ne sera pas retenue.
Sera dûment prise en considération l'importance d'un recrutement effectué sur une base géographique aussi large que possible. Aucune restriction ne sera imposée par l'Organisation à l'accès des hommes et des femmes, dans des conditions égales, à toutes les fonctions, dans ses organes principaux et subsidiaires. Le Secrétariat de l'Organisation des Nations Unies est un espace non-fumeurs.
La considération dominante dans l’engagement, la mutation ou la promotion du personnel est la nécessité de s’assurer les services de personnes possédant les plus hautes qualités de travail, de compétence et d’intégrité. En acceptant une offre d’engagement, les membres du personnel sont soumis(es) à l’autorité du Secrétaire général, qui peut leur assigner l’une quelconque des tâches ou l’un quelconque des postes de l’Organisation des Nations Unies, conformément à l’alinéa c) de l’article 1.2 du Statut du personnel. Dans ce contexte, tous les membres du personnel recrutés sur le plan international sont tenus de changer de fonctions périodiquement à l’intérieur d’un même lieu d’affectation ou dans un autre lieu d’affectation, dans les conditions fixées par le Secrétaire général.
Les candidats sont invités à respecter scrupuleusement toutes les instructions disponibles sur la plateforme de recrutement en ligne Inspira. Pour des informations plus détaillées, ils ou elles peuvent consulter le manuel d'instructions pour le candidat, en cliquant sur le lien hypertexte « Manuels » sur le côté supérieur droit de la page d'accueil de leur compte Inspira.
Les candidatures feront l'objet d'une évaluation et d'un examen préalables sur la base des informations soumises conformément aux critères d'évaluation de l'avis de vacance de poste et aux dispositions législatives internes applicables de l'Organisation des Nations Unies, notamment la Charte des Nations Unies, les résolutions de l'Assemblée générale, le Statut et le Règlement du personnel, les textes administratives et les directives. Les candidats doivent fournir des informations exhaustives et précises conformément aux instructions fournies sur la plateforme Inspira. Une fois la candidature envoyée, aucune modification, suppression ou révision, ni aucun ajout ou changement ne pourra être fait. Il sera procédé à une vérification des références des candidats faisant l'objet d'une attention particulière pour s'assurer de l'exactitude des renseignements qu’ils ont fournis dans leur candidature.
Les avis de vacance de postes publiés sur le Portail des carrières sont retirés à 11:59 p.m. (heure de New York), le jour de la date limite de dépôt des candidatures.
L’ONU NE PERÇOIT DE FRAIS À AUCUN STADE DU RECRUTEMENT (DÉPÔT OU TRAITEMENT DE LA CANDIDATURE, ENTRETIEN, FORMATION, ETC.), ET ELLE NE DEMANDE AUCUNE INFORMATION BANCAIRE.