This position is available for an initial period of one year, subject to extension based on the availability of funds.
Appointment against this post is on a local basis; candidates shall be recruited in the country of the duty station, irrespective of nationality and length of time the candidate may have been in the country. If no suitable candidate is identified, overseas candidates will be considered subject to a passing grade on the relevant entry-level examinations at the duty station.
The candidate is responsible for any expenses incurred in order to take the examination and, in the event of an employment offer, any costs relating to travel and relocation to the duty station.
Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers In accordance with established rules and procedures.
This post is located within the Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Programme Support of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). The Team Assistant reports directly to the Chief, of the Programme Planning and Technical Cooperation Section (PPTCS) and will be under the overall supervision of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Programme Support.
The Team Assistant will be responsible for carrying out the following:
A. Management of ESCWA active projects funded by UNDA:
1- Serves as focal point in the section for administrative coordination of DA projects implementation, involving extensive liaison with the diverse divisions at ESCWA to initiate requests for Umoja event numbers, obtain necessary clearances and administrative approvals, process and follow-up on administrative actions, e.g. appointment of personnel, travel arrangements, authorization of payments, etc.;
2- Constantly reviews final approved project documents including Results Based Budget tables to ensure proper implementation of projects activities and identify any deviation from the plan.
3- Keeps track of periodic status reviews and extensions, revision and reports on budget revisions, expenditures and obligations, verification of availability of fund of all DA active projects,
4- Tracking and following up with focal points on preparation and completeness of interim and final reports on projects implementation status prior to submissions to DESA;
5- Monitors status of project proposals and receipt of relevant documentation for review and approval;
B. Collection, organization and dissemination of relevant information on technical cooperation activities for internal and external use:
6- Compiles, summarizes, and presents basic information/data on specific pojects/activities and related topics or issues.;
7- Working with colleagues, assembles reported information on RPTC, DA, and XB activities for preparation of a newsletter, country profiles, Web content, and as contributions for a variety of periodic reports;
8- Updates the content on the Technical Cooperation Web portal;
9- Prepares a variety of tables, lists, graphs, charts and/or diagrams on technical cooperation activities for use in reports and presentations produced by the Section; Division and Organization;
C. General Office Assistance:
10- Responds to information requests and inquiries, and drafts responses to incoming correspondence and other communications;
11- Assists in arranging meetings or events related to technical cooperation, and monitors RSVPs;
12- Maintains calendar/schedules, monitors changes and communicates relevant information to appropriate staff;
13- Maintains and updates mailing lists;
14- Takes notes and summaries of meetings;
15- Upon request, proofreads documents and assists in informal translation from Arabic to English - or vice versa - of correspondence and reports on technical cooperation or other relevant issues.
Professionalism - Knowledge of general office and administrative support including administrative policies, processes and procedures. 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.
Communication - Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
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.
A minimum of three years of experience in administrative and office support is required.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. Arabic is also a working language of ESCWA. For this post, fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic is required.
Passing the Global General Service Test (GGST) is a prerequisite 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 when they are short-listed for a job opening. Having passed the Administrative Support Assessment Test (ASAT) 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 per applicable eligibility guidelines.
In addition to the above, the shortlisted candidates will undergo a substantive written assessment related to the functions of the post and a competency-based interview. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
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, including but not limited to, respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to, whether they have committed or are alleged to have committed criminal offences or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
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.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on "The Application Process" and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The screening and 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, including but not limited to, their education, work experience, and language skills, according to the instructions provided on inspira. Applicants will be disqualified from consideration if they do not demonstrate in their application that they meet the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations. Applicants are solely responsible for providing complete and accurate information at the time of application: 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 a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (New York time) on the deadline date.
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.