Senior Administrative Assistant, Nairobi, Kenya At United Nations Office at Nairobi

Posting Title: SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, G7

Job Code Title: SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Department/Office: United Nations Office at Nairobi

Duty Station: NAIROBI

Posting Period: 03 March 2023 – 01 April 2023

Job Opening Number: 23-Administration-UNON-201624-R-Nairobi (E)

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Organisational Setting and ReportingUnited Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) is the UN Headquarters in Africa and the representative office of the Secretary-General. We support programme implementation of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UN Human Settlements Programme (UNHABITAT) globally, as well as other UN offices in Kenya, by providing administrative, conference and information services. (www.unon.org). This position is located within the dedicated Project Management Team for the A-J Replacement Project and reports directly to the Sr. Project manager of the A-J Project. Within delegated authority, the Senior Administrative Assistant will be responsible for the following duties: Responsibilities

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT:

•  Coordinates various actions related to the administration of the unit’s human resource activities, e.g., recruitment, placement, promotion, relocation, performance appraisal, job classification reviews, separation of staff members, training etc., ensuring consistency in the application of UN rules and procedures. Liaises with central administration/executive services as required.
•  Oversees the maintenance of vacancy announcement files and keeps track of status of vacancy announcements.
•  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 staffing tables for a variety of human resource activities, e.g., appointments, retirement, expiration of appointments, reassignments, transfer and movement of staff. PROJECT AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT:
•  Provides expert assistance in the preparation and development of the unit’s work programme.
•  Monitor the status of the Section’s project budgetary accounts and liaise with BFMS to ensure appropriate allocation and utilization of funds.
•  Provides expert assistance in the preparation and development of the unit’s work programme and budget.
•  Monitor the status of Section’s project accounts and liaise with BFMS to ensure appropriate allocation and utilization of funds.
•  Consolidate and monitor the various budgets and advise supervisors on status of expenditures and remaining balances in good time to allow maximum utilization of resources and implementation of work plan.
•  Take the lead in and ensure the timely processing and following up on all the Unit’s vendor payments.
•  Provides assistance in the review, and preparation of the medium-term plan and its revisions. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION:
•  Provides guidance, training and daily supervision to other general service staff in their area of responsibility
•  Assist in drafting of agreements, documents or meeting minutes.
•  Identifies and resolves diverse administrative issues/problems as they arise and determines appropriate actions.
•  Coordinates extensively with service units and liaises frequently with internal team members.
•  Assists with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making.
•  Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures.
•  Performs other related administrative duties, as required (e.g., operational travel programme, monitoring accounts and payment to vendors and individual contractors for services, physical space planning and the identification of office technology needs and maintenance of equipment, software and systems, organize and coordinate meetings and workshops). PROCUREMENT AND CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION:
•  Prepare, review and follow up as required on the procurement requirements for the A-J replacement project.
•  Monitoring progress on the Project’s procurement requirements from solicitation of goods/services in liaison with UNON’s Procurement Section. Support and track technical evaluations and the compiling of bid evaluation reports.
•  Following-up with vendors to ensure timely delivery of goods and services.
•  Assists with day-to-day administration of contracts between the UN and external contractors for outsourced services.
•  Process the payment of contractors’ invoices and monitor payments using Umoja and Payable Register system.
•  Prepares and processes all UN forms and permissions needed for contractor staff to operate, including: UN grounds passes for institutional Individual Contractors and gate passes for removal of property from the compound;
•  Performs other relevant duties as assigned by the Sr Project Manager.

CompetenciesPROFESSIONALISM: Ability to perform a broad range of administrative functions, e.g., budget/work programme, human resources, database management, etc; ability to apply knowledge of various United Nations administrative, 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. PLANNING & ORGANISING: 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.

EducationCompletion of high school diploma or equivalent is required. Supplementary courses or additional training in administration, project management or other related field is desirable. 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 after submitting an application.

Work ExperienceA minimum of ten (10) years of progressive relevant work experience in the field of administration (i.e. Finance, human resources, procurement, general administration, programme or project administration) is required. Working experience in the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System/Systems Applications and Products(SAP) is required. Experience with supporting the development of work plans, targets and time schedules and monitoring and reporting against the same is desirable. Experience in administering budgetary funds and lines in an ERP platform is desirable. 1 year or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable. NOTE: “Fluency equals a rating of “fluent” in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and ” Knowledge of” equals a rating of’ confident” in two of the four areas.

AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special NoticeAppointment against this post is on a local basis. This is a project post funded 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. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. External candidates will be considered only when no suitable internal candidate from the duty station is identified. The candidate is responsible for any travel expenses incurred to take-up the appointment. 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. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Internal Applicants – when completing the PHP, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. 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. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an email acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. If the problem persists please seek technical assistance through the Inspira “Need Help?” link.

United Nations ConsiderationsAccording 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. The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General. Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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 FeeTHE 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.

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