Administrative Assistant [temporary], Bogota, Colombia At United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia

Posting Title: ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, G5 (Temporary Job Opening)

Job Code Title: ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Department/Office: United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia

Duty Station: BOGOTA

Posting Period: 02 May 2023 – 08 May 2023

Job Opening Number: 23-Administration-UNVMC-208031-J-Bogota (M)

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

Organisational Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVMC). The incumbent will be based in Bogota. The Administrative Assistant reports to the Programme Management Officer (Ethnic Affairs Adviser)

Responsibilities

Budget and Finance management

•  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 assist in preparation of financial reports;
•  Reviews and assists in the finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of staff and nonstaff requirements for the mission including programmatic aspects;
•  Monitors compliance with the medium-term plan and other legislative mandates;
•  Monitors extra-budgetary resources, in line with agreements and cost plans with special attention given to regulations and rules and established policies and procedures;
•  Provides assistance in the review, and preparation of the medium-term plan and its revisions;
•  May assist managers in the elaboration of resource requirements for budget submissions;
•  Monitors budget implementation/expenditures and records reallocation of funds as necessary; Human Resources
•  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
•  Maintains vacancy announcement files and updates track 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 personnel actions through the UN’s current electronic tools, e.g., Umoja;
•  Support processes of UNV -e.g Travel request, umoja
•  Liaises with central administration/executive services as required. General Administration:
•  Provides guidance to mission and/or subordinate 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 coordinate seminars, conferences and translations).
•  Helps to establish the means to monitor that all UNVMC policies are applied and followed thoroughly across all processes, including adherence to UNVMC code of conduct and ethics, and integrates a gender-sensitive approach in all functions.
•  Performs other duties as required.

CompetenciesProfessionalism: 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. Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

EducationHigh school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job – Specific QualificationTechnical training in Finance, Budget, Human Resources Management or Administration is desirable.

Work ExperienceA minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in administration, finance, budget, accounting, audit, human resources or related area is required. Experience working in the use of word processing and spreadsheets is required. Working experience in United Nations or similar international organization at this capacity is desirable. Experience working with initiatives on indigenous/ethnic peoples is desirable Experience working with United Nations administrative electronic tools, such as Umoja or ERP or similar systems is desirable.

LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English and Spanish is required.

AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by informal interview.

Special Notice

•  This position is temporarily available until 31 December, 2023. 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.
•  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.
•  The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff, as per the Secretary General´s Gender Parity Strategy. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. #United_for_Gender_Parity.
•  Candidates interested to work for the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia may wish to check out our Realistic Job Preview videos to get an idea of the living and working conditions in different duty stations in Colombia.: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-8SCkVjg-e3073SwTDG1VQf1oLTWfUQ4
•  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. 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. 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.

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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. 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.

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