Hardship LevelE (most hardship)
Family TypeFamily
Family TypeFamily
Residential location (if applicable)
GradeGS5
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeGeneral Service
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Target Start Date2023-05-01
Job Posting End DateMay 11, 2023
Standard Job DescriptionSenior Administrative Assistant Organizational Setting and Work Relationships The Senior Administrative Assistant will provide administrative support to the office where the position is located. The Senior Administrative Assistant normally has no direct supervisory functions though it rests upon the supervisor of the post to make time specific arrangements subject to a given situation. The incumbent normally works under the direct supervision of more senior local or international staff, who is required to monitor the performance of the incumbent and provide regular guidance. S/he may liaise with local suppliers and/or officials and/or Implementing Partners (IPs) on routine subject matters under the direction of the supervisor. All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity. Duties - Assist in interpreting and processing of entitlements, issuance of contracts and maintenance of various personnel records and files. - Attend meetings on day-to-day admin matters; administer the movement of UNHCR staff members and monitor their attendance records, leave plans, overtime and visa requirements. - Search office files and records relating to a variety of topics for information and reference. Select information and records in specified format or on the basis of general instructions for use by others in preparing reports, correspondence, technical papers, project or programme plans and general reference documents. - Assist in requisition of office supplies, equipment and arrange for distribution together with the appropriate inventory records. - Assist in administrative formalities related to travel arrangements and issuance/ renewal of visas, licences, travel arrangements and other similar documents. - Draft correspondence and reports, as required, on general administrative or specialized tasks which may be of a confidential nature within the assigned area of responsibility; Type correspondence, documents and reports, some of which may be highly confidential. - Arrange appointments and maintain supervisor's calendar, receive visitors, place and screen telephone calls and answer queries with discretion; Keep lists of names, addresses and telephone numbers of ministers, government officials and members of the diplomatic corps. - Assist the management to organise and run UNHCR Office and Residential (wherever applicable) compounds. - Facilitate various official missions of UNHCR staff and other persons of concern to UNHCR. - Prepare attestations and certificates required by the staff members for signature of senior officer. - Assist in processing MIP and various other claims by UNHCR staff and other clients of UNHCR. - Perform other related duties as required. Minimum Qualifications Education & Professional Work Experience Years of Experience / Degree Level For G5 - 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher Field(s) of Education Not applicable. Certificates and/or Licenses Business Administration, Finance, Office Management, Human Resources, or other related field. (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential) Relevant Job Experience Essential Not specified. Desirable Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the position. Functional Skills *IT-Computer Literacy UN-UN/UNHCR Administrative Rules, Regulations and Procedures IT-PeopleSoft Applications (Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential) Language Requirements For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English. For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language. For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English. All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination, and abuse of power. As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise. This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.
Desired Candidate Profile - Good knowledge of UNHCR Admin and financial rules, procedures and processes
- Prior exposure to UNHCR refugee operations and functions relating to field office administration
- Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the position
- Knowledge and working experience of MSRP
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level): Turkish
,English
Desired languages
,
Operational context
To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station,
please visit this link:
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
The Senior Administrative Assistant reports to the Assistant Admin Officer in the Admin Unit. The incumbent on top of routine admin duties, will play a lead role in distributing the work between third party service providers and ensuring a proper management of UHNCR premises in Gaziantep and Southeast Türkiye (support is also given to Field Units Hatay – with a presence in Adana –, Sanliurfa) and might require travel on regular or occasional basis to the locations where we have a presence. S/he will monitor regularly that all contracted service providers comply with the established terms of reference and recommend corrective actions to ensure full client satisfaction.
This entails regular monitoring of contract deadlines of service providers, identification of needs, support in purchasing of items and services required for maintenance of the buildings. S/he also supports with the travel arrangements for official travel and claims. S/he will provide administrative assistance to the immediate supervisor and/or Head of the Office to ensure that routine services and activities within the administrative domain are properly implemented. Subject to the nature of the task/assignment in hand. S/he will receive regular guidance from his/her supervisor. The nature of certain administrative tasks requires discretion and confidentiality as per UNHCR standards and practices.
Language requirement: Fluency in English and Turkish
• On 6 February, two major earthquakes of 7.7 and 7.5 magnitude in Kahramanmaraş Province impacted eleven provinces in Türkiye’s southeast region and neighbouring Syria. Numerous aftershocks, including deadly ones, are continuing to negatively impact the situation in the region.
• A 3-month state of emergency was declared for 11 provinces affected by the earthquake on 7 February (Adiyaman, Gaziantep, Kilis, Hatay, Malatya, Diyarbakir, Adana, Osmaniye, Kahramanmaras and Sanliurfa as well as the province of Elazig).
• Turkish government is leading the response through coordination by the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD). The Turkish Red Crescent (TRC) and several humanitarian organisations are working alongside AFAD. The Presidency of Migration Management (PMM) is coordinating the response with regards to refugees and asylum-seekers, among others.
• On 9 February, UNHCR declared a level 2 emergency which will remain in force for a period of six months until 8 August 2023.
• In alignment with the Türkiye Earthquakes UN Flash Appeal, which was launched on 16 February, UNHCR issued its Earthquake Emergency Supplementary Appeal covering requirements for Türkiye amounting to USD 150 million. The overall aim of UNHCR’s action is to improve living conditions of earthquake-affected people, and to assist those with specific needs, including among refugees, in finding and accessing necessary services including documentation and social protection.
Following the publication of the Flash Appeal, a coordination structure has been established under OCHA, with a limited duration, after which the 3RP coordination mechanisms will resume.
Location of the position is in Gaziantep. While in normal circumstances the duty station is classified as B category, following the earthquake a temporary classification as category E duty station was accorded to all locations in the southeast Turkiye. This temporary reclassification will be reassessed by June 2023. Two out of 13 Gaziantep districts (Islahiye and Nurdagi) have been badly hit during the earthquake, but the central parts of Gazinatep were largely spared of significant destruction, although a limited number of buildings in the city have also collapsed, and some others damaged.
The infrastructure and utilities in Gaziantep are largely preserved, and the city continues to benefit from efficient public transport system and smooth delivery of gas, water and electricity. Gaziantep is a regional industrial and trade hub, with thousands of businesses that have continued operating after the earthquake.
Gaziantep has a good network of health facilities, including both public and private hospitals, some of which offer more sophisticated services. Housing in Gaziantep is widely available, but due to economic downfall in most of 2022 and following the earthquake, rental prices have significantly increased.
Gaziantep also has a well-developed network of schools and is home to one of the largest universities in Turkiye. There are several private universities as well. However, education with international curricula is very limited and it may be challenging for families with younger children in need of adequate educational facilities in foreign language. English is not widely spoken, which may be challenging at times. However, people in Gaziantep are hospitable.
Current operational circumstances may require long working hours due to ongoing emergency mode.
Proximity to the Syrian border has led to a sensitive security in South-eastern Turkey since the Syrian conflict began. However, the level of general criminality is low. During the recent period the security situation in Southeast Turkey has been largely stable, with isolated incidents of deteriorated situation due to evolving security situation along the border with Syria. Following an increased engagement in the Syrian conflict by the Turkish Government the number of incidents targeting Turkish security forces has somewhat increased, but number of cross border incidents is rather limited in scale and frequency of occurrence.
The current security levels in Southeast Turkiye is Level 2, with some parts of the AOR (10 Km distance from the border area, plus Reyhanli and Mardin in the east) at Level 4. There are no known direct threats towards the United Nations and its staff in the area but vigilance and awareness is required in the changing security environment. Due to the relatively recent developments at the border areas, the UN staff in Gaziantep are advised to increase their precaution measures in general. Area Security plans and Security levels are being updated.
Gaziantep is a base for three UNHCR separate facilities- the SO Gaziantep (refugee operations), Resettlement Hub inaugurated in Dec 2022, and the Cross Border Operation that is engaged in the humanitarian interventions in Northwest Syria. SO Gaziantep provides support to Resettlement and Cross Border Operations through Admin and logistics functions, with occasional expansion to other types of support from various units in the office.
Additional Qualifications
Skills
Education
CertificationsBusiness Administration - Other, Finance - Other, Human Resources - Other, Office Management - Other
Work Experience
CompetenciesAccountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Teamwork & collaboration
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Additional Information
Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance
This vacancy is archived.