Background Information - Job-specific
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.
The UNOPS New York Board and External Relations Office manages the organization's relationship with the Executive Board of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and UNOPS; UN Member States; and the broader UN system. The Office positions UNOPS on a variety of strategic initiatives and represents the organization on UN system-wide issues that require inter-agency collaboration and coordination.
Reporting to the Director of the New York Board and External Relations Office, the incumbent will ensure the provision of dedicated executive support to the Director, including providing general office support services, preparing correspondence, coordinating and arranging meetings and appointments, supporting with budget management and human resources, and facilitating other activities as requested. The role will also provide administrative and logistical support to all functions within the Office as needed, ensuring high quality and accuracy of work.
The incumbent will engage directly with a variety of internal and external stakeholders, often on behalf of the Director and the Office, and will have to display strong UN values throughout all areas of work. S/he will be skilled in, and have experience of, supporting and liaising with senior executives and their offices.
To enhance the smooth running of the Director’s day-to day activities and the Office, (s)he will have excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks, knowledge of protocol, strong communications skills, relationship management skills through a proven track record in assisting teams in the arrangement of events and initiatives, and an ability to work and act under pressure and with discretion in a politically sensitive and challenging environment.
Functional Responsibilities
1. Administrative Support to the Director
2. Communication and Inormation Management
3. Logistical Support
4. Knowledge Building and Knowledge Sharing
1. Administrative Support to the Director
● Manage the Director’s calendar and schedule of meetings and appointments.
● Arrange internal and external meetings, and provide secretarial and administrative support as needed, including but not limited to the preparation of briefing files and minutes/summaries of actions to be taken.
● Manage incoming and outgoing routine correspondence, and answer queries with discretion.
● Support the Director with protocol matters.
● Liaise and coordinate closely with the Executive Office and other internal stakeholders on administrative and logistical matters, and facilitate the flow of information and communication between the Director and other teams within UNOPS as necessary.
● Anticipate and flag issues of administrative concern, and keep the Director abreast of new developments or changes.
● Undertake procurement processes as requested by the Director, and verify and process payments.
● Assist the Director in the elaboration of resource requirements for budget submissions as required, and monitor budget implementation/expenditures.
● Perform other duties as may be reasonably required and assigned by the Director.
2. Communication and Information Management
● Communicate effectively and liaise with internal and external stakeholders on behalf of the Office, following protocol, in connection with the Executive Board and beyond.
● Respond to and/or direct inquiries to appropriate units for timely action/response, screening incoming correspondence and route to relevant colleagues in the Office for timely action/follow-up.
● Ensure/Secure appropriate approval processes for documents that require signature.
● Draft routine correspondence, such as letters, memos, and note verbales.
● Maintain lists of contacts of internal and external stakeholders.
● Maintain hard copy and electronic files and reference materials, and ensure safekeeping of confidential records as required.
● Develop and maintain calendars of significant events and meetings in New York.
●Manage Office related updates to the intranet and external website.
3. Logistical Support
● Manage travel for the Director and the Office and coordinate arrangements such as visa, hotel, security clearance, and protocol matters.
● Plan and coordinate senior UNOPS colleagues’ missions to NY for the Executive Board and other high-level meetings and events, including drafting agendas in collaboration with the Executive Office and other internal stakeholders.
● Support the planning of high-level meetings, events and receptions with Executive Board member states, partners and other stakeholders, assist with protocol matters, and organize the related logistics.
● Receive officials of the UN system and senior representatives of Member States, and coordinate the logistical arrangements related to visits.
4. Knowledge Building and Knowledge Sharing
● Build knowledge of practices of diplomatic protocol, including practices developed within the United Nations system.
● Capture and elaborate on received feedback, ideas, and internal knowledge about processes and best practices.
● Provide regular feedback on existing systems, tools and resources to ensure their relevance and assist with the preparation of standard operating procedures and other guidance documents and templates, as required.
● Support with on-boarding of new colleagues.
● Contribute to a vibrant, dynamic and cohesive team culture.
● Completion of secondary education is required.
● A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s Degree), preferably in administration, management, public administration or another relevant field is desirable but not required and might compensate for some years of experience.
Experience
● A minimum of seven years of relevant experience in general administrative, logistics, or operations’ support services in national or international public or corporate organizations is required (three years of experience in combination with a Bachelor’s Degree will be accepted).
● Experience in providing administrative support and assisting senior-level management positions is required.
● Proficiency in using Google Suite and/or MS Office and handling web-based management systems is required.
● Experience in public relations and communications with senior officials and representatives of diplomatic missions is desirable.
● Experience in UN system organizations is an asset.
Language
● Full working knowledge of English is required.
● Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.
Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience requirements outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to considering all candidates in a fair and transparent manner, and we value diverse perspectives and experiences, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
Terms and Conditions
For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses ( they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.