UNICEF Administrative Assistant, (GS-5), PD, New York

Purpose of the Position

Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) is a global partnership of developing countries, donors, multi-lateral agencies, civil society and other development organisations working together to achieve universal and sustainable access to sanitation and drinking water, with an immediate focus on meeting the Millennium Development Goals in the most off-track countries. UNICEF's Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) section hosts the Secretariat for SWA and is currently recruiting for an Administrative Assistant.

Under the direct supervision of the SWA Coordinator, the Administrative Assistant performs a variety of communication, information gathering, monitoring, technical and administrative services, in support of the SWA Secretariat in the WASH Section

MINIMUM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: - MUST PASS THE UN ASAT (Administrative Support Assessment Test) in ENGLISH (PLEASE MENTION IN YOUR COVER LETTER WHETHER YOU PASSED THIS EXAM) - NON-US CANDIDATES MUST BE IN POSSESSION OF A US G4 VISA OR BE A US PERMANENT RESIDENT

Key Expected Results

1. Assist in the preparation, follow up and information dissemination of SWA Steering Committee meetings, work-plans, documents and reports, including logistical arrangements and drafting of agendas and minutes and email correspondence with Steering Committee Members and other related stakeholders (including UNICEF WASH Staff). This includes support to the Chair and Vice-Chair including drafting correspondence and travel arrangements
2. Process all contracts and payments and monitor the budget and expenditures allocated to SWA and support the WASH Section budget focal point for preparation and operation of section budget, in consultation with the Chief. This would include review of monthly closure reports to verify, correct, and inform DFAM of actions to be taken; support in the monitoring of the programme budgets, expenditure available to the Cluster; Prepare period draft reports on budget expenditures and allocations for review by supervisors.
3. Assist in the organization of SWA events (workshops, conferences, meetings, etc.), as well as events to which SWA provides inputs, including travel arrangements;
4. Perform routine administrative duties to support the SWA Secretariat staff, in particular the Coordinator, and consultants. Set up meetings and appointments. Assist in the preparation of reports, correspondence, background materials, presentations and working papers. Make travel arrangements, including applications for visas as well as hotel accommodations, reservations, etc. for travellers.
5. Maintain extensive filing system to ensure documentation and archiving.
6. Assist with information dissemination including operationalizing and maintaining an effective information dissemination system and SWA contact database and drafting responses to queries.
7. Performs other duties as required.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

• Completion of secondary education (ie. High School Diploma) is required. Completion of technical or university courses in a field related to the work of the organisation, e.g. Social Sciences, Communication, etc. is considered desirable.
• Five years of relevant work experience in an administrative capacity, including previous experience in organizing international conferences and meetings is required. Previous experience with web-development and web-research is considered an asset. Knowledge of the UN System is considered desirable.
• Fluency in English (both written and oral) is required. Knowledge of French is considered an asset.
• MUST PASS THE UN ASAT (Administrative Support Assessment Test) in ENGLISH
• Good knowledge of personal computers, applications, word processing and spreadsheet software.

Competencies of Successful Candidate

• Tact, discretion, initiative, good judgment and ability to work independently.
• Good organizational skills and drafting ability.
• Communicates effectively.
• Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
• Sets high levels of quality and productivity for self.
• Analyzes and integrates verbal, numerical and other types of data.
• Rapidly learns new tasks relevant to own job and quickly commits information to memory.
• Sets self clearly defined tasks in line objectives set by the line manager.
• Follows spoken and written instructions without unnecessarily challenging others’ authority.

How to apply:

If you want a challenging career while improving the lives of children around the world UNICEF, the leading children's rights organization, would like to hear from you. Visit us at www.unicef.org/about/employ to register in our new e-Recruitment system and apply to this vacancy,quoting E-VN-2013-000404. Applications must be received by Midnight EST on 11 March 2013.IN ORDER TO MEET THE MINIMUM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS PARTICULAR POST, A CANDIDATE MUST: - PASS THE UN ASAT (Administrative Support Assessment Test) in ENGLISH (PLEASE MENTION IN YOUR APPLICATION COVER LETTER WHETHER YOU PASSED THIS EXAM) - BE IN POSSESSION OF A US G-4 VISA (FOR NON US RESIDENTS) OR BE A US CITIZEN/PERMANENT RESIDENT IMPORTANT: As part of your applicant online profile on UNICEF's e-Recruitment site, please make sure your select “Release Profile” under Candidate Profile/Overview & Release. Please note that only candidates who are under serious consideration will be contacted. In the selection of its staff, UNICEF is committed to gender balance and diversity without distinction as to race, sex or religion, and without discrimination of persons with disabilities. Well qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.