Administrative Services Associate, G6, FT, Niamey, Niger #52289

  • Contract
  • Niamey
  • Posted 5 months ago

UNICEF - United Nations Children’s Fund

UNICEF Niger is seeking for a dynamic and experienced Administrative Services Associate who will work under the general supervision and guidance of the supervisor, the Administrative Office, and will be responsible for coordinating all the travel transactions as well as administrative support functions.

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, Hope!

The UNICEF Office in Niamey supports the government’s efforts to improve the situation of children, and in general to achieve sustainable development goals. The Operations section and more precisely the Administrative Unit provides high quality services in support to the implementation of programmes and projects efficiently and effectively, so that the actions of UNICEF have a positive and real impact on the populations. It is to meet this goal that UNICEF is looking for an Administrative Service Associate to facilitate the operational transactions linked to travel and different administrative tasks for the office as well as the staff members. 

How can you make a difference?

The Administrative Services Associate will work under the general supervision and guidance of the supervisor, the Administrative Office, and will be responsible for coordinating and preparing the travel of staff members, dependents, consultants and participants to meetings, including the issuance of Travel Authorization, preparation of travel documents and visas. Also, assisting in the administrative support functions related to the maintenance of office premises and equipment and cutting abroad variety of procedural and specialized administrative tasks for the respective section requiring in-depth knowledge of UNICEF administrative procedures, processes and policies.

1. Coordinate and monitor travel processes. Travel includes official mission, repatriation, transfer, home leave, family visit, education grant travel for staff members and dependents, and arrangements for consultants, candidates and other official travelers. Verify itineraries, routings and ticket costs, and request price quotations from travel Agent. Recommend most economical rate available, taking into account the official itinerary as set forth in the UN/UNICEF regulations.

2. Review travel requests to guarantee proper completion and resolve problems between the travel agency and the traveler in cases where there is a conflict between traveler’s plans and the authorized entitlements by explaining to the staff member the pertinent regulations and rules and by suggesting various alternatives.
 
3. Analyze, examine and investigate all travel claims. Examine travel claims for accuracy and conformity to authorization prior to final settlement, when required. Verify that travel has taken place in accordance with the Travel Authorization by checking approved itinerary against actual travel:
 
– Check stopovers, whether official or personal
– Check whether official vehicles were provided
– Verify that approved DSA rates are in accordance with ICSC DSA circular in effect at time of travel
– Ensure that personal days have not been included in DSA calculations
– Ensure Travel Claim is accompanied by supporting documentation
– Review any additional expenditures which are not part of the original entitlement such as hotel coverages, airport taxes, official telephone bills and excess baggage charges to ensure they fall within UNICEF guidelines
– Deduct travel advance amounts indicated on the original Travel Authorization from settlement
– Request refunds of cancelled tickets or unused portions of tickets to ensure that all credits due to the Organization are received in a timely manner
– Enter travel transaction in VISION
 
4. Monitor the travel authorizations through the Organization software, follow up their timely certification and close them. Certify travels in VISION on behalf of drivers and other Operations staff.
 
5. Monitor security conditions through Personnel Policy and Services Section, and Security Bulletins. Ensure UN or appropriate clearances are obtained prior to releasing Travel Authorization.
 
6. Assist staff members and their dependents by processing requests for visas and other personnel-related documents. Prepare requests for visa or invitation letter to facilitate the entry visa for consultants and any other official request for visa. Brief and assist arriving and departing staff on basic administrative procedures and requirements, i.e. shipment and insurance of personal effects, liability claims as well as in identification, arrangement and selection of staff housing. Keep supervisor abreast of potential problem areas, identify and suggest solutions. Prepare reports and correspondence on administrative matters.
 
7. Arrange meetings and travel arrangements. Utilize appropriate organizational software for various arrangements. Ensure accuracy of calendars and planners. Assist in the identification improvements in the capacity of travel arrangements.
 
8. Assist in the maintenance of Office premises and equipment. Assist in the follow-up actions necessary for cleaning services, maintenance of premises, maintenance and repair of office equipment with the limit of authorized requisitions. Performs any other duty assigned by the supervisor and/or the Chief of Operations.
 
9. Provides travel assistance to staff members in section for travel arrangements and entitlements based on the organization’s rules and policies. Liaises with relevant travel focal points to ensure that the organization obtains the best service and price for all travel.
 
10. Briefs/de-briefs staff members on issues relating to related administrative matters such as visas, security clearance, and documentation procedures.
 
11. Extracts, inputs, maintains, and verifies correctness of travel records in the organization’s travel
system to ensure accurate transactions related to travel costs and staff travel.
 
12. Assists in the preparation of budgets on travel costs and maintain travel plan and budgetary control records.
 
13. Monitors travel certification and report back to the team.
 

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

Minimum requirements:

Education: Completion of secondary education is required, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to the field of work.

Work Experience: At least 6 years of relevant work experience in administrative or clerical work is required. Travel administration experience is highly desirable. Previous hands-on experience in planning, organizing and delivering administrative support services is highly desirable. Work experience with emergency situation is an asset. Knowledge of UN/UNICEF’s rules, regulations and procedures is considered an asset.

Language Requirements: Fluency in French is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset.

Desirables:

  • Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.
  • Proven ability to organize and prioritize is desirable.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per 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.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable women are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

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