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 for as long as we are needed. 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 professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

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

For every child, the right to a Future

How can you make a difference?

The primary function of the office of the Executive Director (OED) is to provide vision, leadership, and strategic direction; and to set and direct implementation of the objectives of UNICEF globally. OED must provide strong governance and oversight and efficient and effective management. OED also provides overall guidance to offices across the organization for achieving the results outlined in the strategic plan.

OED has been leading and bringing together cross-functional teams to work on specific campaigns, initiatives and projects as a contribution to UNICEF’s wider programme goals, as underpinned by the Executive Director’s vision. A more structured way of working will be integral to accelerate the achievement of results for children in accordance to UNICEF’s current, as well as upcoming Strategic Plan and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

Under the supervision and guidance of the Deputy Chief of Staff (DCoS), the Administrative Assistant supports a wide range of routine administrative and transactional tasks, along with certain specialized responsibilities across sections within OED. The role requires a solid understanding of UNICEF administrative procedures, processes, and policies.

Procurement

Guides managers in the process of PCA/SSAs in line with the policies and guidance issued by supply division and DPC.
Facilitates the processing of contracts for consultants and external partners that provide a service to the section. This includes preparing and filing documents, completing necessary forms and templates, uploading TOR’s in VISION, and making necessary logistical arrangements.
Maintains up-to-date vendor lists, partners, and consultant rosters.

2. Communications & Workflow

Facilitates the communications and workflow of the organizational unit to enhance the efficiency and timeliness of operations and outputs.
Manages incoming and outgoing correspondence, e-mails and telephone calls.
Communicates routine and some non-routine information pertaining to the work of the team.
Establishes and maintains the office filing and reference systems, both traditional and digital.

Calendar/Meetings/Correspondence Management

Maintains office calendar and arranges meetings.
Takes minutes of meetings, ensuring accuracy, attention to detail and coherence.

Events/Logistics

Supports capacity development activities and conferences by making logistical arrangements, through engaging with facilitators, caterers and hosts.
Arranges times through liaising with participants over availability.
Liaises with budget focal points and section over costs and needs.
Prepares background materials for participants and uploads cleared materials to the intranet.
Prepares and maintains agendas on meetings and events related to the work group commitments.

Travel

Provides travel assistance to staff members in the 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.
Briefs/de-briefs staff members on issues relating to related administrative matters such as visas, security clearance, and documentation procedures.
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.
Assists in the preparation of budgets on travel costs and maintain travel plan and budgetary control records.

Supplies/Equipment

Supports management of administrative supplies, office equipment, and updating inventory of items.
Monitors and supervises adequate and appropriate use of supplies. Ensures that services and maintenance of premises are in accordance with organizational standards.
Supports the purchase and timely distribution of office supplies.
Participate in annual physical inventory of all expendable and non-expendable items in office.
Performs any other duties and responsibilities assigned as required.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: JD_Administrative Assistant_GS-5

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.
A Bachelor or equivalent (First Level University Degree) may replace 3 years. A Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) may replace an additional 2 years.
Work Experience: 5 years of relevant work experience in administration, clerical work and any other related fields is required.
Skills:
Training and experience using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other UNICEF software such as SharePoint; knowledge of integrated management information systems.
Organizational, planning and prioritizing skills and abilities.
Ability to deal patiently and tactfully with visitors.
High sense of confidentiality, initiative and good judgment.
Ability to work effectively with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
Ability to work in a team environment to achieve common goals and to provide guidance to more junior support staff.
Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.

Desirables:

Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.
Familiarity with UN/UNICEF administrative policies and procedures is a strong asset.
Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts is an asset.

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

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 promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

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 is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates 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.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF's Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

Visa residence requirements: i.e. UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.

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.

Administrative Assistant, G-5, Fixed Term Position, #00109574, Executive Director's Office, NYHQ