PROGRAMME ASSISTANT

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences, overall guidance of the Director of the Division of Science Policy and Capacity Building (DIR/SC/PCB), and the direct supervision of the Chief of Science Policy and Partnerships Section (SC/PCB/SPP), the programme assistant shall provide administrative and programme support for the smooth and efficient organization and delivery of programme/project of the section. Within this context, the incumbent will provide a full range of office, administrative and management supportas follows\:

• Prepare a variety of programme related documents and correspondence using examples or templates; receive, analyze, register and distribute correspondence; draft and review emails/documents in compliance with UNESCO format standards; maintain mailing/contact lists.
• Process data from automated systems in order to support preparation of regular and ad-hoc budgetary/financial updates, to report on programme delivery, statistics and/or projections for use and scrutiny by the supervisor; provide administrative support for fund raising initiatives.
• Support the organization and set-up meetings, events, workshops and publications for the Section; prepare meeting minutes; provide administrative and logistical support including travel, room/equipment reservation, etc.
• Maintain information systems and databases for the programme in both paper and electronic media by recording, updating and retrieving information, documentation and data; ensure appropriate and accurate archiving of programme files.
• Support the overall development of programme activities in the section.
• Respond to enquiries and follow up on routine outstanding matters; liaise with various internal services.

EDUCATION

• Completed secondary, technical and/or vocational education.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• At least 3 years of relevant work experience in administrative and/or secretarial tasks.
• Experience in program support in an international environment.

SKILLS/COMPETENCIES

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including excellent drafting skills in English and/or French.
• Attention to detail and meticulous in correspondence.
• Ability to work as part of a team and to provide quality and timely support and services.
• Flexibility to adjust work schedules and priorities. Capacity to work effectively under pressure.
• Discretion, good sense of judgement and capacity to deal efficiently and tactfully with people of different cultural backgrounds.
• Excellent computer skills; proficiency in the use of MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc.) and database manipulation.

LANGUAGES

• Excellent knowledge of English or French and good knowledge of the other language.

EDUCATION

• General secretarial and/or administrative training.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Working experience in similar function within UN system.

SKILLS/COMPETENCIES

• Excellent copy-editing and proofreading skills.
• Knowledge of UNESCO rules, administrative procedures and standard practices.

LANGUAGES

• Good knowledge of another official UNESCO language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish).