Senior Administrative Associate, GS-7, UNICEF Global Shared Services Centre, Budapest, Hungary

Under the supervision of the GSSC Director in the GSSC, the Senior Administrative Associate is responsible for the oversight of the organization and coordination of work for the Director’s office. The role of this post is to provide high-level administrative, budget and secretarial support services in the Director’s office. The role will liaise and coordinate with senior management within the organization as well as with senior officials from other Government and non-Government entities. As the most Senior Administrative Associate, the role is also leading and coordinating the work of Admin Associate cluster group to achieve consistency of all administrative activities and create higher synergies and collaboration within the centre.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, a calling.

We are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do.  Promoting the rights of every child is not a job, it’s a calling.

Established in 2015, UNICEF’s Global Shared Services Centre (GSSC) provides services to UNICEF offices across the world in the areas of Finance, Master Data Management, Human Resources Administration, Payroll, and Customer Care (IT Global Help Desk).

Our mission is to be a center of excellence for the global delivery of efficient services within a culture of customer service, continuous business improvement, knowledge-sharing and innovation to support the effective achievement of UNICEF's programme results worldwide.

We celebrate geographic and gender diversity with our dynamic team of professionals consisting of more than 45 nationalities and considerable number of female and millennials who are committed to the noble mission of UNICEF to serve the children of the world.

At the GSSC, a global career is built on strong foundations of our core values accompanied by continuous learning and professional development in order for our staff to become committed international civil servants.

How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision of the GSSC Director in the GSSC, the Senior Administrative Associate is responsible for the oversight of the organization and coordination of work for the Director’s office. The role of this post is to provide high-level administrative, budget and secretarial support services in the Director’s office. The role will liaise and coordinate with senior management within the organization as well as with senior officials from other Government and non-Government entities.  As the most Senior Administrative Associate, the role is also leading and coordinating the work of Admin Associate cluster group to achieve consistency of all administrative activities and create higher synergies and collaboration within the Centre.  

A successful candidate will be an experienced, detail oriented, organized planner with the demonstrated ability to be a team player and to respond effectively under pressure while maintaining flexibility. The candidate will be skilled at anticipating problems, and at managing multiple priorities and global scheduling needs in a confidential, tactful and diplomatic manner. A positive, client and solutions-oriented attitude in a fast-paced environment is essential.

The Senior Administrative Associate is responsible to ensure the smooth running of the Director’s Office. This involves management of information and strong coordination of complex matters within a substantive team and in collaboration with all staff in the centre. The post is a key interface with a broad range of contacts including high-ranking officials, both within and outside the Organization. The post prioritizes tasks proactively and organizes work independently based on general direction from the GSSC Director.

This will involve…

1. Performing overall administrative, secretarial, and planning support to the centre. Managing immediate office operations with respect to communications, meetings, time management and work flow.

2. Serving as first point of contact in the office for staff, high-level visitors and diplomats and within the organization with other senior management.

3. Preparing correspondence and reports, including correspondence and outlines of schedules or events to support achievement of work objectives.

4. Ensuring well managed and effective office operations, systems and procedures that facilitate team work and the work of the office.

5. Delivering guidance, support and mentorship to Admin Associate cluster group within the centre.

6, Coordinating travel for supervisor and high-ranking visitors.

7. Providing budget and supply support within the Director’s office.

8. Performing other duties as required.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Requirements:

• Completion of secondary education (high school)   
• A minimum of seven (7) years relevant work experience in provision of high level administrative support is required, preferably with the United Nations or other international organization.  A completed university degree from an accredited institution will be counted toward the minimum work experience requirements.
• Advanced knowledge in the Microsoft Suite of Products (including MS Word, MS Excel & MS PowerPoint) 
• Fluency in English (verbal and written)

Assets:

• Previous hands-on experience in planning, organizing and delivering administrative support services to senior executives
• Work experience with a development organization
• Knowledge of UN/UNICEF'S rules, regulations and procedures
• Knowledge of an additional UN Language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish)
• Knowledge of the local language of the duty station

Applicants must be nationals of EU countries or in possession of a valid work permit.  Please attach a copy of your work permit to your application submission.

General Service (GS) staff are locally recruited staff and therefore, candidates are personally responsible for any travel and accommodation arrangements. UNICEF does not facilitate MFA accreditation for locally recruited staff.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

View our competency framework at: http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.