Senior Administrative Assistant

Standard Job Description

Senior Administrative Assistant Organizational Setting and Work Relationships The Senior Administrative Assistant will provide administrative support to the office where the position is located. The Senior Administrative Assistant normally has no direct supervisory functions though it rests upon the supervisor of the post to make time specific arrangements subject to a given situation. The incumbent normally works under the direct supervision of more senior local or international staff, who is required to monitor the performance of the incumbent and provide regular guidance. S/he may liaise with local suppliers and/or officials and/or Implementing Partners (IPs) on routine subject matters under the direction of the supervisor. All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR is core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties

• Assist in interpreting and processing of entitlements, issuance of contracts and maintenance of various personnel records and files.
• Attend meetings on day-to-day admin matters; administer the movement of UNHCR staff members and monitor their attendance records, leave plans, overtime and visa requirements.
• Search office files and records relating to a variety of topics for information and reference. Select information and records in specified format or on the basis of general instructions for use by others in preparing reports, correspondence, technical papers, project or programme plans and general reference documents.
• Assist in requisition of office supplies, equipment and arrange for distribution together with the appropriate inventory records.
• Assist in administrative formalities related to travel arrangements and issuance/ renewal of visas, licences, travel arrangements and other similar documents.
• Draft correspondence and reports, as required, on general administrative or specialized tasks which may be of a confidential nature within the assigned area of responsibility; Type correspondence, documents and reports, some of which may be highly confidential.
• Arrange appointments and maintain supervisor’s calendar, receive visitors, place and screen telephone calls and answer queries with discretion; Keep lists of names, addresses and telephone numbers of ministers, government officials and members of the diplomatic corps.
• Assist the management to organise and run UNHCR Office and Residential (wherever applicable) compounds.
• Facilitate various official missions of UNHCR staff and other persons of concern to UNHCR.
• Prepare attestations and certificates required by the staff members for signature of senior officer.
• Assist in processing MIP and various other claims by UNHCR staff and other clients of UNHCR.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education & Professional Work Experience Years of Experience/ Degree Level For G5 – 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher Field(s) of Education Not applicable. Certificates and/or Licenses Business Administration, Finance, Office Management, Human Resources, or other related field. (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential) Relevant Job Experience Essential Not specified.
• Desirable Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the position. Functional Skills *IT-Computer Literacy UN-UN/UNHCR Administrative Rules, Regulations and Procedures IT-PeopleSoft Applications (Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential) Language Requirements For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English. For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
• For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English. All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination, and abuse of power.
• As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.
• This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Desired Candidate Profile

• The Senior Administrative Assistant is required to process payments and other finance related tasks. The incumbent of the position is also responsible for the supervision of the drivers and management of the UNHCR vehicles. Given the complexity of the position, the incumbent of the position is expected to have experience in both, administrative and finance, and should be able to work with tight deadlines. He/She should have good command of Excel and Word.
• The incumbent for the position is also responsible for day-to-day management of the office premises, including maintenance and supervision of cleaning services.
• Previous experience within the UN system is desirable. Supervisory experience will be considered as advantage.

Required Languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level)

• Portuguese.

Nature of Position

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is an international organization with the mandate to assist persons in need of international protection; asylum seekers; refugees; statelessness; and internally displaced persons. The UNHCR operation in Mozambique has its main office in Maputo and field offices in Nampula and Pemba. The working language in the UNHCR offices in Mozambique is English. The Senior Administrative Assistant will work under the direct supervision of the Head of Office in Pemba. The incumbent will receive technical guidance from the Finance Officer in Maputo, and will have close cooperation with Admin/Finance team in Maputo. The incumbent of the position will work closely with all Units in Pemba office. The Senior Administrative Assistant is required to process payments and other finance related tasks. The incumbent of the position is also responsible for the supervision of the drivers and management of the UNHCR vehicles. Given the complexity of the position, the incumbent of the position is expected to have experience in both, administrative and finance, and should be able to work with tight deadlines. He/She should have good command of Excel and Word. Previous experience within the UN system is desirable. Supervisory experience will be considered as advantage.

Living and Working Conditions

The position is based in Pemba, the capital of Cabo Delgado Province, in the north of Mozambique. Pemba is a D, Non-Family duty-station. Mozambique has a total population of about 29 million people and Maputo is its capital city. The total area of Mozambique is 799,380 Km square from North to South. It is tropical hot and humid. The hottest and wettest months are December to February, when the average daily minimum temperatures are around 22 °c and the average daily highs of 30 °c. The rain season is between October and April. Winters (June to August) are mild with the average daily temperature ranging from 13 °C to 24 °C. Cabo Delgado is bordering Tanzania, with a population of over 2.2 million individuals according to the 2017 census. The province, considered one of the poorest in the country, was hit by cyclone Kenneth in April 2019, which affected several villages, causing material damage and the displacement of many residents. The province has also been targeted by armed groups that have been attacking local villages since October 2017. The number and intensity of attacks increased consistently in 2020. Communication and transport services are available at various costs. The housing market is healthy but quite expensive (from US$ 800 to US$ 1,500 per month). Pemba has one large supermarket and one international airport. The metical is the local currency and exchange rate stands at USD 1 equivalent to about 72 meticais (MZN) as per October 2020. Pemba has 3 major health facilities: ISOS clinic, CLIDIS private clinic and the Provincial hospital. There is a wide range of Banks and ATMs to meet financial needs. Credit/debit cards are accepted in most places. UNDSS-cleared hotels are available, with the rates differing depending on the availability and season. MOSS compliant apartments are available. The current operational circumstances require frequently long working hours. This is a stressful work context, making capacity for self-care critical. According to the security level system, Cabo Delgado is at level 4. Crime in Pemba and villages outside of the capital is concerning and UN personnel must remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings. Traffic accidents are common in Mozambique due to the poor condition of the roads and poor driving and vehicle standards.

Additional Qualifications

• Skills.
• Education.
• Certifications.
• Business Administration – Other, Finance – Other, Human Resources – Other, Office Management – Other.

Work Experience

Administration, Building Services and Facilities, Finance, Supply/Procurement, Working with Persons of Concern: Asylum Seekers, Working with Persons of Concern: Internally Displaced Persons, Working with Persons of Concern: Refugees.

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Teamwork & collaboration.