Executive Assistant(G5)

Executive Assistant(G5) – (2025/0446 (004271))

Organization

: NAFA-Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture

Primary Location

: Austria-Vienna-Vienna-IAEA Headquarters

Job Posting

: 2025-10-24, 2:31:21 PM

Closing Date

: 2025-11-14, 10:59:00 PM

Duration in Months: 36

Contract Type: Fixed Term – Regular

Probation Period: 1 Year

Full Competitive Recruitment: Yes

This selection exercise may be used to generate a roster of pre-approved candidates to address future staffing needs for similar functions in any of the Departments and Offices of the Organization.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING APPLICATION DEADLINE: Please note that the closing date for submission of applications is indicated in local time as per the time zone of the applicant’s location.

Organizational Setting

The Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications implements the IAEA’s Major Programme 2, “Nuclear Techniques for Development and Environmental Protection”. This Major Programme comprises individual programmes on food and agriculture, human health, water resources, environment and radiation technologies. These programmes are supported by laboratories in Seibersdorf, Monaco and Vienna. The Major Programme’s objective is to enhance the capacity of Member States to meet basic human needs and to assess and manage the marine and terrestrial environments through the use of nuclear and isotopic techniques in sustainable development programmes.

The Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture assists Member States of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the IAEA in using nuclear techniques and related technologies to improve food security, alleviate poverty and promote sustainable agriculture. The Joint Centre consists of five Sections, each with an associated laboratory (located in Seibersdorf, 45 km south-east of Vienna), in the areas of: animal production and health; plant breeding and genetics; insect pest control; soil and water management and crop nutrition; and food safety and control.

Main Purpose

The Executive Assistant manages the office support in the Division, ensuring its smooth functioning, and provides executive assistance to the Director.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Correspondence and Records Management

• Receive, review and screen all incoming correspondence and documents, perform preliminary checks for accuracy and completeness, and ensure that correspondence is routed to the appropriate officer or area for action and/or information, retaining items which require the Director’s attention, attaching information as needed and maintaining a follow-up system.
• Compile the Division’s responses and reports according to corporate communication guidelines and ensure adherence to deadlines; draft standard and non-routine correspondence, prepare meeting minutes and type reports and documents as required.
• Ensure the Division’s records of all media are maintained, stored and accessible according to corporate standards. As the Records Office Coordinator (ROC), assign and coordinate Records Office responsibilities, identify and recommend to ARMS (Archives and Records Management Section) process improvements relating to correspondence and records management, liaise with ARMS staff on records management issues, provide information to colleagues on records management standards and practices, facilitate electronic and paper file transfers and retrievals, and monitor records management exit procedures.
• Identify and recommend related process improvements, utilizing central services and technology.

Meetings and logistics

• Coordinate activities and travel — provide logistical support for the Director’s activities, such as making travel arrangements, scheduling appointments and meetings and assembling background material required for the above activities.
• Review travel requests for accuracy and forwarding to the Administrative Assistant. Prepare quarterly travel plans.

Administrative activities

• Maintain the Time, Attendance and Leave Management System (TALMS) for the Division and manage overall administration of the Director’s office (procurement, supplies, equipment, and furniture requests).
• Maintain, update and monitor some of the Division’s costs, such as printing, translation and publications requests.
• Administer the office space arrangements of the Division and maintain awareness of secure areas.
• Provide guidance, instruction, and support to other General Service staff throughout the Division/Office and coordinate such assignments as office coverage.
• Provide required support and/or backup to staff in executive offices.
• Provide backup to the Administrative Assistant.

Competencies and Expertise

Core Competencies(Competency Framework)

NameDefinition

Communication

Communicates orally and in writing in a clear, concise and impartial manner. Takes time to listen to and understand the perspectives of others and proposes solutions.

Achieving Results

Takes initiative in defining realistic outputs and clarifying roles, responsibilities and expected results in the context of the Department/Division’s programme. Evaluates his/her results realistically, drawing conclusions from lessons learned.

Teamwork

Actively contributes to achieving team results. Supports team decisions.

Planning and Organizing

Plans and organizes his/her own work in support of achieving the team or Section’s priorities. Takes into account potential changes and proposes contingency plans.

Functional Competencies

NameDefinition

Analytical thinking

Gathers and analyses information, identifying critical relationships and patterns among data and proposes workable solutions.

Client orientation

Establishes effective relationships with clients to understand and meet or exceed their needs. Finds ways to ensure client satisfaction.

Resilience

Able to remain calm in emotionally charged situations. Accepts constructive feedback in a positive manner and is able to cope with setbacks.

Required Expertise

FunctionNameExpertise Description

Administrative Support

Correspondence and Written Communication

Ability to draft routine correspondence and correct documents in accordance with established standards and requirements

Administrative Support

Discretion and Respect for Confidentiality

Ability to act with tact, diplomacy, discretion and respect for confidentiality

Administrative Support

Guidance and Training

Ability to provide training and guidance to newly recruited office support staff, advising them on the administrative practices and procedures

Administrative Support

MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)

Proficiency in MS Office 2010 and the ability to use databases

Qualifications, Experience and Language skills

• Completed secondary education.
• Minimum of five years of general office support experience, some of which in an international environment.
• Excellent oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is an asset.
• Administrative skills test to IAEA standard may be part of the process.

Remuneration

The IAEA offers an attractive remuneration package including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at EUR 57876 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), 6 weeks’ annual vacation, pension plan and health insurance. More information on the conditions of employment can be found at: https://www.iaea.org/about/employment/general-service-staff

General Information

• The IAEA’s paramount consideration in the recruitment of staff member is to secure employees of the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity.
• Staff Members shall be selected without any unfair treatment or arbitrary distinction based on a person’s race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, age, language, social origin or other similar shared characteristic or trait.
• The IAEA is committed to gender equality and to promoting a diverse workforce.
• Recruitment will be on a LOCAL BASIS only.
• Applicants should be aware that IAEA staff members are international civil servants and may not accept instructions from any other authority. The IAEA is committed to applying the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mandate. As part of the United Nations common system, the IAEA subscribes to the following core ethical standards (or values): Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for diversity.
• The IAEA has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and the IAEA, including sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.

Evaluation process

• The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the selection criteria stated in the vacancy announcement. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information. Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise, which may be followed by a competency-based interview.
• Candidates under serious consideration for selection may be subject to reference and background checks as part of the recruitment process.

Appointment information

• Appointment is subject to a satisfactory medical report.
• Staff members may be assigned to any location.
• The IAEA retains the discretion not to make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade or with a different contract type, or to make an appointment with a modified job description or for shorter duration than indicated above.

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