Programme Assistant (Temporary)

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Thematic Support Section (TSS) of the Corruption and Economic Crime Branch (CEB), Division for Treaty Affairs (DTA) of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in Vienna. The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Chief, Thematic Support Section, and the overall guidance of the Chief of CEB.

Responsibilities

Within assigned authority, the Programme Assistant will support the sound financial management of the Branch’s extra-budgetary and regular budget funds in compliance with United Nations’ Financial rules and regulations and provide administrative support to programme delivery, and in this respect, be responsible for the following specific duties: • Provide general office assistance; respond to complex information requests and inquiries; review, log and route incoming correspondence; set up and maintain files/records; organize meetings, workshops; handle routine administrative tasks, such as maintaining attendance records, assessing telephone billing etc.; • Serve as focal point for administrative coordination of programme/project implementation activities, involving extensive liaison with diverse organizational units to initiate requests, obtain necessary clearances, process and follow up on administrative actions, e.g. recruitment and appointment of personnel in Inspira, including hiring of consultants, travel arrangements, training/study tours, authorization of payments, disbursement of funds, and procurement of equipment and services; • Compile and analyze basic data from a variety of sources (including UMOJA), summarizing and presenting conclusions for review by the responsible programme officers; • Assist in the coordination of programme/project planning and preparation work for, typically, a medium-size and complex component of the departmental programme/project initiatives; monitor status of programme/project proposals and receipt of relevant documentation for review and approval; • Compile, summarize and present basic information/data on specific programmes/projects and related topics or issues; • Compile, summarize and enter data on project delivery; draft related status reports, identify shortfalls in delivery, budget overruns etc. and bring to the attention of management; • Draft correspondence on budget-related issues and prepare and update periodic reports, briefing notes, graphic and statistical summaries, accounting spreadsheets etc.; • Draft a variety of correspondence and other communications for signature/approval related to all aspects of programme implementation. Assist with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making; • Assist with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures; • Perform other work-related duties as assigned.

Competencies

Professionalism: Has knowledge of internal policies, processes and procedures generally and in particular those related to general office and administrative support, programme/project administration, implementation and evaluation, technical cooperation, programming and budgeting. Understands the functions and organization of the work unit and of the organizational structure and respective roles of related units. Is able to identify and resolve a range of issues/problems and to work well with figures, undertake basic research and gather information from standard sources. Demonstrates ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given. Has ability to perform analysis, modelling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of experience in administrative-, including conference- and project/program- support or related area is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to three for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. Experience organizing meetings and trainings, including meetings held abroad, is desirable. Work experience with the in-house SAP (Umoja) is desirable. Work experience assisting with the recruitment of personnel is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This position is temporarily available until 26 September 2025. The filling of this position and its actual duration are subject to funding availability. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. The movement of staff members from the General Service and related categories to the Professional category in the United Nations Secretariat is exclusively allowed through the Young Professionals Programme competitive examinations. Only a few staff members pass the competitive examinations. Passing the competitive examinations does not guarantee movement to the Professional category. For further information, please visit https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=GP

United Nations Considerations

According to 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. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

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