Organization: UNON – United Nations Office at Nairobi
Location: Nairobi
Grade: Administrative support – GS-5, General Service – No need for Higher Education – Locally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
Operations and Administrations
Administrative support
Closing Date: 2024-09-25
Org. Setting and Reporting
The United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) is the UN headquarters in Africa and the Director-General of UNON is the representative of the Secretary-General in Kenya. UNON supports programme implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP),the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and the Resident Coordination System (RCS) globally, as well as other UN offices in Kenya, by providing administrative, security, conference and information services (www.unon.org). The post is located in the Facilities Management and Transport Section (FMTS) under Commercial Operations Unit (COU) of UNON. The FMTS oversees the maintenance services (i.e. mechanical, electrical, cleaning, waste management and landscaping) construction works on the Compound and Management of the Commercial Operations Unit (COU). Under the supervision of the Senior Administrative Assistant, the incumbent will be responsible for the following;
Responsibilities
Human Resources Management: • Initiates, processes, monitors, reviews and follows-up on actions related to the administration of the unit’s human resource activities, e.g., recruitment, placement, relocation, promotion, performance appraisal, job classification reviews, separation, training etc., ensuring consistency in the application of regulations and procedures. • Enters, maintains and certifies administrative data and records for time and attendance, performance appraisal, etc. in electronic information systems. • Reviews entitlements-related claims and reports. • Provides advice and guidance to staff with respect to administrative procedures, processes and practices, liaising with central administrative services as necessary. • Maintains and reviews organizational staffing tables; prints and reviews Umoja and Business Intelligence (BI) reports. Budget and Finance: • Monitors status of expenditures and allotments through Umoja and BI, records variations, updates budget tables. • Consolidates data received and provides support to higher-level staff with respect to budget reviews of relevant intergovernmental and expert bodies. Reviews status of relevant expenditures and compares with approved budget. • Reviews requisitions for goods and services to ensure correct commitment items have been charged and availability of funds. • Assists in the preparation of budget performance submissions. • Prepares statistical tables and standard financial reports. • Prepares, processes and follows-up on billing and cost recovery for services rendered. • Recording of income from Commercial Operations Unit (COU) revenue streams. General Administration: • Prepares, processes and follows-up on administrative arrangements and forms related to the official travel of staff. • Drafts routine correspondence. • Maintains files of rules, regulations, administrative instructions and other related documentation. • Maintains up-to-date work unit files (both paper and electronic). • Coordinates extensively with service units and liaises frequently with internal team members. • Performs other related administrative duties, as required, e.g., operational travel programme; monitoring accounts and payment to vendors and individual contractors for services; physical space planning; identification of office technology needs and maintenance of equipment, software and systems; organizing and coordinating administrative arrangements for Workshops and meetings and take minutes. • Orders consumables for the office. • Handles customer queries and complaints in a timely manner by email and telephone. Escalate problems, sensitive issues or concerns to the supervisor. • Oversees the work of Commercial Operations Unit (COU) intern if any and guidance on work assignments as appropriate. • Assists 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. Commissary: • Receives and review applications for access to the UN Commissary and ensure they are in line with rules and regulations governing access. Process new and renewal applications. • Receives and inspect all incoming containers. Follow a checklist to ensure goods received comply with the host Country agreement list of approved categories of goods and ensure that no tampering has taken place. • Processes access to the UN Commissary for UN Gigiri conference delegates as required. Fuel Station: • Receives, reviews, processes and issues Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and Generator card applications for access to the UN Fuel and ensure they are in line with rules and regulations governing issuance of such using the Integrated Fuel Management System (IFMS) provided by the vendor. • Prepares report for banking of revenue from the UNFS. • Receives and inspects Fuel deliveries Check documentation, container seals, dip readings and sign off the documents. UN Events & Wellness Centre (UNEWC): • Processes requisitions/procurement. • Answers customer queries and/or forward the query to the appropriate UNEWC staff or Supervisor to handle more complex client requests. Keep up to date with the UNEWC services e.g. events and membership pricing structure, schedule and price of special services and fitness classes, as well as promotions. • Provides cover at the UNEWC. • Acts as a focal point for COU information and as all round assistance to clients regarding COU services. • Handles the generic email (incoming and outgoing mail). • Performs other duties as assigned by the Supervisor including but not limited to covering for colleagues in the unit during their absences. Contract Administration: • Assists with day-to-day administration of contracts between the UN and external contractors for outsourced services. Example draft contract TORs, monitor contract validity dates/renewals, contract Not to Exceed (NTE) values. • Audits the contractors’ invoices against the goods and services provided by the contractor and approved by the UN. • Processes the payment of contractors’ invoices and monitor payments. • Prepares and processes all UN forms and permissions for contractual and work Unit, Section or Service UN staff, including UN grounds passes, property passes, UN parking permits, swipe-card access and door keys. • Performs other duties as assigned.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to perform a broad range of administrative functions, e.g., budget/work programme, human resources, database management, etc. Ability to apply knowledge of various United Nations administrative, financial and human resources rules and regulations in work situations. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work. 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. PLANNING AND 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.
Education
Completion of secondary education/ high school diploma is required. Additional qualification in front office operations or in achieving client satisfaction service is desirable. Supplementary courses or training in Business Administration or a related field is desirable.
Job – Specific Qualification
Not available.
Work Experience
A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in administrative services, finance, accounting, audit, human resources or related area is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to three (3) years for candidates who possess a first-level University degree. Experience working with vendors and clients in cooperate, local NGO or International organization is required. One (1) year or more of experience in data analytics or related area 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 official United Nations language is desirable. NOTE: ‘Fluency’ equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write and understand) and ‘Knowledge of’ equals a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
Appointment against this position is for an initial period of one year and any extension will be subject to availability of funds. Pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules, appointment against this post is on a local basis. All staff in the General Service and related categories shall be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of each office, irrespective of their nationality and of the length of time they may have been in the country. External candidates will be considered only when no suitable internal candidate from the duty station is identified. The candidate is responsible for any travel expenses incurred in order to take-up the appointment. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. Internal Applicants – when completing the PHP, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. 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. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira “Need Help?” link.
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.