Background

This position is located in the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Country Office in Abuja, Nigeria (CONIG).Working under the overall guidance of the UNODC  Finance Officer and under the direct supervision of the UNODC  Administrative Associate, the  incumbent will assist in the general operations and execution of the UNODC Country Office activities in relation to the 3 European Union (EU) funded projects.

Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will carry out the following tasks:

• Provides administrative and clerical support to the process of preparation and drafting of project ideas, work plans, budgets, revisions, progress reports and summaries.
• Maintains all  proper filing system.  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.
• Assists in the preparation of documents for use in the formulation of the work plans, progress reports, and periodic reviews with national counterparts
• Assists in the development of contacts with Government institutions and authorities, local representatives of other United Nations organizations, NGOs, civil society organizations, resource persons and the media regarding UNODC mandates and project matters.
• Collects, assesses and analyses information related to the projects in view of providing background and/or complementary information for future project proposals as well as projects underway; regular inputs into relevant information networks, including creation and maintenance of institutional and individual regional expert rosters (databases), and additional information as requested.
• Maintains records on the general political situation of Nigeria and on all drugs and criminal justice related events and developments of relevance to the projects.
• Assists in the updating of internal records of donor assistance provided to Nigeria and the in the area of drugs, crime and justice sector..
• Assistance in the organization of seminars, workshops and training activities on UNODC related issues in Nigeria.
• Assists in the preparation of terms of reference, programmes and logistics for visiting experts, missions, delegations, and donor representatives through liaison with local and oversees UN staff and government authorities.
• Maintains CONIG’s projects and office activities
• Liaise with UNDP and other UN-related organizations to implement UNODC projects.
• Provides advice and assist staff members and their dependants by processing requests for visas, identity cards, driving licenses and other necessary personnel-related documents in accordance with the requirements of the United Nations and the country of the duty station location.
• Makes travel and hotel reservations, prepares travel orders and assembles information pertinent to the purpose of travel.
• Advises and makes arrangements for shipment and receipt of office and project supplies and equipment and household effects; including customs clearance.
• Provide support  to the UNODC Security Focal Point on UNODC’s personnel security.
• Assist in procurement processes and proper assets management, monitoring,recording and disposal.
• Performs other duties (such as general correspondence, attendance at meetings, minutes of meetings, reports, follow-up, etc.) as required.

Competencies

Professionalism:

• Sound knowledge and understanding of concepts and approaches relevant to budgetary and financial management; demonstrable knowledge of database administration;
  
• Knowledge of the financial rules and regulations of the United Nations as well as familiarity with UN policies and procedures as they relate to programme budgeting and financial administration;
  
• Demonstrable commitment to the values of the United Nations, particularly integrity in daily activities and behaviors; demonstrated professional competence and mastery of administrative processes;
• Ability to perform a range of administrative functions, including event planning and organizing and human resources administration;
• Ability to map out potential risks and make contingencies, as required.
  
• Shows pride in work and achievements;
• Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
• Motivated by professional rather than personal concerns;
• Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges.

Accountability:

• Takes ownership of responsibilities and honours commitments; 
• Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost, and quality standards;
  
• Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules;
• Takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Client Orientation:

• Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect;
• Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions;
• Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; 
• Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to clients.

  Teamwork: 

• Proven interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
  
• Works collaboratively with colleagues within and outside of UNODC 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 & Organizing:

• Able to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor work while prioritizing competing demands; able to work on tight deadlines;
• Knowledge on how to develop clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies;
• Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning;
• Monitors and adjusts plans and projects as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary Education with specialized certification in Personnel Administration, Accounting and Finance

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in administrative assistance of project implementation and management preferably in a civil service, NGO, or international organisation environment. Computer literacy, specifically advanced skills in MS Office Suite. Work experience in the United Nations System or European Union -funded projects would be an asset.

Language:

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of other UN official languages is an asset.

The UN is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.