UNV Jobs - 17772- Administrative Assistant

Administrative Assistant

Advertised on behalf of

UNV

Location :

Abuja, NIGERIA

Type of Contract :

UNV

Starting Date :

01-Aug-2010

Application Deadline :

15-Jul-10 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

UNV

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year

Languages Required :

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP 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. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development, and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers.

In most cultures volunteerism is deeply embedded in long-established, ancient traditions of sharing and support within the communities. In this context, UNV volunteers take part in various forms of volunteerism and play a role in development and peace together with co-workers, host agencies and local communities.

In all assignments, UNV volunteers promote volunteerism through their action and conduct. Engaging in volunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich their understanding of local and social realities, as well as create a bridge between themselves and the people in their host community. This will make the time they spend as UNV volunteers even more rewarding and productive.

The JMDI Projects in Nigeria

Nigeria, as one of the beneficiaries of the fund, received enough funds to support concrete interventions in four priority areas: 1) Migrant remittances; 2) Migrant communities; 3) Migrant capacities; 4) Migrant rights. The projects are being implemented by consortia of non-state actors linking migrant host, transit and sending countries. Each consortium needed to have a partner based in the European Union and one in one of the sixteen target countries: Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt; Cape Verde, Nigeria, Ghana, Mali, Senegal, Ethiopia; Ecuador and Jamaica; Georgia and Moldova; Sri Lanka and the Philippines. A Call for Proposals was made in September 2008 and 45 applications were received and only 19 were eligible. At the end only four projects were approved.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Deputy Country Director (Programmes), the EC-UN JMDI Focal Officer and the JMDI National Committee, the UNV would support in execution of JMDI project implementation in the CO, supports the beneficiaries of the funds in planning and management of their projects. The UNV would promote a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

She/he will work in close collaboration with the programme and operations project teams in the CO and JMDI Brussels for resolving complex programme-related issues and information delivery.

Other Key functions would include

To ensure the communication and coordination with the Committee JMDI Program Management Unit (PMU) based in Brussels, in collaboration with the JMDI National Committee
To organize periodic meetings with the JMDI National Committee for information sharing
To develop a communication strategy for disseminating information about the initiative for interested stakeholders (national institutions, media, civil society, etc.) and to organize communication events as identified in the communication strategy
To ensure monitoring and evaluation of the 4 selected projects, including field missions to assess the progress and achievement of expected results
To give technical assistance to applicants whenever requested
To participate actively in the JMDI knowledge fairs
To identify and to share challenges, success stories, lessons learned and good practices throughout the program

Furthermore, UNV volunteers are encouraged to:

Strengthening their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and taking active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark IVD);
Getting acquainted with and building on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
Reflecting on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
Contributing articles/write-ups on field experiences and submitting them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
Assisting with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UNV volunteers;
Promoting or advising local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encouraging relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/Expected Output:

The key results is expected to have an impact on the overall CO efficiency in being able to manage the joint initiative with the European Commission and the success in implementation of project objectives.

A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during your assignment such as specific quantification of mobilized volunteers, activities, capacities.

Competencies

Competencies and Critical Success Factor

Corporate Competencies
- Commitment to UN mission, vision and values
- Displays social, cultural and gender sensitivity and adaptability

Functional Competencies
- Knowledge Management and Learning
- Ability to identify useful knowledge and experiences to be shared
- Aptitude to work towards continuing personal learning and to apply newly acquired skills
- Operational Effectiveness
- Ability to perform standard tasks, including (i) secretariat tasks (drafting and reporting).), (ii) analytical tasks (collecting and verifying information, both narrative and financial) and (iii) logistical tasks (organization of events), and programmatic tasks (monitoring and evaluation)
- Development issues
- Knowledge of UN cross-cutting issues (Gender Equality, Environmental Sustainability, Capacity Building, Results Based Management and Human Rights Based Approach)
- Leadership and Self-Management
- Decides and initiates action
- Formulates strategies and concepts
- Presents and communicates information
- Adapts and responds to change
Focuses on result for the partner and responds positively to feedback

Required Skills and Experience

Education: University Degree in Law, Social Sciences and Sciences required. Also, degree in accounting, public administration and economics are also desirable.

Experience: Minimum 2 years of progressively responsible administrative or programme experience is required at the national or international level. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.

Language Requirements: Fluency in the UN and national language of the duty station.