Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Office of the Under-Secretary-General, Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). Further information on DESA is available on the following website http://www.un.org/desa. The incumbent reports to the Chief of Office of the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority and under the supervision of the Chief of Office of the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, the Staff Assistant will provide support to the Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) for Economic Development in his broad and diverse responsibilities in the area of coordination of analytical work in the economic and social field. The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: Administrative support to the ASG – handle administrative duties/processes: compile relevant background documents and reference; independently handle a wide range of complex information requests and inquiries; identify issues requiring the ASG’s attention and refers others to the relevant officers for appropriate action; monitor and follow-up on actions to be taken; take responsibility for time management and scheduling on behalf of the ASG with appropriate consultation, as required; organize complex travel arrangements, visa applications, hotel booking; and control quality for outgoing documents. Research – systematically research, retrieve and compile information from a wide variety of sources for use in preparation of reports, briefs, speeches, publications, etc.; identify and sort information of interest to the ASG; archive newspapers, magazines, periodicals and reports from specialized agencies and other sources; create and maintain an electronic database of bibliographies for the ASG; co-operate with divisions, research institutes and other organizations in the collection of data. Publications – assist the ASG in managing the DESA publications. This task includes preparing contracts (if appropriate) for consultants/authors; tracking the workflow; keeping all concerned informed of changes in processing schedules and transmitting changes made by authors to texts in process; coordinating the process of editing and typesetting; organizing training for copy editors; ensuring compliance with general and editorial guidelines; coordinating the production process of publications including liaising with the Department of Global Communications (DGC) and external contractors. Serve as a communications link between ASG and senior staff; convey directives, reports, status updates and other relevant information on behalf of the ASG; bring sensitive and urgent matters to the attention of the ASG. Perform other related work, as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Thorough knowledge of departmental business activities and overall objectives of the broader institutional context in which it operates. In-depth knowledge of UN documentation and relevant operational and administrative policies and procedures; knowledge of UN editorial policies and practices. Ability to research, identify, extract, analyze and organize wide range of data and information required for preparation of reports/papers/publications; proven tact and discretion in dealing with highly confidential and sensitive matters; demonstrated ability to apply good judgement in the context of assignments given. Commitment to improve the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects 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. Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of experience in the areas of administrative support to senior officials, editorial support, collecting and researching data, and official UN document procedures, or related area is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to five years for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. Experience in editing, drafting, research and analytical work is required. Experience in using electronic platforms for filing and/or submitting requests for services (i.e., Unite Doc, iNeed or related), as well as for running of reports is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations 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 starting as soon as possible for six months, with a possibility of extension. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. • While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. • Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. • This position is financed by extrabudgetary resources. The appointment or assignment and renewal is therefore subject to the availability of the funds. • This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. • Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. • Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. • 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.

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.