Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA),and is based in Kabul. The Administrative Assistant reports directly to the Senior Political Affairs Officer who is the head of the secretariat for the Doha process working groups on counternarcotics and the private sector. Kabul is classified as a “E” duty station and a non-family duty station.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Administrative Assistant will carry out the following duties: • Responsible for providing all administrative support, including support to travel and meeting arrangements, protocol, budget and finance and recruitment, as well as all other administrative tasks as requested. • Coordinate communications with relevant stakeholders of the working groups. • Maintain a comprehensive login/logout filling system electronically and manually; • Draft and prepare confidential and other correspondence and take dictation for the secretariat; • Screen all incoming and outgoing calls, mail and distribution of documents for the secretariat; • Prepare monthly attendance records of the Office and process monthly telephone/fax bills; • Ensure continued supply of office equipment and stationary; • Maintain a system of follow up on the compliance and directives and completion of time-bound tasks; • Support travel arrangements of all staff in the secretariat; • Improve the presentation of documentation and ensure timeliness of its dispatch through the use of e-mail, fax, etc; • Maintain Electronic Archiving System of filing; • Provide the members of the secretariat with any support and assistance that may be required in the day-to-day discharge of their responsibilities. • Perform other related administrative duties, as required

Competencies

Professionalism – Substantive experience in, and thorough knowledge of, administrative functions (e.g., budget/ work programme, human resources, database management, etc). Extensive knowledge, regarding the application of financial, and staff regulations and rules. The skills and ability to analyze and interpret financial data. Ability to manage processes, maintain accurate records, interpret/analyse a wide variety of data, and identify/resolve data discrepancies and activity problems. Familiarity with all of the unit’s business operations and objectives. High degree of commitment to ensure the proper use of the unit’s financial resources. 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 area of work. Communication – Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. 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 or equivalent diploma is required.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

At least eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience within the United Nations system or the private sector in the field of administrative services, finance, accounting, human resources, audit, or in other related fields is required. Experience in United Nations field operations working in a high-level front office, is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

This is a Trust Fund position temporarily available until February 2026.

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.