Jobs and Careers

JOB DESCRIPTION : 

Operational Context:
Following a rapid expansion of the UNHCR operation in Armenia, the office currently consists of some 40 staff members, international and national. The Associate Administrative Officer reports directly to the Representative. He/ she supervises the Administrative Unit of the office and provides administrative support to the functional and operational units of the office. The incumbent also works closely with other UN sister agencies in terms of seeking joint solutions for issues in the area of administration including in ensuring UNHCR integration in the local UN Business Operations Strategy.

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships:
The Associate Administrative Officer is responsible for supporting the Office/ Bureau in the implementation of general administrative and resource management tasks. He/ she will work quite independently on regular assignments with an oversight from the supervisor, who will provide general guidance and work plans for identifying work priorities and appropriate approaches; work is controlled for meeting expected results. He/ she will establish and maintain efficient administrative control mechanisms to ensure compliance with UN administrative, financial and human resources rules and procedures. Contacts on administrative/ budgetary related issues are mainly with Sections/ Units/ Offices within the organization both at HQ and in the Field and with local suppliers/ services to ensure provision of services and resolution of difficult problems. Frequent external contacts with counterparts in other organizations or at working level in national Governments on issues of importance to Organization’s programmes. He/ she acts as adviser or representative of the Organization with authority to discuss problems and seek common ground on which to recommend solutions based on predetermined guidelines provided by higher authority. The incumbent directly supervises general service staff.

RESPONSIBILITIES : 

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR’s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity. The Associate Administrative Officer is responsible for the following:
- Contribute to the provision of resources (human, material and services) necessary to support the day-to-day activities of the staff in the office;
- Monitor the day-to-day personnel and administrative operations of the office;
- Provide advice on personnel and administrative policies and procedures;
- Assist with the implementation of processes and procedures to improve and strengthen internal controls in line with UNHCR rules and regulations;
- Participate in the recruitment and appointment process and assist with administrative formalities concerning local General Service staff;
- Coordinate training and capacity-building activities to staff in administrative related areas;
- Assist with the preparation of staffing and administrative budget requirements for the office;
- Assist in the competitive procurement process for selecting, awarding and issuing local contracts, in line with UNHCR regulations, rules and procedures;
- Facilitate the mission travel of staff, including following up on travel authorizations, bookings, tickets;
- Monitor the quality and timeliness of goods and services delivered to the office;
- Manage contracts and relations with suppliers;
- In coordination with Human Resources and Field Security, undertake periodic reviews to ensure that the Office premises are set up and staff accommodation are managed in line with the organizational policies and any related issues are brought to the attention of DHR;
- Perform other job-related duties as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS : 

Minimum Qualifications:
- Education and professional work experience: For P2/NOB - 3 years of relevant experience with undergraduate degree; or 2 years of relevant experience with graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with doctorate degree;
- Field(s) of education: Public or Business Administration, Economics, or other relevant field;
- Relevant job experience: Work experience in at least one of the following fields: Human Resources, Administration, Budget, Finance, and Procurement;
- Excellent computer skills, in particular in MS Office applications;
- Language requirements for national professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station, if not English and local language.

Desired Qualifications:
- At least 1 year of working experience in an intergovernmental organization (United Nations or similar). Good knowledge of UNHCR’s administrative rules and procedures. Working experience with PeopleSoft/ Oracle Financial and/ or HR modules.

Functional Skills:
- AD-Administration;
- FI-Financial Management;
- FI-Funds Monitoring/ Identifying Cash Flow Problems;
- MG-Office Management;
- RM-Resource Management;
- UN-UNHCR Financial Rules and Regulations and Procedures.

Competency Requirements:
All jobs at UNHCR require six core competencies and may also require managerial competencies and/ or cross-functional competencies. The six core competencies are listed below:
Core Competencies:
- Accountability;
- Communication;
- Organizational awareness;
- Teamwork and collaboration;
- Commitment to continuous learning;
- Client and result orientation.

Managerial Competencies:
- Managing performance;
- Judgement and decision making;
- Managing resources;
- Empowering and building trust.

Cross-Functional Competencies:
- Planning and organizing;
- Political awareness;
- Analytical thinking.

In addition to the standard job description, more specific requirements include:
- Sound knowledge of UNHCR/ UN administrative rules and regulations in the area of Administration and Finance;
- Proven experience in working with UNHCR tools (MSRP and COMPASS) and knowledge of IPSAS;
- Familiarity with the UN Business Operations Strategy is desirable;
- Ability to build the capacity and support newly recruited staff;
- Proven analytical and communication (oral and written) skills in English and Armenian languages; knowledge of Russian language is an asset;
- Experience in liaising with Government and other external actors;
- Ability to coordinate and interact regularly with country operations across the region;
- Previous experience serving as a member of the Local Contracts Committee is desirable;
- Knowledge of Human Resources related issues is desirable;
- Ability to frequently travel within the country, often at short notice.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES : 

Applicants are invited to fill in the online application. It is very important that all internal applicants update their fact sheets (languages, education and prior working experience) before submitting their applications. External vacancies are posted on the external UNHCR website and applicants who do not have internal status must apply through the external UNHCR website. Application and instructions are provided on www.unhcr.org - Careers - Vacancies - Armenia (Job Opening ID: 26420, Fast Track). No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The position requires functional clearance and the shortlisted candidates will be invited for the web-based test and oral interview. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing or any other fees). For any technical problems encountered during the on-line application, please contact the Global Service Desk at: globalsd@unhcr.org well before the deadline to allow sufficient time for problems to be resolved. For any other type of support, please contact the HR Unit on: armyehr@unhcr.org.

Please clearly mention in your application letter that you learned of this job opportunity through Career Center and mention the URL of its website - www.careercenter.am, Thanks.

REMUNERATION/ SALARY : 

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, please visit the portal of the International Civil Service Commission at: https://icsc.un.org/.

OPEN TO/ ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA : 

Candidates must meet the essential minimum requirements of the position and should be primary nationals of and be locally recruited within Armenia.

INTENDED AUDIENCE : 

UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

ADDITIONAL NOTES : 

Consent:
The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity. 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.

Useful links:
http://un.am/en/agency/UNHCR
https://www.unhcr.org/
https://undg.org/document/united-nations-sustainable-development-cooperation-framework/
https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/
https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/