United Nations (UN) is hiring a Temporary Assistant APPLY TODAY
Background
The United Nations is a diplomatic and political international organization whose stated purposes are to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and serve as a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.
Join Our UN WhatsApp Groups for Updates | Join Our WhatsApp Channel for UN Jobs Updates
About UN
The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945 after World War II. It is composed of 193 member states and has its headquarters in New York City, United States. The UN aims to promote peace, security, and cooperation among nations and to address global challenges such as poverty, climate change, human rights violations, and conflicts.
The UN carries out its work through various specialized agencies, programs, and bodies, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). These entities focus on specific areas like health, development, human rights, education, and humanitarian assistance.
The UN also has a General Assembly, where all member states have representation and discuss and make decisions on various global issues. The Security Council, with five permanent members (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) and ten rotating members, has the primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security.
The UN plays a crucial role in coordinating international cooperation, promoting diplomacy, and providing a platform for dialogue among nations. It sets global standards, facilitates negotiations, and supports peacekeeping efforts in conflict-affected regions. The organization’s work encompasses a broad range of areas, including sustainable development, human rights, humanitarian aid, disarmament, and international law.
It’s important to note that the information I provided is accurate up until my last knowledge update in September 2021. There may have been developments or changes in the UN since then.
Why Work At UN
- Global Impact: The UN provides a platform to make a meaningful impact on global issues. Working at the UN allows you to contribute to international peace and security, promote sustainable development, protect human rights, and address humanitarian crises. It offers a chance to work on high-profile initiatives that can make a difference in the lives of people worldwide.
- Multicultural Environment: The UN brings together people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and nationalities. Working in such an environment fosters cross-cultural understanding, promotes diversity, and allows for collaboration with colleagues from around the world. It offers an opportunity to learn from different perspectives and broaden one’s worldview.
- Professional Development: The UN provides numerous opportunities for professional growth and development. It offers a wide range of job functions and career paths, including policy analysis, program management, research, advocacy, humanitarian work, and more. The organization invests in training and capacity-building programs to enhance the skills and knowledge of its staff members.
- Networking and Collaboration: Working at the UN allows individuals to build a global network of professionals, experts, and decision-makers. It offers opportunities to collaborate with governments, NGOs, academia, and other international organizations. This network can be valuable for future career prospects and advancing one’s professional goals.
- Travel and International Assignments: The UN operates in various countries and regions, providing opportunities for travel and international assignments. Working on the ground in different parts of the world allows individuals to gain firsthand experience, understand local contexts, and contribute to development and peacebuilding efforts.
- Competitive Compensation and Benefits: The UN offers competitive salaries and benefits packages to its staff. While specific compensation depends on factors such as job level, location, and years of experience, the organization generally provides financial stability and attractive benefits, including health insurance, pension plans, and leave entitlements.
- Prestige and Recognition: Working at the UN is often seen as prestigious due to the organization’s global reputation and influential role in international affairs. It can provide individuals with a sense of pride and recognition for being part of an organization committed to making a positive impact on the world.
Job Network: Management and Administration
Job Family: Administration
Category and Level: General Service and Related Categories, G-4
Duty Station: BERN
Department/Office: Universal Postal Union (UPU)
Posted Date: April 19, 2024
Deadline: May 6, 2024
Job Responsibilities as an Assistant:
- Assist with routine DACAB/REM and Consultative Committee Programme matters.
- Gather information as instructed.
- Format documents prepared and drafted by the program manager and the team.
- Ensure the distribution and publication of Program documents and other work on the UPU CC webpage.
- Perform traditional secretarial duties such as administering mail and email correspondences (reception, sorting, formatting, and dispatch).
- Ensure the receipt of key information such as contracts and reports.
- Assist with the organization of internal and external meetings/events, including reserving rooms and equipment, sending invitations, and preparing and submitting documents.
- Take responsibility for filing and archiving documents.
- Coordinate travel arrangements, including authorizations, tickets, bookings, visas, trip planning, and documentation, in collaboration with another Assistant.
- Assist in organizing Consultative Committee (CC) CA, POC, and Congress meetings and conferences/events.
- Interface with logistics services for physical meeting organization and organize online meetings or webinars (e.g., MS Teams, Zoom) as requested.
- Gather necessary information for preparing and drafting specific documents, such as CC membership letters, invoices, etc.
- Format documents, ensuring availability of different language versions and timely distribution in required quantities.
- Send out invitations and ensure all relevant information is provided.
Education:
- Completion of secondary school with training in secretarial practices or in the field of commerce, business administration, or accounting (CFC type).
Job-Specific Qualifications:
- Excellent knowledge of secretarial or administrative practices.
- Proficiency in office software tools such as Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
- Good knowledge of Excel.
- Strong understanding of procedures for preparing, distributing, and making meeting and conference documents available.
- Experience in note-taking and reviewing/editing documents in either French or English.
Work Experience:
- Minimum of three years’ initial experience as an assistant.
- Previous experience in an international environment is desirable.
Languages:
- Proficiency in English or French with the ability to communicate in the other language.
- Knowledge of another UN language would be considered an asset.
