Programme Assistant
OVERVIEW
Post Number : 1ITSC 1049TP
Grade : G-5
Parent Sector : Natural Sciences Sector (SC)
Duty Station: Trieste
Job Family: General Administrative Support
Type of contract : Fixed Term
Duration of contract : 2 years
Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 19-JAN-2022
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
Long Description
Only candidates who are entitled to work in the E.U. can apply for this position.
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
Founded in 1964 by the late Nobel Laureate Abdus Salam and located in Trieste (Italy), the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) seeks to accomplish its mandate by providing scientists from developing countries with the continuing education and skills that they need to enjoy long and productive careers. ICTP has been a major force in stemming the scientific brain drain from the developing world. For more than 50 years, ICTP has been a driving force behind global efforts to advance scientific expertise in the developing world.
Under the overall authority of the Director, ICTP and the direct supervision of the Unit Head, the incumbent provides secretarial and administrative support to ICTP programmes and events throughout their organizational phases, facilitates organization of activities and accomplishment of administrative procedures of the respective organizational unit of the Centre. Essential responsibilities include:
Long Description
-
Act as the administrative focal point for the Unit and/or joint fellowship programme with another institutions (such as IAEA, TRIL, etc.). Advise and provide guidance and support to the programmes, scientific staff, as well as visitors and fellows on UNESCO and ICTP administrative and operative requirements, policies, guidelines and procedures. Provide training to and coordinate the work of more junior administrative staff.
-
Provide administrative and induction briefings for staff and visitors. Keep Unit staff informed of any changes to procedures and guidelines.
-
Monitor the respect of rules and requirements agreed to with donors of funded programmes and alert as necessary on any potential
conflict with UNESCO and ICTP policies. Prepare reports and specific statistical data on the activities of the Unit. -
Collaborate with other offices to organize travel arrangements for visitors and staff, initiate procurement, HR contract requests for external scientists, hospitality and other administrative requests, monitor the relevant approval process, and crosscheck outstanding data and invoices for payment.
-
Prepare and proofread a variety of written documents for content, completeness, grammatical and typographical accuracy and compliance with guidelines
-
Provide assistance to allotment holders in the correct use of the allotted funds and prepare cost estimates. Monitor the use of funds and ensure compliance with approved amounts and guidelines. Provide necessary data to Budget and Finance Unit for financial reports preparation. For activities held outside ICTP, prepare requests to the Budget and Finance Unit for fund reservations and for requests of transfers of funds to institutes abroad.
-
As required, prepare the organization and advertising of scientific events held in-house and outside ICTP, as well as programmes within the Unit for worldwide distribution. Maintain activity/research group web-pages.
-
Keep the ICTP working tool for visitor management up to date, review and ensure the quality control of the data. Update and code financial/visit status and function.
-
Issue of invitation letters, register incoming visitors and provide assistance necessary during their stay by proactively interacting with other Sections/Units/Offices. Ensure completion of necessary out-processing requirements upon completion of the visit.
-
For the events held outside ICTP, liaise with partner institutes to verify conditions in the institution hosting the event and coordinate the organizational aspects of the events in line with local standards and regulations.
-
As required, liaise with external parties/agencies on the external funding of assigned activities, provide administrative support to fund-raising initiatives. Prepare applications for funding ensuring they are in line with ICTP rules and regulations and with the requirements of the funding partners/agencies, as well as following up on related administrative matters.
Long Description
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
-
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
- Completed secondary, technical and/or vocational school.
WORK EXPERIENCE
- At least five (5) years of relevant working experience in secretarial and/or administrative function.
- Experience dealing with budgetary and administrative issues.
SKILLS/COMPETENCIES
- Ability to work quickly and efficiently under pressure, with minimum supervision, and to sustain limited periods with workload peaks.
- Ability to quickly switch full attention between subjects.
- Knowledge of standard office computer applications (MS Office, SAP, etc.).
- Ability to prioritize, plan and organize own work in order to respect deadlines.
- High level of reliability with a responsive and service-minded attitude and behaviour.
- Tact and ability to work harmoniously with visitors and staff members of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds.
- Excellent communications skills (oral and written), including excellent drafting skills in English.
LANGUAGES
- Excellent knowledge (spoken and written) of English and Italian.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
WORK EXPERIENCE
- Experience in an international environment.
LANGUAGES
- Knowledge of another UN official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Only candidates who are entitled to work in the E.U. may apply to these positions. Please note that for this position UNESCO will not reimburse expenses such as travel in connection with interviews, tests and relocation.
BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS
UNESCO’s salaries consist of a basic salary and other benefits which may include if applicable: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, pension plan etc.
For more information in benefits and entitlements, please consult ICSC website.
SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.
The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview.
UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.
Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.
Footer
"UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts."
"UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process".