Administrative Officer

at  UNICEF

Job no: 577148
Contract type: Fixed Term Appointment
Duty Station: Caracas
Level: NO-1
Location: Venezuela
Categories: Administration
UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.
At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.
UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.
Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.
For every child, opportunities
The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nation.
www.unicef.org/venezuela
How can you make a difference?
As focal point of administrative management services in Field office (Bolívar, San Fernando and Maracaibo), the incumbent is accountable for delivery of efficient and cost-effective administrative support services, providing guidance for operations of administrative support services and management of administrative staff. Ensures the office’s administrative operations and services are in compliance with the organization’s administrative policy, procedures, rules and regulations.
1. Policy, procedures and strategies
As functional focal point, accountable for the correct and consistent application of policies and procedures in the assigned administrative functions through the provision of guidance and support to the country office or sub‑office where applicable.
Contributes to strategic planning and monitoring of administrative matters at sub-country level as necessary. Provides practical input on implementation of administrative guidelines, in close coordination with the head of office, operation staff/ supervisor.
Supports supervisor and the head of the office, and updates staff on administrative policies, procedures rules and regulation. Implements the appropriate application and interpretation of administrative rules, regulations, policies and procedures. Briefs and assists arriving and departing staff on basic administrative procedures and requirements.
Makes specific recommendations on the improvement of systems and internal controls, planning, restructuring and resolution of sensitive issues, taking into account the prevailing conditions in the locality.
Keeps supervisor abreast of potential problem areas and identifies and recommends solutions. Prepares reports on administrative matters as required.
Provides administrative support and services to the Field, Sub Offices and Antenas, where applicable, including preparation and funding of service contracts, preparations of PGMs for all administrative supplies and guidance on administrative procedures.
Undertakes missions to field locations to review administrative arrangements and makes appropriate recommendations where applicable.
2. Budget management
Monitors the budget in close coordination with supervisor to ensure that objectives stipulated early in the fiscal year are realized for smooth operations of the office including sub- offices and Antennas where applicable.
Recommends and prepares estimates on office premises, supplies and equipment requirements for budget preparation purposes. Assists the FO, Sub offices and Antennas in the establishment and maintenance of administrative services. Prepares, monitors and controls the administrative budget.
3. Administrative support and services
Undertakes delivery and improvement in administrative support and office services including space management, transport services, vehicle use and maintenance, equipment, conference and travel arrangements, document reproduction, communications, mail and delivery services, local procurement and bill payments of utilities.
Ensures the timely and cost-effective provision of basic office services including space management, equipment, communications and security to enhance staff safety and productivity.
Supports the local Inter-Agency Operations Management Team’s approaches for enhancing UN common services to attain efficiencies and effectiveness.
Helps negotiate and administer matters relating to office premises, utilities and services with vendors and agencies.
4. Property management
Supports property management of administrative supplies, office equipment and vehicles, updating inventory of items, serving as ex-officio member to the Property Survey Board where applicable. Assists supervisor in Property Survey Board submissions, preparing minutes of meetings. Assists supervisor in executing PSB recommendations approved by the Head of Office.
Monitors and supervises adequate and appropriate use of supplies. Ensures that services and maintenance of premises are in accordance with organizational standards.
5. Contract arrangement and control
Ensures that all administrative transactions and arrangements of contracts are in compliance with the applicable policies, procedures, rules and regulations.
Participates in the reviews of the contractual arrangements related to administrative support (i.e. courier, premises maintenance, ancillary administrative support, vehicle maintenance, equipment maintenance etc.) to ensure that the terms and conditions of all contracts are being adhered to by providers of services. Proposes to supervisor any changes that may be required.
Monitors payments against contractual obligations.

KEY END-RESULTS

1. Appropriate interpretation and application of administrative policy and procedures are timely implemented to support operations at the country and sub-country levels.
2. The budget preparation and implementation are properly administered, monitored and controlled in the area of administrative management and services.
3. Management and operations of delivery and improvement in administrative support services are timely and effectively provided, and security arrangements are well established for enhanced safety and security.
4. Property management of administrative supplies, office equipment, vehicles and other properties are effectively performed.
5. All administrative transactions and arrangements of contracts satisfy the requirements as stipulated and are in compliance with the applicable policies, procedures, rules and regulations.
6. Staff capacity is enhanced through active staff learning/development programmes in the area of administrative management and services.
7. Effective working relations are maintained with other agencies, local authorities and implementing partners.
8. Any other assigned administrative management responsibilities and services are effectively carried out and delivered.
   If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Administrative Officer Level 1.pdf

EDUCATION

• University degree in social sciences, business management, administration, finance, or any other relevant field of discipline. Advanced university degree will be considered an asset.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• One year of relevant professional work experience with both national and international work experience in office management, administration, finance, accounting, ICT, human resources, supply, or any other relevant function.
• Work experience in emergency duty station is an asset.
• Experience at the United Nations is a strong asset

Language Proficiency

• Fluency in Spanish is required.
• Working knowledge of English is required.
• Knowledge of local language or another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.

Please refer the Job description for details