Administration Associate (Retainer)

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.  UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects.  Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.

Background information - job specific

• Completion of secondary education (high school or equivalent) is required.
• A first-level university degree (e.g. Bachelor) in business administration, international relations, international development, economics, social sciences or any related field may be considered as a substitute for four (4) years of work experience..
• Advanced higher degree (Master’s or equivalent) in a relevant area is an advantage and may substitute for six (6) years of work experience.

• At least 6 years of professional work experience with a secondary school education (2 years with a first-level university degree) at the national and/or international level in project management, business development, business development, office administration or other relevant fields are required.
• Experience working in the UN or other international development organization is an asset;
• Excellent oral and written skills are required
• Accuracy and professionalism and attention to details in document production and editing is required;
• Strong planning and coordination skills are required;
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a fast-paced environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; including external stakeholders as required
• Experience in the use of Google Suite is an advantage;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision and to meet tight deadlines

Contract type: ICA (Individual Contractor Agreement)
Contract level: Local ICA Specialist, Level 6
Contract duration: 100 working days per year

More information about retainer contracts:

• This retainer position is home based meaning you can work from anywhere that you already have the legal right to live/work.
• The functions/responsibilities/key results of this job description are generic and may not always be applicable, nor be comprehensive, for all activities under this job title. 
• Whilst the successful incumbent can be based in different time-zones, they should be able and willing to ensure a degree of time overlap with the team they are working with.
• As a UNOPS ICA retainer, you are required to complete at least two (2) online courses upon signature of your contract and prior to commencing any retainer assignment. If you travel on an official mission, you are required to complete an online course related to security awareness. These courses are available for free on UNOPS learning platform and shall be completed within the first three months following the contract signature, at no cost for UNOPS. UNOPS reserves the right to request a refresher of the mandatory courses or request newly promulgated mandatory courses to be completed at no cost for UNOPS.
• For more information on a retainer contract, click here.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 

• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions 

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 

• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.