Administration Senior Assistant

Located in Nairobi, Kenya, the Kenya Multi Country Office manages a growing portfolio of engagements, including associated strategic and operational risks. The KEMC/East and Southern Africa sub-region currently consists of an established Operation Centre in Nairobi/Kenya which manages a portfolio of engagements in multiple countries in East and Southern Africa. This includes transactional projects in partnership with the Nairobi based UN Agencies, UN-Habitat and UNEP, and multiple ‘operational’ projects in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and several island states.

In 2020 KEMC established an Office in Lusaka, Zambia. The Government of Zambia (GoZ) has prepared the Irrigation Development Support Project (IDSP, P102459, IDA Credit #48740) in the amount of SDR74.70 million (US$115 million), approved in April 2011 by the World Bank. The Project’s original objective was to increase yields per hectare and value of diverse products marketed by smallholders benefitting from investments in irrigation in selected sites served by the project.” Originally the project had four components (i) Irrigated Agriculture Support Services, (ii) Public Infrastructure; (iii) Private and Cooperative Investment; and (iv) Management and Coordination. 

In March 2020, the government requested Additional Funding of US$ 30 million and a time extension of 24 months to allow: (i) the completion of the ongoing works under IDSP and cost replenishment (US$ 14 million); (ii) the implementation of Phase 2 of the remedial works for ten dams (US$ 15 million) and (iii) Drought Emergency Response (USD 1 million). 

Ten dams have been built on selected rivers in Zambia as a part of the Zambia Water Resources Development Project (WRDP). These are all earth fill dams, with walls varying in height from 8 m and 10.7 m. Four of the dams were pre-existing and were rehabilitated while the remainder were new dams. Most of the construction was completed between 2016 and 2018. In late 2018, work was stopped due to persistently poor performance by the contractors. A performance review of dam safety and safeguard concerns, including a review of all safeguard instruments, was undertaken for each dam site to guide the requirements for completion of remedial work under the Additional Financing. 

The dams now present risks to the local communities and the Government and the World Bank (“Funder”) want to have these dams secured and retrofitted. The remediation works will be financed by the WB through the IDSP. IDSP engaged UNOPS as implementing partner in a Phase 1 to provide services including  planning (support of surveillance and emergency preparedness) for 10 dams and design, updating of environmental and social safeguards documentation to comply with WB social and environmental policies for 10 dams and tendering of the works for 10 dams. 

In Phase 2, UNOPS role will be implementing the identified solutions and lead on the remedial and rehabilitation works on the 10 dams.

Under the direct supervision of the project support officer and under the overall guidance from the Head of Support Services, the Administration Senior Assistant provides support to office operations performing a variety of standard administrative processes, ensuring high quality and accuracy of work. 

1. Administrative Support
2. Travel and Logistics
3. Inventory, Asset and Supply Management, Custodial, Common Premises
4. Knowledge Building and Knowledge Sharing

1. Administrative Support 

• Researches and retrieves statistical data from internal and external sources; prepares statistical charts, tables and reports, extracting data from various sources.

• Follows up on deadlines, commitments made, actions taken and coordination of collection and submission of the reports to head of unit.

• Provides administrative support to conferences, workshops, retreats.

• Compiles information for periodic audits.

• Petty cash management.

• Protocol 

2. Travel and Logistics 

• Processes travel transactions (authorizations and claims) including in OneUNOPS system, requests for visas, identity cards and other documents for all personnel, UN officials, and visitors, ensuring compliance with UN rules and regulations.

• Provides information on air services, rates and travel schedules for specific itineraries.  Processes travel claims in OneUNOPS and purchase orders for travel activities, payments, and contracts.

• Organizes  shipments, customs clearance arrangements, preparation of documents for UNOPS shipments (received/sent), all necessary documentation, and implementation of follow-up actions

• Prepares documentation for security clearances, processes hotel reservations, organizes airport pickups , hospitality, protocol, customs and immigration support for visiting UN/UNDP officials as necessary

• Provides support with respect to protocol issues and requests for official documentation, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Punctual delivery of official protocol certificates; arrangements with UN departments for all issues related to official documentation to be provided to/from international staff, such as visa requirements, work permit, security requirements, health, etc.

• Arrangements with UN departments for official documentation to be provided for import/export or transfer of goods

• Establishment and maintenance of efficient working relationship with government ministries.

• Provision of accurate and comprehensive information to staff on the supporting documents needed by staff and his/her dependants, and import/export or transfer of goods; updated list of the required documents made available to each staff member/unit 

• Individual monitoring sheet to track the status of submitted documentation for each staff member and dependants, ensuring that official documentation matches the announced schedule

• Accurate information provided to individual/unit upon request on administrative steps required and the status of his/her project file, 

• Accurate and timely information on processes and pending issues to the concerned individuals/unit 

• May supervise transportation services including client service, regular vehicle maintenance, insurance, and monitoring of consumption.

• Promptly reports and investigates vehicle accidents, damage, loss or theft of items; update and maintenance of vehicle history report.

• Supervises external contractor for transportation services, including client service and processing of invoices.

3. Inventory, Asset Management, Custodial, Common Premises, and general Support 

• Conducts physical inventory checks, drafting periodic inventory and asset reports. 

• Acts as a custodian for management of office stationery supplies including maintenance of stock list of stationery, distribution of stationery as required by staff and keeping a log of distribution.  

• Conducts and reports on surveys of office maintenance needs as well as client satisfaction

• Collects information for administrative surveys in support to the organization of common services.

4. Knowledge building and Knowledge sharing

• Supports the organization and delivery of training and learning initiatives for personnel on Administration-related topics.

• Provides sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice by synthesizing of lessons learnt and dissemination of best practices in Administration.

• Contributes feedback, ideas, and internal knowledge about processes and best practices and utilize productively

• Maintains unit’s documentation including records and files, ensuring safekeeping of confidential materials

Impact of Results

The effective and successful achievement of results by the Administration Senior Assistant directly affect the overall efficiency of the team’s administrative services, impacting the office’s capacity to efficiently and effectively service the operational needs of the office/programme. Timely and accountable delivery of services, ensures client satisfaction and promotes the image and credibility of the team and office as an effective service provider in project services and management.  This enhances UNOPS’ competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services in the country/region served.

• Completion of secondary school with five (5) years of experience is required;

• Diploma Certificate in Business Administration, Public Administration or equivalent disciplines with two (2) years of relevant professional experience disciplines may be accepted;

• First University Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration or equivalent disciplines will be an added advantage.

• Minimum of five years of relevant experience in general administrative, or operations’ support services in national or international public or corporate organizations is required;

• Some experience in UN system organizations is desirable;

• Proficiency in handling of web-based management systems is required;

• Experience in use of Enterprise systems including OneUNOPS is desirable;

• Experience in google suit applications will be an asset.

• Fluency in written and oral English is required.

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• 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 (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

• This is a local post. As such, it is only open to Zambia Nationals or persons with valid residence permits
• This position is based in a family duty station

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.