SENIOR STAFF ASSISTANT

Organizational Context

This position is within the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVMC), based in Bogota. The incumbent reports directly to the SRSG, playing a key role in supporting the mission's high-level operations and administrative functions.

Job Purpose

The Senior Staff Assistant is responsible for managing the SRSG's complex schedule, including appointments and engagements with senior officials and delegations. This role involves anticipating needs for briefing materials, screening and managing sensitive correspondence, and drafting official documents to ensure accuracy and timeliness. The position also coordinates administrative matters between various UN entities, organizes official travel, and provides essential administrative support for the SRSG's office. A key contribution is ensuring the efficient workflow and effective operation of the Front Office, maintaining high standards of record-keeping and information security in line with UN protocols.

Responsibilities

The Senior Staff Assistant manages the SRSG's calendar, appointments, and official engagements, including interactions with high-level government officials and diplomats. Responsibilities include preparing and ensuring the completeness of briefing materials for meetings and missions. The role involves screening, prioritizing, and managing all incoming and outgoing correspondence, including confidential and sensitive materials. Drafting, formatting, editing, and finalizing official documents for the SRSG are crucial. The position also entails maintaining a tracking system for follow-up actions, coordinating administrative issues across mission components and UN agencies, and organizing the SRSG's official travel logistics. Furthermore, the role provides administrative support for attendance, leave, travel claims, and requisitions, contributing to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the SRSG's office through workflow management and secure record-keeping.

Work Experience

A minimum of eight years of progressive experience supporting a high-ranking UN or government official is required. Essential experience includes a strong understanding of UN system operations, administrative support in senior management front offices, and handling confidential matters. Experience in post-conflict settings is also required. Experience in UN field operations or the Latin America and Caribbean region is desirable.

Skills

Professionalism, tact, discretion, excellent interpersonal skills, initiative, good judgment, teamwork, planning and organizing, managing calendars, correspondence management, document drafting and editing, administrative support, travel coordination, record-keeping, and information security.

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