Information Management Assistant

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Archives and Records Management Section (ARMS), Facilities and Commercial Activities Service (FCAS), Division of Administration (DOA), Department of Operational Support (DOS). The Department of Operational Support was established to provide operational advisory services to operating entities across the Secretariat, including other departments, offices away from headquarters, field missions, and regional commissions. The Facilities and Commercial Activities Service (FCAS) operates the Headquarters complex, striving to provide effective and efficient planning, management, maintenance and operation for all existing physical facilities and assets at the UN Headquarters, New York. FCAS also supports office and conference facilities, property management, travel and transportation services, archives and records management, mail and pouch operations, catering giftshop and the United Nations Postal Administration. The Archives and Records Management Section (ARMS) identifies, preserves and provides access to those records that document the history of the United Nations. ARMS is responsible for all aspects of UN recordkeeping, ranging from measures to ensure that United Nations officials create records in the course of their duties, through the management of records in United Nations offices, to preserving and making records of continuing value accessible as United Nations archives. The incumbent of the position reports to the Information Management Officer (Digital Archivist).

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Information Management Assistant will be responsible for the following duties: • Under the guidance of the Information Management Officer (Digital Archivist), liaises with Secretariat offices to assess and/or appraise inactive digital records or data in database systems and determine their archival value based on ARMS established criteria. Oversees digital records accessioning operations by supervising staff in receiving transfers, applying retention schedules, and arranging, describing and relating accessions in accordance with the Section’s SOPs. • Supports the implementation of UN’s digital preservation programme through the application of UN policies and ARMS established practices in the areas of archives management • Oversees digital archives arrangement and description operations by identifying, planning and overseeing projects in consultation with Section’s archivists and in liaison with contractual archivists. • Undertakes arrangement and description digital archives projects by researching administrative histories and providing records content analysis for purposes of series descriptions and appraisal determinations; arranges digital records and prepares series descriptions according to archival standards and database protocols. • Oversees reference and research operations by servicing on-site and remote researchers, including the supervision of reference staff in records identification, retrieval and reproduction services. • Provides curatorial and database management for material stored in the Section’s digital preservation system. • Coordinates access and declassification reviews by screening records for security-classified materials, preparing declassification review requests and updating Section database. • Performs research and document delivery services using a range of specialized commercial databases in addition to standard sources and databases. • Orders and ensures shipment of documents, reference materials, stationery and necessary equipment to various sites. • Maintains statistics on service and workload measures. • Guides and supervises more junior General Service Staff. • Provides administrative support for the section and unit chiefs and undertakes other duties as assigned.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of electronic record keeping and relevant information systems and networks. Ability to undertake independent research, maintain records in a systematic fashion and to retrieve necessary materials with maximum speed and accuracy. Ability to identify and assess issues and develop accurate retrieval tools for relevant records. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work. • Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. • Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of experience in archives, digital archives management or related area is required. The minimum number of years of relevant experience is reduced to five for candidates who possess a first level university degree or higher. Experience with archives management and/or digital preservation systems such as, but not limited to, AtoM or Preservica, is desirable. Experience scripting (e.g. Python/C#) and API knowledge is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

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