Vacancy Announcement: Administrative Specialist, P3, FT, Abuja, Nigeria.

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, Commitment.

How can you make a difference? 

As the manager and specialist of administrative management services typically in a small to medium size country office, the incumbent is accountable for provision of managerial leadership and policy guidance for achievement of effective administrative service management and staff capacity development. Collaborate with Operations management efficient administrative operations in support of the Office and country programmes. Ensures the office’s administrative operations and services are effectively in compliance with the organization’s administrative policy, procedures, rules and regulations.   

Key End Result

1. Appropriate and consistent 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. Supervision and leadership in 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 is 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 organized 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.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

 1. Policy, procedures and strategies

As technical specialist and manager, accountable for the correct and consistent application of policies and procedures in the management of administrative functions through the provision of technical leadership, guidance and support to the country office and sub-offices where applicable.   

Contributes to global, regional and country strategic planning and policy changes/formulation on administrative matters as necessary.  Provides technical input to the establishment of administrative guidelines in close coordination with the head of office, Chief of Operations and DFAM.  

Advises the head of the office and updates staff on administrative policies, procedures rules and regulations, providing technical advice, guidelines and administrative support.  Implements the appropriate application and interpretation of administrative rules, regulations, policies and procedures.  Briefs and assists arriving and departing staff on administrative procedures and requirements. 

Liaises with the Regional Office and HQ Divisions to support policy reform in the area of administrative service management; advises on the applicability of new policy directives at the country level.  Makes viable recommendations on the improvement of systems and internal controls, and resolution of sensitive issues, taking into account the prevailing conditions in the locality. 

Keeps the supervisor abreast of potential problem areas, and identifies and recommends solutions. Prepares reports on administrative matters. 

Provides administrative support and services to country and sub-country offices where applicable, including preparation and funding of service contracts, preparations of PGMs for all administrative supplies.  Undertakes missions to field locations to review administrative arrangements and makes appropriate recommendations as required.  

2. Budget management

Monitors the budget in close coordination with the Chief of Operations to ensure that objectives stipulated early in the fiscal year are realized for smooth operation of the country office/sub offices, where applicable. 

Recommends and prepares estimates on office premises, supplies and equipment requirements for budget preparation purposes.  Assists zone offices in the establishment and maintenance of administrative services. Prepares monitors and controls the administrative budget. 

3. Administrative support and services

Ensures timely and effective delivery and improvement in administrative support and office services for enhanced quality, efficiency and cost effectiveness, 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 offices services including space management, equipment, communications and security to enhance staff safety and productivity.  

Supports the Inter-Agency Operations Management Team’s approaches for enhancing UN common services to attain efficiencies and effectiveness.

Negotiates and supervises matters relating to office premises, utilities and services with vendors /agencies.

4. Property management

Manages properties of administrative supplies, office equipment and vehicles, updating inventory of items, serving as ex-officio member to the Property Survey Board and ensuring follow-up action. 

Prepares Property Survey Board submissions for the Senior Operations Officer; prepares minutes of meetings and assists the Senior Operations Officer in executing PSB recommendations approved by the Head of Office.

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. 

Reviews all 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.

6. Staff learning and development

Develops training programmes to enhance effective performance and efficiency in admin. services management. 

Implements staff learning and development programme activities for capacity building.  Conducts workshops for staff competency building, staff learning and development and career development.  Provides coaching and counselling to the staff on performance enhancement/development. 

7. Partnership, coordination and collaboration

Facilitates and maintains effective working relations with other agencies, local authorities and implementing partners relating to administrative matters for enhancement of information exchange, collaboration, and harmonization. 

Cooperates and coordinates with other UN agency counterparts in the UN reform initiatives (including common services and premises agenda, etc.).

Coordinates field emergency services.

8. Performs any other duties and responsibilities assigned as required.

Ensure to provide quality services to the beneficiaries in a timely and cost-effective manner in performing additional duties and responsibilities assigned in conformance with the policy, standards, rules and regulations.         

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

Education: Advanced university degree in social sciences, business management, administration, finance, or any other relevant field of discipline.

Work Experience:

• Five years of relevant professional work experience.
• 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.

Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per 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.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.