Senior Administrative Associate

March 2 2026

E (most hardship)

Non FamilyNon FamilyDanger Pay

GS7

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Senior Administrative Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Administrative Associate is responsible for assisting the concerned manager in the implementation of general administrative and resource management tasks. The incumbent will work quite independently on regular assignments with an oversight from the supervisor who will provide general guidance and work plans for identifying work priorities and appropriate approaches; work is controlled for meeting expected results and conformity to policy and procedures. S/he is normally supervised by a (Senior) Administrative Officer or a National Administrative Officer.

The incumbent may directly supervises some support staff. Contacts on administrative related issues are mainly with Sections/Units/Offices within the organization both at HQ and in the Field and with local suppliers/services/partners/national authorities on routine subject matters as well as on matters of importance to the Organization.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter UN Staff Regulations and Rules UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability addition staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core functional cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCRs core values of professionalism integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties
- Assist the supervisor in the provision of resources (human material and services) necessary to support the day-to-day activities of the staff in the office.
- Assist the supervisor in ensuring the UNHCR Office premises provide a healthy safe and respectful working environment.
- Analyses and maintains an overview of the work of the office to ensure that timely administrative support is provided in general and specialized areas.
- Participates in the recruitment and training of General Service staff for specialized and non-specialized work and assigns General Service staff to meet work requirements.
- Reviews and evaluates work of subordinates directly or through lower-level supervisors.
- In addition to general administration responsibilities may also supervise directly and indirectly activities concerned with office and grounds maintenance security transport and similar services.
- Briefs international personnel on general administrative matters provides advice and ensures administrative support as required.
- Advises and assists senior staff in the area of office management.
- Arranges for and/or attends meetings on day-to-day administrative matters participates in discussions of new or revised procedures and practices interprets and assesses the impact of changes and makes recommendations for follow-up action.
- Prepares correspondence special reports evaluations and justifications as required on general administrative or specialized tasks that may be of a confidential nature within the assigned area of responsibility.

- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G7 - 4 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not applicable.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Business Administration Finance Office Management Human Resources
or other related field
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential:
Not specified

Desirable:
Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the position.

Functional Skills
*IT-Computer Literacy
BU-PeopleSoft EPM/Budget
*CO-Drafting and Documentation
*UN-UN/UNHCR Administrative Rules Regulations and Procedures
SC-UN/UNHCR Procurement Rules and Procedures
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse harassment including sexual harassment sexism gender inequality discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening shortlisting and selection of candidates.

a. Proven experience in field-based and emergency operations with the ability to apply UNHCR administrative financial and procurement procedures under high workload tight deadlines and resource constrained environments. Demonstrated capacity to adapt to rapidly changing operational demands while ensuring accuracy compliance and accountability.
b. Demonstrated ability to support senior management through independent administrative oversight including effective coordination of office services supervision and guidance of support staff and proactive liaison with partners service providers and local authorities. Able to maintain smooth administrative operations in complex and challenging contexts.
c. Strong practical proficiency in office management systems and UNHCR tools ensuring continuity of administrative services staff welfare asset management and adherence to organizational standards during emergency response or operational surge.
d. Advanced working knowledge of UNHCR systems including Workday (HR/Payroll) COMPASS (Financial Management) and ERP systems with the ability to interpret data extract reports troubleshoot user-level issues and support colleagues in the correct application of administrative and financial workflows.
e. Excellent organizational analytical and problem solving skills with the capacity to prioritize competing tasks maintain structured workflows and ensure timely delivery of administrative outputs while upholding internal controls and risk management practices.
f. Strong communication and interpersonal abilities enabling effective collaboration with multi functional teams operational partners and external stakeholders while maintaining a constructive service oriented approach aligned with UNHCR values and principles.

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Nature of Position:

Living and Working Conditions:

Additional Qualifications

Skills

BU-PeopleSoft EPM/Budget CO-Drafting and Documentation IT-Computer Literacy SC-UN/UNHCR Procurement Rules and Procedures UN-UN/UNHCR Administrative Rules Regulations and Procedures

Certifications

Business Administration - Other Finance - Other Human Resources - Other Office Management - Other

Competencies

Accountability Analytical thinking Change capability & adaptability Client & results orientation Commitment to continuous learning Communication Managing performance Organizational awareness Planning & organizing Teamwork & collaboration

Additional Information

This position doesnt require a functional clearance