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Join the mission of the United Nations University to address global challenges through impactful research in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Overview
Salary
No salary declared 😔
Location
Caracas, VE
Expires
Expires at anytime
The United Nations University is a global think tank committed to generating research that drives positive change across all Sustainable Development Goals. With a focus on human survival, conflict prevention, and sustainable development, UNU leverages its network of over 400 researchers and partnerships with UN agencies, universities, and institutions to tackle critical global issues.
UNU-BIOLAC, based in Caracas, Venezuela, seeks a proactive and dedicated Executive Assistant to support its mission of promoting sustainable development through biotechnology in Latin American and Caribbean countries.
- Provide comprehensive administrative support to the Programme Head.
- Manage institutional communications and maintain updated databases.
- Assist in planning biannual budgets and implementing communication policies.
- Coordinate academic activities, including managing open calls and applications.
- Support fundraising initiatives and maintain stakeholder relationships.
- Contribute to the organization and documentation of International Advisory Committee meetings.
- Bachelor's degree in Basic Sciences or Social Studies required.
- Two years of work experience with expertise in MS Suite or equivalent.
- Fluency in English and Spanish, with additional UN language skills as an asset.
- Desirable skills include fundraising and knowledge of biotechnology.
UNU offers an attractive compensation package, annual leave, and health insurance. Please note taxes on remuneration are the responsibility of the PSA holder. This position may require international travel and offers the possibility of renewal based on performance.
Immediate start date. Apply by November 16, 2024, via the UNU application link, complete the P11 Form, and provide a motivation statement.
United Nations University (UNU)
UNU is an international community of scholars engaged in policy-oriented research, capacity development and dissemination of knowledge in furthering the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The mission of UNU is to contribute, through research and capacity building, to efforts to resolve the pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States.
For the past four decades, UNU has been a go-to think tank for impartial research on human survival, conflict prevention, sustainable development, and welfare. With more than 400 researchers in 12 countries, UNU's work spans the 17 Sustainable Development Goals' full breadth, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU maintains more than 200 collaborations with UN agencies and leading universities and research institutions across the globe.
About Office/Institute
UNU- Biotechnology Programme for Latin America and the Caribbean (BIOLAC) is one of 14 research and training Institutes that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system.UNU-BIOLAC promotes the use of biotechnology for the sustainable development of Latin American and Caribbean countries. UNU-BIOLAC accomplishes its goals by building capacities, creating knowledge, and achieving problem-oriented research on significant areas of concern for the region. In addition, it acts as a go-to think tank for science-based information to solve the most pressing problems where biotechnology could play a prominent role. UNU-BIOLAC materializes an academic community through a dynamic network of researchers and institutions participating as Programme members under several cooperative agreements. This network coordinates research and training projects, conducts training activities, and mentors short-stay research visits and training internships. This position Full-time might require international travel. The UNU-BIOLAC Executive Assistant will be based in Caracas, Venezuela.
Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the BIOLAC Programme Head and the administrative & programmatic direction of the UNU Headquarters, the Executive Assistant to the Programme Head will perform duties as follows:
- Provides administrative support to the Programme Head focusing on the achievement of the following results:
- Oversees and manages all forms of institutional communications and prepares a brief for the Programme Head when required.
- Maintains and updates UNU-BIOLAC's databases.
- Assists the Programme Head and the Finance and Administrative Assistant to plan the biannual budgets.
- Assists the Information and Networking Assistant and Programme Head in implementing the Communications Policy.
- Serve as Focal Point for: Safety and Security, Risk Management and Due Diligence.
- Channelling (receiving, revising, sending for evaluation, approval or rejection and follow up) course applications, fellowship applications, and webinar applications.
- Follow up on the evaluation of applications for academic activities and approved academic activities, and on financial reports.
- Receives and reviews contract evaluations for quality assurance purposes.
- Review contract requests to ensure quality and compliance with rules.
3. Assist the Programme Head in the Organization of all academic activities:
- Manages the Open Calls for academic activities (Courses, Fellowships, Travel Grants and Webinars)
- Follow up on the application processes and updates.
- Maintains constant communication with the grantees.
- Collaborates with the implementation of all academic activities.
4. Makes necessary coordination and due arrangements for IAC meetings implementations:
- Assists the Programme Head in organizing the UNU-BIOLAC International Advisory Committee meetings.
- Sets and follows up on the IAC meeting agenda.
- Prepares minutes of the IAC meeting.
5. Provide support to the Programme Head in the efforts to expand the Programme:
- Proposes and follows up on actions related to fundraising as instructed by the Programme Head.
- Keeps continuous and fluid communication with the Programme’s allies (Universities, institutions, etc.), donors and Stakeholders.
- Serves as a focal point between the external partners and allies and UNU-BIOLAC.
6. Performs other duties assigned by the Programme Head.
Key Performance Indicators
- Quality and level of engagement with internal and external stakeholders to ensure that UNU is seen as a reliable and trustworthy partner by research partners, governments, donors, and civil society.
- Academic support for research fellows on issues regarding their academic activities.
- Updated and efficient maintenance of UNU-BIOLAC's Databases.
- Personnel well trained in their respective chores.
- Timely and reliable information provided to all UNU-BIOLAC staff.
- Priority attention to all academic activities.
Competencies
Values:
- Inclusion - Take action to create an environment of dignity and respect for all, regardless of age, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, geography, grade, language, nationality, racial identity, religion, sex, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, social origin or any other aspect of identity.
- Integrity - Act ethically, demonstrating the standards of conduct of the United Nations and taking prompt action in case of witnessing unprofessional or unethical behaviour, or any other breach of UN standards.
- Humility - Demonstrate self-awareness and willingness to learn from others.
- Humanity - Act according to the purposes of the United Nations: peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet.
Behaviours:
- Connect and Collaborate - Build positive relationships with others to advance the work of the United Nations and work coherently as One UN.
- Analyse and Plan - Seek out and use data from a wide range of sources to understand problems, inform decision-making, propose evidence-based solutions and plan action.
- Deliver Results with Positive Impact - Hold oneself and others accountable for delivering results and making a positive difference to the people and causes that the United Nations serves.
- Learn and Develop - Pursue own learning and development and contribute to the learning and development of others.
- Adapt and Innovate - Demonstrate flexibility, agility and the ability to think and act in novel ways.
1) Education and certification
- Bachelor's degree in Basic Sciences or Social Studies.
2) Required skills and experience
- Two years of work experience.
- Expert management of MS Suite or its open-access equivalent.
- Communication abilities in social media.
- Team-work collaboration skills, especially within multi-cultural backgrounds.
- Self-time management, setting priorities, planning and organizing workloads.
Desirable Skills:
- Experience in fundraising is desirable.
- Knowledge of biotechnology is more than desirable.
3) Language Requirements:
- Fluency in English and Spanish is required
- Knowledge of another UN official language is an asset.
Remuneration
The successful candidate will be employed under a PSA contract. UNU offers an attractive compensation package. Benefits include days of annual leave and a health insurance scheme.
UNU is not liable for any taxes that may be levied on the remuneration you receive under this contract. Payment of any such taxes remains the sole responsibility of PSA holders.
Duration of contract
The duration of the initial contract is 6 months. This is a Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) contract with UNU, with the possibility for renewal subject to requirements and satisfactory work performance. The combined duration of a PSA contract with UNU may not exceed six (6) years. The mandatory age of retirement for PSA holders is 65 years.
Starting date
Immediate
How to Apply
To apply to UNU, you will not need an account. Instead, we ask that you:
- Apply via the apply link;
- fill out the UNU P11 Form (please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organisations);
- provide a motivation statement (in the P11 form); and
- answer a few questions that are tailored to the position.
You may wish to refer to the UN Values and Behaviours Framework for more information.
Application Deadline
16 November 2024.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates includes a personal competency-based interview and a written test assessment which may be followed by background checks and references. We do not pay transportation costs to attend the interview. Please note that we are unable to provide assistance with visa applications.
Special Notice
Staff members of the United Nations University are international civil servants subject to the Rector's authority. They may be assigned to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations University. The Rector reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below that advertised.
UNU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities to apply and become part of the organisation. Applications from developing countries, and from women are strongly encouraged. Eligible internal applicants are also encouraged to apply.
UNU has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNU, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.
If you have supervisory function you need to have awareness on gender related issues.
Information about UNU rosters
UNU reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNU at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Scam Warning
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