Hardship LevelH (no hardship)
Family TypeFamily
Family TypeFamily
Residential location (if applicable)
GradeGS5
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeGeneral Service
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Target Start Date2025-10-01
Deadline for ApplicationsAugust 1, 2025
Standard Job Description
Senior Administrative Assistant
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Administrative Assistant will provide administrative support to the office where the position is located.
The Senior Administrative Assistant normally has no direct supervisory functions though it rests upon the supervisor of the post to make time specific arrangements subject to a given situation. The incumbent normally works under the direct supervision of more senior local or international staff, who is required to monitor the performance of the incumbent and provide regular guidance. S/he may liaise with local suppliers and/or officials and/or Implementing Partners (IPs) on routine subject matters under the direction of the supervisor.
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 frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.
Duties
- Assist in interpreting and processing of entitlements, issuance of contracts and maintenance of various personnel records and files.
- Attend meetings on day-to-day admin matters; administer the movement of UNHCR staff members and monitor their attendance records, leave plans, overtime and visa requirements.
- Search office files and records relating to a variety of topics for information and reference. Select information and records in specified format or on the basis of general instructions for use by others in preparing reports, correspondence, technical papers, project or programme plans and general reference documents.
- Assist in requisition of office supplies, equipment and arrange for distribution together with the appropriate inventory records.
- Assist in administrative formalities related to travel arrangements and issuance/ renewal of visas, licences, travel arrangements and other similar documents.
- Draft correspondence and reports, as required, on general administrative or specialized tasks which may be of a confidential nature within the assigned area of responsibility; Type correspondence, documents and reports, some of which may be highly confidential.
- Arrange appointments and maintain supervisor's calendar, receive visitors, place and screen telephone calls and answer queries with discretion; Keep lists of names, addresses and telephone numbers of ministers, government officials and members of the diplomatic corps.
- Assist the management to organise and run UNHCR Office and Residential (wherever applicable) compounds.
- Facilitate various official missions of UNHCR staff and other persons of concern to UNHCR.
- Prepare attestations and certificates required by the staff members for signature of senior officer.
- Assist in processing MIP and various other claims by UNHCR staff and other clients of UNHCR.
- 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 G5 - 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year 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
UN-UN/UNHCR Administrative Rules, Regulations and Procedures
IT-PeopleSoft Applications
(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.
Desired Candidate Profile โข Exceptional communication (both written and verbal) and interpersonal skills
โข Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities
โข A flexible, solutions-oriented approach to problem-solving
โข Ability to operate effectively during organizational restructuring, demonstrated adaptability, resilience, and openness to change
Additional information:
Candidates must be legally present in Hungary at the time of application, recruitment and hire.
For G5 - 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher.
NOTE: A completed and relevant minimum first level university degree (equivalent to BA or higher) shall count in full (100%) towards the required years of work experience. Priority will be given to eligible applicants meeting the full requirements
Remuneration:
In case of appointment, a competitive compensation and benefits package is offered.
G5 - Salary range: NET 684,443 HUF - NET 801,631 HUF.
Benefits:
Annual leave: UNHCR staff members holding a fixed-term appointment will accrue annual leave at the rate of 2.5 working days for each full calendar months of service (i.e. 30 working days per year).
Pension system: Staff members holding a fixed-term appointment will become participants in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF).
Health insurance plan: locally recruited staff members in Budapest will be enrolled in the Medical Insurance Plan (MIP). The coverage is also optionally available for eligible family members.
Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a test. No late applications will be accepted. UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level): English
,
,
Desired languages
,
,
Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
To view occupational health and safety considerations for this duty station, please visit this link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
Operational Context
As part of UNHCRโs commitment to organizational efficiency and effectiveness, and ongoing efforts to make the organization more flexible, agile and adapted to an evolving funding environment, the High Commissioner has endorsed the establishment of a new operating model for the delivery of administrative and resource management functions at Headquarters: the Headquarters Support Service (HQSS).
This shared platform will consolidate resource management functions servicing Headquarters Divisions and Entities across Geneva, Copenhagen, and Budapest in a streamlined, integrated model.
HQSS will be led by a P5 Head of Service, based in the Global Service Center in Budapest, with small satellite teams in Geneva and Copenhagen. It will centralize transactional and routine support services across key enabling functions, including general administration, finance, procurement, human resource management, ICT support, programme management, and project control. The aim is to improve service coherence and quality, standardize processes, and generate material efficiency gains by reallocating resources toward more strategic and value-adding work in Headquarters Divisions and Entities.
HQSS will consist of approximately 35 personnel, organized into three functional units: the Resource Management Unit, the Human Resources Unit, and the IT Support Unit. These units will work in close coordination to deliver integrated services to client Divisions and Entities.
Main objectives:
Provide consistent support and reliable coverage for HQ administrative and resource management support, including HR
Streamline routine processes
Contribute towards a more cost-effective, coherent, and strategic approach to resource management
The new integrated service delivery model for resource management for Headquarters, HQSS will provide centralized transactional routine processing, HR management, and administrative support functions.
HQSS will work in close collaboration with the retained resource management capacities embedded within each Division or Entity ABC, which will focus on management advisory and act as the main interface with HQSS. The service will also be closely aligned with the Global Service Centre (GSS) and operate using a shared Service Management platform with GSS.
The incumbent of the position will be expected to collaborate closely within HQSS as well as across client HQ Divisions/Entities to ensure that the Division's or Entityโs resource management needs are seamlessly addressed through an integrated and coordinated approach.
Additional Qualifications
SkillsIT-Computer Literacy, IT-Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), UN-UN/UNHCR Administrative Rules, Regulations and Procedures
Education
CertificationsBusiness Administration - Other, Finance - Other, Human Resources - Other, Office Management - Other
Work Experience
CompetenciesAccountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Teamwork & collaboration
UNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Compendium
Additional InformationThis vacancy is open to internal candidates, former staff members whose position was abolished due to structural changes, and candidates with UNHCR experience.
Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance