Job Description Administrative Assistant (Protocol)
Primary Location
: United Arab Emirates-Abu Dhabi
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device Staff in the General Service category are recruited locally from the Primary Location area, which is where the office is located.
• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply *• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values • FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination*
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality • FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.
FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for
better production
,
better nutrition
,
a
better environment,
and
a better life
, leaving no one behind.
Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.
FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.
FAO's Subregional Office for the Gulf Cooperation Council States and Yemen (SNG) is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing agreed strategies for addressing subregional food, agriculture and rural development priorities. It develops and maintains relations with subregion-wide institutions including Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs). The Subregional Office is a subsidiary of FAO's Regional Office for Near East and North Africa (RNE).
The position is located in SNG in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Main Purpose
The Administrative Assistant (Protocol) performs a large variety of routine protocol-related functions contributing to the smooth and efficient running of the work unit. He/she provides an effective service to the Office for the issuance and renewal of official documents with regard to residence, immigration or travel. He/she takes routine decisions on administrative actions based on a good knowledge of applicable rules and procedures as well as local regulations.
Supervision Received/Exercised
The Administrative Assistant (Protocol) reports to the Subregional Coordinator of SNG. He/she acts independently in routine matters. Supervision received is focused on the quality of the work performed and provides for on-the-job learning.
Working Relationships
The Administrative Assistant (Protocol) interacts with a wide variety of colleagues within the work unit and with immediate clients within the Organization, providing routine administrative and office support services. S/he interacts with the Host Country and other external partners as need and upon instructions.
Key Functions/Results
• Sort and organize, for appropriate action, various requests from staff members for immigration and visa-related services.
• Arrange and facilitate protocol, visa and immigration related services for FAO staff and non-staff members and guests by assisting with the acquisition of resident permits, visas and other required immigration or travel documents.
• Advise staff on the visa and immigration requirements of the Host Country; process visas for delegates or FAO travellers from countries where FAO has no diplomatic representation; proof-read visa applications.
• Draft Note Verbale, documents and routine correspondence on the above.
• Maintain an electronic database and an updated filing system of relevant information to track the expiry dates of documents and visas to remind the relevant staff member to initiate action for renewal of the same in good time.
• Arrange airport pick-up service of high-level officials and assist in expediting of customs and immigration procedures, as necessary; provide other protocol services to high-level officials.
• Obtain offers from suppliers and contractors in relation to minor official purchases, maintenance services, printing, etc. and draft relevant minor contracts, in collaboration with other colleagues.
• Undertake the renewal of car licenses with the authorities concerned.
• Perform other related duties as required.
Impact Of Work
The incumbent's work impacts on the timely and efficient delivery of office support services and on the overall output of the work unit.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
Education: Secondary school education.
Experience: Three years of experience in administrative and office support work.
Languages: Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of Arabic.
IT Skills: Good knowledge of MS Office applications, Internet and office technology equipment.
Residency: General Service Staff are recruited locally. To be eligible for this position, candidates must be nationals of the country of the duty station or possess an existing visa/work permit and reside within commuting distance of the duty station at the time of the application. "Commuting distance" means the distance within which staff members can travel daily between their place of work and their residence.
Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building effective relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical Skills
• Good knowledge of communication and documentation standards
• Good knowledge of corporate computerized financial, travel, human resources systems and administrative procedures and policies
• Good knowledge of the organizational structure
Desirable Qualifications And Skills
• Intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of English.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at • The length of the appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to extension of appointments
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
• General Service Staff are recruited locally. To be eligible for this position, candidates must be nationals of the country of the duty station or possess an existing visa/work permit, and reside within commut
