Job Highlight
Drive smooth office operations by supporting administration, logistics, and client-focused services.
About the Region
The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees the delivery of over 250 projects across 40 countries, with a focus on fragile and conflict-affected settings. Supported by more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices—spanning North, West, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Horn of Africa—the office advances national priorities through strategic initiatives in Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and Security, Middle-Income Country Support, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The Regional Office provides strategic leadership, operational support, and oversight in key areas including Partnerships, Communications, Management and Oversight, Infrastructure and Project Management, Health and Safety, and Security. By promoting excellence in project delivery, fostering knowledge sharing, and driving continuous improvement, the office contributes to sustainable infrastructure, transparent resource management, and a better quality of life for communities across the continent.
About the Country/Multi-Country Office
Based in Addis Ababa, the Horn of Africa Multi-Country Office (HAMCO) delivers project management, procurement, and infrastructure services across Djibouti, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Sudan, with a primary focus on health, agriculture, and economic development. Established in 2009, HAMCO partners with governments and development stakeholders to implement impactful, results-driven initiatives that contribute to sustainable development. Since 2024, new projects have been aimed at expanding access to healthcare, education, energy, and livelihoods, particularly in underserved and conflict-affected regions. HAMCO also provides human resource management services, supporting the effective implementation of development initiatives. Key efforts include equipping research facilities, strengthening education and health systems, building vaccine research capacity, and enhancing resilience in communities affected by crisis. Through these interventions, HAMCO contributes to inclusive growth, regional stability, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the Horn of Africa.
About the Project Office
Established in 2005, UNOPS Sudan is a key partner in advancing community well-being through infrastructure, procurement, and project management services that support humanitarian, recovery, and sustainable development efforts. UNOPS contributes to improved access to clean water, supports peacekeeping operations, and assists in implementing the 2020 Juba Peace Agreement by helping operationalize the Permanent Ceasefire Committee for Darfur in collaboration with UNITAMS. Ongoing initiatives focus on enhancing access to water and strengthening health services across the country, with particular efforts in Kassala state to expand diagnostic capacity and upgrade healthcare infrastructure. Through these projects, UNOPS supports stability, resilience, and improved living conditions for communities across Sudan.
Role Purpose
The Administration Senior Assistant supports office operations by carrying out a range of standard administrative processes, ensuring accuracy, efficiency and high-quality outcomes.
Functions / Key Results Expected
Administrative Support
- Research and retrieve statistical data from internal and external sources. Prepare statistical charts, tables and reports by extracting and analyzing data from multiple sources.
- Follow up on deadlines, commitments and actions, coordinating the collation and submission of reports as required.
- Provide administrative support for conferences, workshops and retreats.
- Compile and organize information for periodic audits.
- Manage petty cash transactions in accordance with established procedures.
Travel and Logistics
- Process travel transactions (authorizations and claims) in the ERP system, including requests for visas, identity cards, and other documentation for personnel, UN officials and visitors, ensuring compliance with UN rules and regulations.
- Provide information on air services, rates, and schedules for specific itineraries.
- Process travel claims, purchase orders, payments, and contracts for travel-related activities.
- Organize shipments and customs clearance arrangements, ensuring the preparation of all required documentation for UNOPS shipments (incoming and outgoing) and timely follow-up actions.
- Prepare documentation for security clearances.
- Arrange hotel reservations and organize airport pickups, hospitality, protocol, customs, and immigration support for visiting UN System officials.
- Ensure punctual delivery of official protocol certificates and coordinate with UN departments on documentation related to visas, work permits, security requirements, and health clearances for international staff.
- Coordinate with UN departments on import/export or transfer of goods for official purposes.
- Maintain strong working relationships with government ministries.
- Provide accurate, up-to-date information to staff on required supporting documents for themselves and their dependents, including import/export or transfer requirements. Track the status of submitted documentation for staff and dependents through individual monitoring sheets, ensuring adherence to schedules.
- Provide timely updates to individuals or units on administrative steps, project file status, and pending issues.
- Supervise transportation services, ensuring quality client service, regular vehicle maintenance, insurance coverage, and monitoring of fuel consumption.
- Promptly report and investigate vehicle accidents, damage, loss or theft, and update vehicle history reports.
- Oversee external transportation service contractors, including performance monitoring and invoice processing.
Inventory and Facilities Management Support
- Conduct physical inventory checks and prepare periodic inventory and asset reports.
- Serve as custodian for office stationery suppliers, maintaining accurate stock lists, distributing supplies as needed, and keeping detailed distribution logs.
- Conduct and report on surveys assessing office maintenance needs and client satisfaction.
- Gather information for administrative surveys to support the organization and improvement of common services.
Knowledge Building and Sharing
- Provide planning support for logistics, travel, inventory and facilities management-related training sessions and learning initiatives.
- Participate in the delivery and facilitation of knowledge-sharing activities to build administrative, logistics, travel, inventory and facilities management capacity within the organization.
Skills
Communication, Data Analysis, Document Management, General Administration, Inventory Management, Logistics Management, Travel Management
Competencies
Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.
Education Requirements
Required
- Secondary school (or equivalent) with 5 years of relevant experience OR
- Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 1 year of relevant experience is required.
Desired
- A globally or nationally recognized professional certificate in Administration is desired.
Experience Requirements
Required
- Relevant experience is work in administration, logistics, operations or related areas.
- Experience in the use of collaboration and productivity tools (e.g. MS Office, G-Suite, etc) and web-based management systems is required.
Desired
- Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired.
- Experience in development or humanitarian contexts is desired.
Language Requirements
LanguageProficiency LevelRequirementEnglishFluentRequiredArabicFluentRequired
Additional Information
- UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
- UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
- Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments.
- UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
- UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
- We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
- UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.
Terms and Conditions
- For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
- For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
- For more details about the contract types, please click here.
- All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
- It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.
