Driver and Protocol Clerk, G3, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Background:

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

Through its Liaison Office to the African Union (AU) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the organization strategically engages with AU organs, Member States, civil society, and the diplomatic community to advance Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) commitments at both continental and regional levels. This Office provides essential technical support for policy formulation and monitoring while facilitating seamless coordination across UN Women’s regional and country offices to ensure coherent advocacy and unified policy engagement.

The Liaison Office further strengthens the African Union Commission (AUC) by providing targeted expertise to the Women, Gender and Youth Directorate (WGYD) and various specialized departments, including Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development (HHSD); Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS); and Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (ESTI). By collaborating with the departments of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (ARBE) and the Office of the Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security, UN Women ensures that gender is mainstreamed across all AU frameworks and programmes. This collaborative approach extends to UN agencies, development partners, INGOs, and the private sector, driving catalytic initiatives and amplifying evidence-based good practices. Ultimately, the Office leverages knowledge management and strategic advocacy to transform regional commitments into concrete action and measurable impact for women and girls across the African continent.

Under the direct supervision of the Special Representative to the Africa Union and UNECA, the Driver and Protocol Clerk provides reliable and safe driving services to the UN Women Special Representative to the Africa Union and UNECA and other UN officials and visitors ensuring the highest standards of discretion and integrity, sense of responsibility, and excellent knowledge of protocol and security issues. The Driver and Protocol Clerk also performs a variety of standard protocol and administrative processes ensuring high quality and accuracy of work. He/she demonstrates a client-oriented approach, courtesy, confidentiality, tact and ability to work with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.

The Driver and Protocol Clerk can be also required to provide driving services to the operations and programme personnel in the Office, consultants and experts and UN staff on mission.

Key Functions and Accountabilities:

Provide reliable and secure driving services:

• Drive office vehicles for the transport of UN Women Special Representative to the Africa Union and UNECA, other officials, visitors, UN Women AULO programme and operations personnel, and facilitate VIP missions;
• Deliver and collect mail, documents and other items to Government – Offices/Embassies/Commercial Establishments/ UN Offices;
• Meet official personnel and visitors at the airport including visa and customs formalities arrangements when required;
• Verify that all passengers wear seatbelts at all times in the vehicle;
• Check that all immediate actions required by rules and regulations are taken in case of involvement in accidents;
• Adhere to relevant job specific guidelines and policies of UN Women such as but not limited to the vehicle management policy;
• Check that all vehicles comply with the Security and Safety standard established at the duty station through Security Risk Management process.

Proper use of vehicle:

• Record accurate odometer readings (start and end) for every trip in the vehicle logbook, including date, destination, purpose of trip, and names of passengers, and submit completed logs to the supervisor for review and sign-off on a weekly basis;
• Record fuel purchases immediately after each refueling, capturing date, odometer reading, quantity (litres), cost, and receipt number; attach original fuel receipts to the log and submit to the supervisor at the end of each week for verification and certification;
• Report any discrepancies between odometer readings, fuel consumption records, and fuel receipts to the supervisor immediately upon discovery;
• Maintain vehicle maintenance records including service dates, type of work performed, service provider, mileage at service, and cost; obtain written supervisor approval prior to any non-emergency repair or maintenance;
• Submit monthly vehicle utilization reports summarizing total mileage, fuel consumption, maintenance activities, and associated costs to the supervisor for review, approval, and filing;
• Ensure cost-saving by driving responsibly and minimizing unnecessary fuel consumption.

Ensure day-to-day maintenance of the assigned vehicle:

• Ensure proper day-to-day maintenance of the assigned vehicle through routine checks (oil, tires, brakes, water, lights, indicators, wipers, horn, clutch and regular cleaning to keep the vehicle in safe running condition), and ensure that any errors of warning indicators on dashboard are inspected and addressed in timely manner;
• Make minor repairs and arrange for major repairs through the appropriate approval process;
• Conduct pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspections and record findings in the standardized vehicle inspection checklist, reporting any defects or safety concerns to the supervisor without delay;
• Ensure the assigned vehicle is regularly cleaned inside and out, maintaining a presentable standard appropriate for transporting senior officials and visitors.

Maintain and ensure availability of all required documents/supplies:

• Maintain and ensure availability of all required documents/supplies including vehicle insurance, vehicle logs, office directory, and map of the city/country, first aid kit, and necessary spare parts in the assigned vehicle.
• Ensure that vehicle registration, insurance, and inspection certificates are current and stored in the vehicle at all times, and flag upcoming renewals to the supervisor at least 30 days in advance;
• Ensure that all immediate actions required by rules and regulations are taken in case of involvement in accidents.

Provide general administrative, logistic and protocol support in accordance with UN Women rules, regulations, policies, and strategies and Host Country Protocol:

• Provide logistical support for protocol-related arrangements, including document delivery and follow-up as requested.
• Maintain protocol-related records and tracking routine documentation under guidance.
• Support arrangements for official visits through logistical coordination with relevant authorities.
• Assist in preparing routine protocol correspondence when requested.
• Ensure timely processing of the issuance/renewal of diplomatic identity cards, driving licenses, vehicle registration for official and private vehicles, transfer/disposal of the mentioned vehicles, issuance and retrieval of their number plates and follow up with the relevant host country department(s).

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Competencies:

Core Values:

• Integrity;
• Professionalism;
• Respect for Diversity.

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework:

Functional Competencies:

• Excellent driving skills;
• Strong knowledge of driving rules and regulations, chauffeur protocol and courtesies and local roads and conditions;
• Strong defensive driving skills;
• Skills in minor vehicle repairs;
• Sound record-keeping and documentation skills, including accurate maintenance of vehicle and fuel logs;
• Ability to be on time. Basic computer literacy, including use of MS Word, Excel, and email applications.

Recruitment Qualifications:

Education and Certification:

• Completion of secondary education is required.
• Valid driver’s license is required.
• Defensive driving certification is an asset.

Experience:

• At least 3 years of relevant experience as a driver in an international organization, embassy or UN system with a safe driving record.
• Experience in administration, logistical, protocol support services is required;
• Demonstrated experience in maintaining accurate vehicle and fuel logs, including record-keeping practices that support audit and accountability requirements, is required;
• Experience working with Government partners is desirable;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) is required.

Languages:

• Working knowledge of English is required;
• Fluency in Amharic is required;
• Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable (French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish).

Statements:

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)

Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.