Launch your global impact career with a United Nations Paid Assistant position. This detailed guide covers current UN job openings for assistants across various departments, including Administrative Assistant, Programme Assistant, and Executive Assistant roles. Discover the UN careers application process, essential UN job requirements like a high school diploma and relevant experience, and the competitive UN salaries and benefits that support your professional growth. We provide a full breakdown of UN job descriptions, key qualifications for UN jobs, and how to craft a winning application for these entry-level UN opportunities and international civil service roles to start your journey in global governance and public service. This is an external advertisement for opportunities at the UN.
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Background & Job Description
The following information is presented as a third-party resource to assist candidates in understanding typical United Nations Assistant vacancies. The United Nations (UN) seeks dedicated individuals to fill various Paid Assistant positions, which are critical to the smooth functioning of its global operations. These roles provide essential administrative, logistical, and programmatic support across diverse UN agencies, funds, and programmes, such as UNDP, UNICEF, WHO, and the UN Secretariat.
These positions are often gateways to a fulfilling career within the international civil service. Successful candidates will operate in a multicultural, fast-paced environment dedicated to advancing peace, sustainable development, human rights, and humanitarian action. The core mission of these roles is to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of UN teams by managing critical support functions, allowing professional staff to focus on substantive program delivery and policy work.
As an external platform, we aggregate and explain these opportunities to help potential applicants navigate the UN system. The UN itself offers contracts with competitive UN salaries and benefits, which may include a tax-free remuneration, rental subsidy, education grants for eligible dependents, health insurance, and pension plan. These roles are typically based at UN headquarters (e.g., New York, Geneva, Vienna, Nairobi) or in country offices worldwide.
Tasks
The daily responsibilities for a UN Paid Assistant can vary by department but generally encompass a comprehensive suite of support duties. Candidates should be prepared for a role that requires precision, discretion, and proactive problem-solving.
- Administrative & Logistical Support: Manage complex calendars, schedule meetings, and arrange appointments for senior staff or a team. Make travel arrangements, including flights, visas, and hotel bookings, and prepare detailed travel authorizations and claims. Process official documents, including notes verbale and routine correspondence.
- Document & Information Management: Draft, format, edit, and proofread a wide range of documents, including reports, presentations, briefs, and official correspondence. Maintain organized physical and electronic filing systems, ensuring easy retrieval of information. Manage incoming and outgoing communications, including screening phone calls and emails.
- Meeting & Conference Facilitation: Provide logistical support for meetings, conferences, and workshops, including preparing agendas, reserving venues, coordinating technology, and arranging catering. Take precise minutes and notes, and follow up on action items.
- Research & Data Entry: Conduct basic research on assigned topics, compiling information from specified sources. Accurately enter data into relevant databases and management systems, ensuring data integrity and confidentiality.
- Financial & Procurement Support: Assist in the preparation of budget estimates and monitor expenditures. Initiate and follow up on procurement processes for goods and services, ensuring adherence to UN financial rules and regulations.
- Team Coordination & Liaison: Serve as a focal point for internal and external stakeholders, facilitating clear communication. Liaise with other UN units, government officials, NGOs, and other partners on routine operational matters.
Qualifications
Education and Certification:
- A minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for these entry-level positions.
- Additional certification in business administration, secretarial studies, office management, or a related field from a recognized institution is a significant asset and is often required for higher-level assistant positions (e.g., G-5, G-6 levels).
- Certification in IT proficiency, particularly in the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), is essential. Knowledge of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems like Umoja (the UN’s system) is a strong advantage.
- Proof of completion of secondary education will be required during the application process.
Launch Your Global Impact Career: United Nations Paid Assistant Positions (Multiple Roles)
Experience:
- A minimum of 2 to 5 years of progressively responsible experience in administrative services, general office support, or a related area is typically required. The exact years depend on the specific grade level (e.g., G-4, G-5, G-6) of the position.
- Prior experience within the United Nations common system, another international organization, or a multinational environment is highly desirable and may be stipulated for some roles.
- Demonstrated experience in handling sensitive and confidential information with discretion is paramount.
- Proven track record in providing efficient support to managers or teams, managing multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
- Experience with protocol procedures and event organization is often considered an advantage.
Additional Information
This advertisement is for informational purposes only. All applications must be submitted through the official UN Careers Portal (careers.un.org) or the specific recruiting agency’s website. We are not affiliated with the United Nations and do not handle applications.
- Language Requirements: Fluency in English or French (the two working languages of the UN Secretariat) is usually required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish) is a major competitive advantage and is frequently required for specific duty stations.
- Assessment Method: The UN recruitment process may include a written assessment, such as the Global General Service Test (GGST), a competency-based interview, and reference checks.
- Contract Types: Positions are often offered as Fixed-Term Appointments (FTA) or Temporary Appointments (TA), with the possibility of renewal subject to performance, operational needs, and availability of funding.
- Diversity and Inclusion: The United Nations is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. Applications from women, individuals from underrepresented member states, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged.
- Application Tip: When applying, tailor your Personal History Profile (PHP) / CV and cover letter to highlight how your skills and experience directly meet each requirement in the specific job opening (called a “Job Opening” or “JO” on the portal). Use the exact terminology from the vacancy announcement.
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