Office Assistant Full Time NEW

Education:

Secondary School Completion or TVET/Diploma Training in a relevant field (Check details) 

About the Organization

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is a premier regional institution established to promote economic and social development across its member states and to foster regional integration. As a vital arm of the United Nations, the ECA serves as a strategic hub for policy analysis, advocacy, and technical cooperation. By supporting the implementation of global development agendas, the institution plays a transformative role in shaping Africa’s economic landscape and ensuring its sustainable growth within the global community.

Operating from its historic headquarters in Addis Ababa, the ECA provides a professional environment defined by international standards, multicultural collaboration, and administrative excellence. The Facilities Management Section (FMS) is a critical component of this infrastructure, ensuring that the UN compound and its associated offices are managed with the highest level of efficiency and professional integrity. To work at the ECA is to be part of a prestigious international community where strategic administrative support is a key driver of organizational success.

The ECA fosters a culture of transparency and accountability, particularly in its administrative and records management operations. We believe that every team member, from policy experts to office assistants, contributes to the UN’s global mission. Working here offers a unique opportunity to engage in high-level office administration, supporting the “UN Common House” initiative which integrates multiple UN agencies under one operational framework.

We are dedicated to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the global community we serve. The United Nations is an equal opportunity employer that provides a stable and supportive workplace where professional conduct and meticulous attention to detail are recognized and valued. We prioritize the development of our staff, offering an environment that encourages long-term professional pride and administrative excellence.

In line with our commitment to gender equity and social inclusion, we strongly encourage women and individuals from underrepresented groups to apply for this administrative role. The UN recognizes that office management and administrative support sectors benefit immensely from diverse perspectives. We are dedicated to providing a workplace where all administrative professionals can thrive and contribute to the successful management of the United Nations’ logistical and document assets.

Job Description and Strategic Impact

The role of the Office Assistant (G4) is a foundational administrative function that sits at the core of the Facilities Management Section’s daily operations. This position is strategically vital, as it ensures the smooth functioning of the Section through effective records management, communication handling, and general office support. By managing the flow of information and maintaining accurate databases, you ensure that the Section can respond promptly to the needs of the commission and its various agencies.

The strategic impact of this role is felt in the organizational efficiency of the FMS. You will be responsible for providing an effective records management system in accordance with UN policy and legislative requirements for document retention. Your work in sorting correspondence and preparing memos is essential for the clear communication of facility updates and administrative directives. By managing the FMS Help Desk, you serve as the first point of contact for repair and maintenance queries, ensuring that facility issues are registered and resolved in a timely manner.

A day in the life of an Office Assistant at the ECA involves a high degree of coordination and multi-tasking. You will receive visitors, manage phone queries, and maintain chronological and subject files in both hard and soft copies. This role offers the opportunity to apply advanced organizational skills to maintain databases and inventory, ensuring that the Section is always equipped with the necessary materials to fulfill its mandate.

Furthermore, this position carries the responsibility of coordinating activities for the delivery of records management functions and managing official notices within the compound. Your expertise in operating a variety of office equipment and your proactive approach to identifying equipment defaults directly influence the Section’s productivity. This role provides an unparalleled platform to master UN-specific administrative protocols and contribute to the excellence that enables the commission to fulfill its mission in Africa.

The long-term impact of your work is the institutionalization of rigorous document management and office protocols. By establishing effective working relationships with internal and external contractors, you create a foundation of administrative reliability. This role provides an excellent opportunity to develop into a specialist in international office administration, contributing to the administrative excellence that sustains the United Nations’ presence in Addis Ababa.

Job Positions and Requirements

1. Office Assistant

Educational Qualification: High school completion is required. Specialized training in general office support or secretarial services is highly desirable.

Work Experience: Four (4) years of progressive experience directly related to general office support, secretarial services, or a related administrative area is required.

Job Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (ECA Compound)

Salary: Negotiable/Per UN Consultant Scale (CON)

No. Required: 1

Employment Type and Compensation

This position is offered as a consultancy contract with an expected duration of 9 months. It provides an exceptional opportunity to gain specialized experience within the United Nations administrative framework, offering a stable and professional work environment in a world-class facility.

Compensation for this role is competitive and aligned with the United Nations scale for consultants and individual contractors at the G4 level. The package is designed to attract experienced administrative professionals who are committed to delivering high-quality office support and record-keeping services. Beyond financial rewards, the role offers the prestige of working for the UN and the chance to work alongside a team of dedicated international professionals.

The UN provides a merit-based environment where administrative precision, proactive communication, and organizational skills are rewarded. This 9-month engagement serves as a significant professional milestone, providing the incumbent with international experience in office management that is highly regarded globally. We ensure that our staff have the tools and systems necessary to perform their duties to the highest standards.

How to Apply

In alignment with our streamlined recruitment procedures, candidates are NOT required to provide scanned certificates or physical attachments during the initial application stage. We encourage you to focus on accurately reflecting your secretarial and administrative experience in your application profile.

Original academic certificates and professional documentation will only be requested for verification purposes if a candidate is invited for a formal interview. This approach ensures a fair and efficient screening process based on the merits of the applicant’s professional background and relevant work history.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessment. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. We are seeking a dedicated administrative professional who can maintain our office systems with absolute accuracy and professional integrity.

The selection process will involve a thorough review of administrative expertise, and potentially an assessment of proficiency in office software and document management systems. We aim to identify a reliable professional capable of managing multiple office tasks within the UN’s regulatory framework.

Interested candidates must submit their application through the official UN Careers portal (Inspira) using the Job Opening ID provided below.

Application Deadline

April 21, 2026

Official Application Link / Contact

Apply Link: https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/275349?language=en