Office Support Assistant

Grade: G4

Vacancy no.: CALL/GS/2024/01

Publication date: 31 May 2024
Application deadline (midnight Geneva time): 1 July 2024

Job ID: 12012
Department:ACT/EMP
Organization Unit: ACT/EMP
Location:Geneva
Contract type: Fixed Term

The ILO is issuing a call for expression of interest for the above position. The recruitment process for General Service positions is subject to local recruitment regulations and Article 4.3 of the ILO Staff Regulations. The ILO may only offer a contract to persons who have a valid residency status in Switzerland or who currently reside in neighbouring France.

The following are eligible to apply:

• ILO Internal candidates in accordance with paragraphs 31 and 32 of Annex I of the Staff Regulations
• External candidates

The ILO values diversity among its staff. We welcome applications from qualified women and men, including those with disabilities. If you are unable to complete our online application form due to a disability, please send an email to

The position is located in the Bureau for Employers' Activities (ACT/EMP). ACT/EMP is a global team, consisting of a small team of Senior Relations and Senior Technical Specialists in ILO headquarters in Geneva, and a network of Senior Specialists in each of the ILO Decent Work Teams in the different regions. ACT/EMP's principal work is to manage the relationship between the ILO and Employer and Business Membership Organizations (EBMOs), as well as the wider business community, to promote mutual understanding, shared values, and a desire to work together. This is done in close cooperation with the Secretariat of the Employers' Group of the ILO. Additionally, through its programme of development cooperation, ACT/EMP seeks to build the capacity of EBMOs to be strong, independent and representative, and to increase their value to their members and potential members. This work also enhances social dialogue in the countries concerned.

The incumbent performs a range of standard office and administrative support tasks that contribute to the smooth functioning and timely delivery of the organizational unit's activities. Such tasks relate primarily to correspondence and document preparation, processing administrative actions, information and records management support and meetings support, requiring the use and application of the relevant ILO administrative rules, regulations, policies, procedures and processes (applicable standards).

The incumbent works under direct supervision of the Director of the Bureau for Employers' Activities The incumbent works with some degree of operational independence in performing the day-to-day work and consults the supervisor for guidance in the case of non-standard issues. Supervision received is focused on the quality and timeliness of work assignments.

Internal contacts are with staff in the organizational unit and staff in other organizational units within the same area of work to obtain, provide or clarify information on matters related to specific assignments and to relay instructions from the supervisor. External contacts are with visitors, meeting participants and service providers to follow up on routine matters, exchange information or direct them to the appropriate person.

1. Perform a variety of office support tasks, such as correspondence and document preparation, information and records management support, monitoring the organizational unit's communication channels and logistical and routine administrative support for meetings.
2. Keep informed of pertinent office and administrative rules, regulations, procedures and processes and ensure work performed adheres to these. Keep informed of the organizational unit's activities and work priorities.
3. Receive and/or register incoming communications and forward to relevant parties. Reply to routine information requests or escalate as appropriate. Type, format and proofread a variety of documents, ensuring correct spelling, punctuation, grammar, style, accuracy and compliance with applicable standards. Draft standard correspondence. Prepare informal translations as required. Upload webpage content.
4. Schedule appointments and meetings as requested. Welcome and guide visitors to meeting rooms. Assist with official travel arrangements. Prepare routine cost estimates.
5. Maintain and update information and records management systems, such as filing systems, databases and other platforms.
6. Process and follow up on routine transactions in the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.
7. Provide logistical and routine administrative support for meetings and other events. Prepare and send invitations, agendas and other materials. Arrange meeting venues and equipment. Provide support and information to participants on matters of a routine nature.
8. Maintain office supplies and standard office equipment. Keep inventories up to date, order stock as required and report equipment issues. Assist with office moves, including handling access rights and preparing workstations for new staff.
9. Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

Completion of secondary school education.

Minimum of four years of relevant experience.

Excellent command of French and a working knowledge of a second working language (English, Spanish) of the Organization.

In addition to the ILO core competencies, this position requires:

In addition to the ILO core competencies [Integrity and transparency, Sensitivity to diversity, Orientation to learning and knowledge sharing, Client orientation, Communication, Orientation to change, Takes responsibility for performance, Quality orientation, Collaboration], the following is required:
Knowledge of general office procedures and ability to work within the applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
Proficient in the use of computer software packages, such as Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams).
Knowledge of SharePoint or another document management system.
Good level of ability to work with an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.
Ability to grasp and work efficiently with office tools, IT software, systems, applications and web-based platforms.
Ability to use a content management system to copy, paste and format content into a public website page.
Ability to draft standard correspondence.
Attention to detail in order to identify discrepancies in correspondence.
Tact, courtesy and ability to share information in an appropriate and respectful manner.
Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate and model gender-responsive, non-discriminatory and inclusive behaviour and attitudes.

Recruitment process

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit the ILO Jobs website. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.

Evaluation (which may include one or several written tests and a pre-interview competency-based assessment centre) and the interviews will tentatively take place during the 1 to 3 months following the application deadline. Candidates are requested to ensure their availability should they be short listed for further consideration.

Fraud warning

The ILO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process whether at the application, interview, processing or training stage. Messages originating from a non ILO e-mail account - - should be disregarded. In addition, the ILO does not require or need to know any information relating to the bank account details of applicants.