Administrative Assistant

Grade: G5

Vacancy no.: GENEVA/GS/2024/01

Publication date: 28 March 2024

Application deadline (midnight Geneva time): 30 April 2024

Job ID: 11778
Department: EMPLOYMENT
Organization Unit: EMPINVEST
Location: Geneva
Contract type: Fixed Term

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.
• Other staff members with at least five years of continuous service with the Office are also eligible. They are encouraged to apply and will be given special consideration at the screening and evaluation stage.
• 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

Applicants may be tested to assess skills in Microsoft Word, Excel and/or PowerPoint, or other skills. In addition to any interview or testing that may be requested of candidates, successful completion of the Assessment Centre is required for external candidates.

*Conditions of employment for external candidates: In conformity with existing ILO practice, the appointment of an external candidate will normally be made at the first step of this grade. The entry level salary for this position is 77571 CHF yearly.

The position is located in the the Employment and Investment Branch (EMPINVEST) within the Employment Policy, Job Creation and Livelihoods Department (EMPLOYMENT). EMPLOYMENT is responsible for promoting full and productive employment by developing integrated employment, development and skills policies that maximize the employment impact of economic growth, investments and development that are inclusive, gender-sensitive, productive and sustainable.

The incumbent provides a range of administrative and office support services that contribute to the smooth and efficient running of the branch/department. Areas of work include general administration and office support and HR-, finance- and procurement-related support, requiring the use and application of ILO administrative and financial rules, regulations, policies, procedures and processes (applicable standards).

The incumbent works under direct supervision of the Branch Chief. The incumbent works independently in delivering specialized support services. Work is reviewed for the timely delivery of results. Supervision received is focused on the quality of process execution and to provide developmental and technical support. The incumbent provides guidance and may allocate tasks to office and administrative support staff.

Internal contacts are with diverse organizational units throughout the Organization to coordinate meetings, enlist support, clarify and exchange information and follow up on administrative actions and deadlines. External contacts are with visitors, meetings participants and service providers to share information for the completion of pending issues.

1. Perform and coordinate a broad range of administrative and office support tasks, ensuring compliance with applicable standards. Oversee and guide the work of office and administrative support staff, establish work priorities, assign tasks and provide on-the-job training, as required.
2. Keep informed of pertinent administrative and financial rules, regulations, procedures and processes and provide guidance and support on these, where required. Keep informed of the organizational unit's activities and work priorities.
3. Review, process and follow up on incoming communications, including on sensitive and confidential matters. Handle administrative and general information requests. Prepare, draft, perform quality control, finalize and/or upload to webpages/disseminate outgoing general and administrative correspondence, reports, publications and other documentation. Provide informal translations.
4. Maintain the supervisor's agenda. Schedule appointments and meetings according to priority, including for delegates and other high-level officials. Welcome and guide visitors to meeting rooms. Prepare mission files. Assist with official travel arrangements. Prepare cost estimates.
5. Ensure information and records management systems and electronic workspaces are maintained, updated, accessible and efficiently structured.
6. Process and follow up on a wide range of transactions using the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, verifying that information is complete and in compliance with applicable standards.
7. Provide, organize and coordinate a range of administrative and logistical support services for meetings and other events. Ensure the timely preparation, translation, publication and dissemination of documents, presentations, briefing files and related materials. Take minutes of meetings as requested.
8. Perform leave administration duties. Provide information on official travel, leave and teleworking schedules to the supervisor when requested.
9. Serve as focal point for administrative matters relating to performance management, interns and other HR matters.
10. Manage office supplies, furniture and equipment. Organize office moves based on agreed schedules and support their implementation. Manage logistics for staff movements.
11. Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

Completion of secondary school education.

Minimum of five years of relevant experience.

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

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:

Good knowledge of established standards governing concerned operational areas. Ability to interpret and work within the applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

Knowledge of ILO programmes and activities.

Proficient in the use of computer software packages, such as Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams).

Good knowledge of SharePoint or another document management system.

Good level of ability to work with an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.

Ability to quickly grasp and work efficiently with a minimum of training assistance 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.

Strong drafting skills.

Analytical skills and attention to detail.

Interpersonal and communication skills. Tact and diplomacy. Discretion in dealing with confidential matters.

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 ILO People. 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.