Job Description

Please note that this vacancy is only open to eligible staff members who have been individually notified of their eligibility to apply for positions advertised in the Accelerated Posting Compendium.

June 12, 2026

D

Non Family with Residential Location

Addis Ababa,Eth Fed Dem Rep

PR4

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-05-26

Senior Administrative Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Administrative Officer is part of the Senior Management of an office. The incumbent is responsible for the implementation of general administrative and resource management tasks as delegated by the supervisor. S/he will work with an oversight from the supervisor, who will provide general guidance and work plans for identifying work priorities and appropriate approaches; work is controlled for meeting expected results.
The Senior Administrative Officer will establish and maintain efficient administrative control mechanisms to ensure compliance with UN administrative, financial and human resources rules and procedures. Contacts on administrative/budgetary related issues are mainly with Sections/Units/Offices within the organization both at HQ and in the Field and with local suppliers/services to ensure provision of services and resolution of difficult problems.
The incumbent will maintain frequent external contacts with counterparts in other organizations or at working level in national Governments on issues of importance to Organization's programmes. S/he acts as adviser or representative of the Organization with authority to discuss problems and seek common ground on which to recommend solutions based on predetermined guidelines provided by higher authority.
The incumbent may directly supervise professional and general service staff, either local or international.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties
- Ensure the provision of resources (human, material and services) necessary to support the day-to-day activities of the staff in the office.
- Manage the day-to-day personnel and administrative operations of the Office.
- Ensure that the working environment is healthy and respectful, and free from hazard or security risks.
- In coordination with Human Resources and Field Security, undertake periodic reviews to ensure that the Office premises are set up and staff accommodation are managed in line with the organizational policies and any related issues are brought to the attention of Division of People Management (DPM).
- Undertake missions to field locations to review administrative arrangements and make appropriate recommendations as required.
- Formulate and implement staff safety and security measures, in consultation with the Head of Office and Field Security Officers (FSOs).Ensure MOSS/MORSS compliance in consultation with FSOs.
- Bring issues to the attention of senior management relating to compliance with UNHCR standards of work-life balance, security (including MOSS/MORSS), health, well-being and living conditions of staff, and resource allocation.
- Allocate office space.
- Liaise with Government and other external actors in providing vital supportive services (i.e. processing of visas; tax exemptions, etc.).
- Attend inter-agency meetings with other UN agencies with specific focus on general administration, staff safety and human resources issues (i.e. common services).
- In the absence of an HR Officer, prepare recruitment, appointments and administrative formalities concerning local staff
- Serve in an advisory capacity in counselling staff members.
- Review and approve the settlement of employee entitlements including DSA, local salaries and the Medical Insurance Plan (MIP).
- Advise on matters pertaining to administrative and staffing requirements in the Division/Bureau/Office.
- In cooperation with HR, endorse staffing management strategies, and ensure local compliance with UNHCR's workplace standards.
- Issue and extend contracts for locally recruited staff.
- Coordinate training and capacity-building activities to staff in administrative related areas.
- Provide guidance and support on UNHCR's internal control framework, financial rules, policies and procedures.
- Prepare the ABOD for the Office, and monitor the budgetary execution of it.
- Control and check the monthly accounts and various administrative activities.
- Ensure that appropriate internal controls are in place.
- In cooperation with Supply, prepare a procurement plan, initiate and coordinate local procurement for the smooth running of the Office.
- Manage contracts and relations with suppliers.
- Recommend local service providers (e.g. building security guards and cleaning companies).
- Award, issue and terminate (local) contracts and frame agreements in accordance with delegated authorities and UNHCR regulations, rules and procedures.
- Serve as a member of the Local Contracts Committee (LCC) in accordance with delegated authorities.
- Participate in the physical verification of UNHCR property plant and equipment.
- Enforce compliance with UNHCR's financial and administrative rules, policies and instructions.

- Lead risk assessments and discussions with team(s) to proactively manage risks and seize opportunities impacting objectives. Ensure that risk management principles are integrated in decision-making both at strategic and operational levels. Allocate resources for planned treatments with resource requirements in Strategic Plans. Ensure that risks are managed to acceptable levels and escalate, as needed. If a Risk Owner, designate the Risk Focal Point and certify that the annual risk review is completed and ensure that the risk register is updated during the year, as needed.
- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P4/NOD - 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Accounting; Public or Business Administration; Economics; or other relevant field.
(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Certificates and/or Licenses
UNHCR Management Learning Programme
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential:
Minimum 5 years of relevant work experience in an International Organization (United Nations or similar). Good understanding and/or experience of financial and HR modules of a major Enterprise Resource Planning system (such as PeopleSoft, SAP or Oracle). Excellent communication and negotiation skills. Experience of managing people in a multinational/multicultural environments.
Desirable:
Completion of relevant UNHCR Management learning programme. Experience in procurement in an International Organization. Accounting qualification from an internationally recognized Institute of Accounting.

Functional Skills
IT-Computer Literacy
UN-UN/UNHCR Administrative Rules, Regulations and Procedures
CO-Drafting and Documentation
MG-Resource Management
GB-Building Maintenance
SC-Inventory / Stock management
DV-Vehicle Management
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Essential Attributes
1. Strong experience in managing financial and administrative operations in highly complex environments, deep field, Emergency or High-Risk Duty Stations similar to West & Central Africa context
2. Proven experience in financial oversight, administration, asset and fleet management, risk mitigation, audit, administrative advisory and internal control settings, ideally within and/or the UNHCR framework
3. Proved leadership, problem solving and managerial skills to lead diverse teams in a complex operational environment (Fleet and Asset Management, ICT, Finance, HR, and General Administration).
4. Strong experience in supporting senior management strategies, capacity-building, training, and implementation of admin and finance procedures, and good Knowledge of ERP systems
5. Experience in performing staffing reviews, Finance, Travel, Budget, Fleet management and Duty of Care.
6. Experience in implementing efficiency management and innovation initiatives such as solarization of offices and mobile payment.

Desirable Attributes: To promote diversity within the operation, including geographic diversity, candidates from underrepresented nationalities in Chad operation are particularly encouraged to apply.
• Experience in participating in OMT,
• Good knowledge of the UN Business Operation Strategy (BOS)

French

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

The Senior Administrative Officer is part of the Senior Management team and supervised directly by the Representative. S/he will establish and maintain efficient administrative and financial control mechanisms to ensure compliance with UN Financial, Administrative and Staff rules and procedures. The incumbent is supervising ICT, HR Admin and Finance colleagues.

Living and Working Conditions:
Ndjamena is the capital and largest city in Chad. Its infrastructure remains basic, though widely superior to the standards of other regions within Chad. The climate is hot and semi-arid, with a rainy season from June to September. UNHCR Staff can stay in personal residences while respecting Residential Security Measures. Electricity supply can be unstable especially in the hot seasons and international staff members can have access to generators by the office.

Clean Water supplies are sufficient in most areas, but a personal food and drinkable water supply is required.

Most relevant supplies can be found on local markets though choice can be limited compared to other hubs, but prices are high as most goods are imported. Banking facilities are available through local banks, such as Ecobank and BCC. Health care standards can be qualified as basic with staff members encouraged to subscribe to the International SOS Clinic Services for local medical attention. However, dental, and other specialized care may not be locally available. Serious or complicated health conditions require evacuation to other countries. Malaria is the most common but not the only infectious disease prevalent in Ndjamena and most other regions of Chad. A limited number of companies fly international flights to Ndjamena while UNHAS flights are the prime means of transport to and from Field locations.

Telecommunication services are basic and expensive with two mobile phone / internet operators with 4G services available as well as an increasing number of providers, installing fiber connections. Access to some communication and social media apps, most notably WhatsApp are currently available but unstable connectivity.

The UNHCR Office is covered by UNHCRs own VSAT services. Several UN Agencies, INGOs and NGOs operate in Ndjamena and use it as a hub. A French military base is located adjacent to Ndjamena international airport. Currently the RR cycle in Ndjamena is 8 weeks as well as in other duty station except Bagasola which is 6 weeks.

French is largely spoken in Ndjamena, but Arabic is the basic and preferred language of communication in most settings.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Bachelor of Arts: Accounting, Bachelor of Arts: Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts: Economics, Bachelor of Arts: Finance, Bachelor of Arts: Public Professions

Certifications

HCR Management Learning Program - UNHCR

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Accelerated Posting Compendium 2026 - Part B

Additional Information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance