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UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.  To learn more about UNICEF career and the work in Rwanda, please visit our website https://unicef.sharepoint.com/sites/RWA/ and UNICEF Careers | UNICEF Careers. 

For every child, Dedication!

The UNICEF Rwanda Country Programme 2025-2029 aims to support the Government in meeting its commitments to respect, protect and fulfill children’s rights in line with the Convention of the Rights of the Child and the 2022 recommendations from the Committee on the Rights of the Child. It is aligned with the Government’s priorities, as identified in the National Strategy of Transformation II 2024-2029 (NTS 2) recently endorsed by the government. The office raises approximately USD 12 million annually from public and private donors and increasingly contributes to leveraging funds for the government in social sectors. In an increasingly competitive environment, the RCO needs a full-time Senior Driver professional.

How can you make a difference?

The Executive Associate is accountable for procedural communications, operations and administrative support services to ensure the smooth running of the of the Office of the Representative and to ensure continued high-standing for UNICEF in Rwanda. This includes day-to-day activities of agenda planning, prioritization, interaction with Government entities, including protocol, with UN and other Partners. The Executive Associate also represents the Representative in initiating, following up on and resolving issues pertaining to administrative or procedural requests, pending cases and the governance bodies under the Office of the Representative. The position also represents the Representative’s Office in interactions with senior staff, government counterparts, partners, and external stakeholders with the highest degree of integrity, discretion, and professionalism.

Key functions/accountabilities:

Administrative, substantive and executive assistance to facilitate smooth running of the office and effective processing of pending issues, and information.

• Manage the immediate office operations with respect to communications, meetings and workflow; identifies complex or sensitive subjects, and contacts, for special treatment as well as priority issues that need to be brought to the supervisor's attention. As appropriate, provides information and guidance to staff at all levels to ensure understanding of intent and deadlines and ensure timely preparation for all for the Office of the Representative.
• Establishes internal tracking systems and procedures for correspondence and documents; tracks and follows up on standing and pending issues, ensures institutional memory by fling, copying and involving all relevant colleagues, monitors work progress and highlights cases of priority and concern to the Office of the Representative.
• Arrange appointments, including with high level Government Staff and proactively ensure an effective calendar of the Office of the Representative, receives high-ranking visitors, places and screens telephone calls and answers enquiries.
• Organizes high-level meetings including taking responsibility for finalization of the meeting agenda, invitations, the production and distribution of documentation prior to meetings, and preparation of minutes of meetings. Distribute meeting reports and information in a timely manner and ensure follows-up on required actions.
• Organizes and facilitates the administrative work of the office including establishing internal procedures and tracking systems for correspondence and documents: receives screens, registers correspondence and documents and ensures swift responses.
• Collects and prepares briefing materials for supervisor concerning official trips or special meetings. Undertakes travel arrangements for supervisor including arranging itinerary, visas, and hotel reservations. Ensure offices are informed of travel arrangements and requirements. Brief supervisor of important developments upon their return.

Effective preparation and knowledgeable delivery of correspondence, documentation and reports contributing to achievement of work objectives.

• Prepares and quality checks correspondence including required sign offs for the supervisor's signature and may make informal translations into another official language as required. Draft non-substantive correspondence based on first-hand knowledge of work schedule or events, rough notes, or verbal instructions for supervisor approval.
• Understand and communicates sensitive information to senior level managers and coordinates responses to sensitive inquiries on behalf of the Office of Representative.
• Follows up on the preparation by staff of reports, correspondence, briefing notes and other documents for the Office of Representative reference. Ensure that such documents are properly formatted, proofread, etc.
• Selects and makes pertinent abstracts and undertake searches for information as required and on own initiative.

Support to meetings, events, conferences and VIP visits:

• Initiates, coordinates preparation and checks quality of background documents and materials for meetings, events, conferences, and VIP visits, actively connecting the dots.
• Serves as focal person for VIP visits, prepares itineraries and folders, makes appointments, and supports the Deputy Representatives and CAP team to coordinate office planning for such visits.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Education:

• Completion of secondary education is required. A university degree in Social Sciences would be an asset.

Experience:

• A minimum of six years of administrative or organizational work experience is required. Prior experience in programme support functions is an asset. Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• A bachelor’s degree from a recognized academic institution in a field relevant to the position may replace three years of related work experience. A master’s degree may replace an additional two years.

Skills:

• Training and experience using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other UNICEF software such as SharePoint; knowledge of integrated management information systems required and initial exposure to and use of AI
• Thorough knowledge of UNICEF’s organizational structure, administrative policies and procedures and interest in finding simplification and effectiveness.
• Organizational, planning and prioritizing skills and abilities, finishing assignments swiftly with quality while initiating additional assignments.
• Ability to deal patiently and tactfully with colleagues in and outside UNICEF, as his/her interaction impacts UNICEF’s reputation.
• High sense of confidentiality, initiative and good judgment.
• Ability to work effectively with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to work in a team environment to achieve common goals and to provide guidance to more junior support staff.

Desirables:

Attitude: positive outlook with motivation to try new ways of working including full optimization of AI

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English (verbal and written) is required.
• Knowledge of French and Kinyarwanda is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children.

Young Female candidates are highly encouraged!

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.