Administrative Assistant
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)
Addis Ababa, Addis Ababa, ET
Role description
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is seeking a qualified individual contractor to provide administrative and operational support for major Commission events, including preparations for the Conference of Ministers (CoM 2027) and the 13th Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD 13).
Job Overview
Job Search Platform
Category Details Organization United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Job Title Administrative Assistant Job Opening ID 287738 Job Family Administration Job Category and Level Affiliate Personnel – Consultants/Individual Contractors (CON) Recruitment Type Individual Contractor Duty Station Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Contract Duration 6 months Date Posted November 6, 2026 Application Deadline November 12, 2026
About the Organization
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is a regional commission of the United Nations Secretariat. It supports the economic and social development of African countries and promotes regional integration and international cooperation.
Job Purpose
The Administrative Assistant will provide effective operational and administrative support for ECA's major events, ensuring efficient planning, coordination, management and successful delivery in line with the Commission's operational requirements.
Key Responsibilities
The selected individual will perform the following duties:
Support preparations for the Conference of Ministers (CoM 2027) and the 13th Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD 13), coordinating with relevant teams across the Commission. Draft routine correspondence and respond to inquiries relating to administrative, financial, audit and personnel matters. Coordinate with ECA service units and maintain regular communication with internal teams. Organize official meetings and conferences, including venue reservations, participant lists, invitations, catering, seating arrangements, background documents, equipment and interpretation services. Coordinate event logistics, including conference-room bookings, travel arrangements and interpretation support. Support the administration of contacts between ECA and Member States and respond to related inquiries. Collect and analyze data and prepare presentations and reports to support information sharing, planning and decision-making. Initiate, process and follow up on administrative actions related to human resource requirements, including recruitment of staff and consultants, in accordance with UN rules and procedures. Draft correspondence, memoranda and reports using standard word-processing software. Assist with updating information materials, including web pages and brochures, and support the preparation of visual materials. Provide guidance and assistance to facility users regarding technical, security and other access requirements. Welcome guests, support event setup and provide in-session assistance to the Secretary of the Commission and other officials. Perform other related administrative and operational duties as required.
Qualifications and Experience
Education
A high school diploma is required. Knowledge of office administrative procedures is an advantage.
Work Experience
The vacancy announcement contains an inconsistency in its experience requirement: it states “a minimum of seven (5) years” of progressively responsible experience in administration, operations, facilities support, conference and events support, programme support or a related area. The required experience is reduced to three years for candidates who hold a first-level university degree or higher. Experience working within the United Nations common system or another international organization is desirable.
Important: Applicants should consult the official vacancy announcement to confirm the applicable experience requirement because the published wording gives conflicting figures.
Language Requirements
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Amharic is an advantage. Knowledge of French or another official United Nations language is an advantage.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
Additional Information
Women and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Applicants may indicate whether reasonable accommodation is required during the recruitment and selection process. This is an individual contractor opportunity with an expected duration of six months.
Job Overview
Job Search Platform
Category Details Organization United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Job Title Administrative Assistant Job Opening ID 287738 Job Family Administration Job Category and Level Affiliate Personnel – Consultants/Individual Contractors (CON) Recruitment Type Individual Contractor Duty Station Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Contract Duration 6 months Date Posted November 6, 2026 Application Deadline November 12, 2026
About the Organization
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is a regional commission of the United Nations Secretariat. It supports the economic and social development of African countries and promotes regional integration and international cooperation.
Job Purpose
The Administrative Assistant will provide effective operational and administrative support for ECA's major events, ensuring efficient planning, coordination, management and successful delivery in line with the Commission's operational requirements.
Key Responsibilities
The selected individual will perform the following duties:
Support preparations for the Conference of Ministers (CoM 2027) and the 13th Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD 13), coordinating with relevant teams across the Commission. Draft routine correspondence and respond to inquiries relating to administrative, financial, audit and personnel matters. Coordinate with ECA service units and maintain regular communication with internal teams. Organize official meetings and conferences, including venue reservations, participant lists, invitations, catering, seating arrangements, background documents, equipment and interpretation services. Coordinate event logistics, including conference-room bookings, travel arrangements and interpretation support. Support the administration of contacts between ECA and Member States and respond to related inquiries. Collect and analyze data and prepare presentations and reports to support information sharing, planning and decision-making. Initiate, process and follow up on administrative actions related to human resource requirements, including recruitment of staff and consultants, in accordance with UN rules and procedures. Draft correspondence, memoranda and reports using standard word-processing software. Assist with updating information materials, including web pages and brochures, and support the preparation of visual materials. Provide guidance and assistance to facility users regarding technical, security and other access requirements. Welcome guests, support event setup and provide in-session assistance to the Secretary of the Commission and other officials. Perform other related administrative and operational duties as required.
Qualifications and Experience
Education
A high school diploma is required. Knowledge of office administrative procedures is an advantage.
Work Experience
The vacancy announcement contains an inconsistency in its experience requirement: it states “a minimum of seven (5) years” of progressively responsible experience in administration, operations, facilities support, conference and events support, programme support or a related area. The required experience is reduced to three years for candidates who hold a first-level university degree or higher. Experience working within the United Nations common system or another international organization is desirable.
Important: Applicants should consult the official vacancy announcement to confirm the applicable experience requirement because the published wording gives conflicting figures.
Language Requirements
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Amharic is an advantage. Knowledge of French or another official United Nations language is an advantage.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
Additional Information
Women and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Applicants may indicate whether reasonable accommodation is required during the recruitment and selection process. This is an individual contractor opportunity with an expected duration of six months.