Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located within Archives Management Unit, Archives and Records Management Section (ARMS), Facilities and Commercial Activities Service (FCAS), Division of Administration (DOA) in the Department of Operational Support. Information Management Assistants reports to the Unit Chief.

The Department of Operational Support was established to provide operational advisory services to operating entities across the Secretariat, including other departments, offices away from headquarters, field missions, and regional commissions.

The Facilities and Commercial Activities Service (FCAS) operates the Headquarters complex, striving to provide effective and efficient planning, management, maintenance and operation for all existing physical facilities and assets at the UN Headquarters, New York. FCAS also supports office and conference facilities, property management, travel and transportation services, archives and records management, mail and pouch operations, catering, giftshop and the United Nations Postal Administration.

The Archives and Records Management Section (ARMS) identifies, preserves and provides access to those records that document the history of the United Nations. ARMS is responsible for all aspects of UN record-keeping, ranging from measures to ensure that United Nations officials create records in the course of their duties, through the management of records in United Nations offices, to preserving and making records of continuing value accessible as United Nations archives.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Information Management Assistant will be responsible for the following duties:

• Supports archival arrangement and description operations by identifying, planning and overseeing projects in consultation with Section archivists and/or in liaison with contractual archivists.
• Undertakes archival arrangement and description projects by researching administrative histories and providing records content analysis for purposes of series description preparation and appraisal determinations; arranges records and prepares archival descriptions according to standards and database protocols.
• Oversees reference and research operations by servicing on-site and remote researchers, including the supervision of reference staff in records identification, retrieval and reproduction and digitization services.
• Provides curatorial and database management for artworks and archival photograph collections.
• Coordinates access and declassification reviews by screening records for security-classified materials, preparing declassification review requests and updating the Section’s database.
• Facilitates the periodic transfer of scheduled records into the Archives by liaising with Secretariat and overseas offices; ensures the completeness and accuracy of transfer documentation; and provides assistance to Secretariat staff in transfer preparations.
• Oversees records accessioning operations by supervising staff in receiving transfers; applies retention schedules and links to previous accessions; and breaks accessions into records series and registers identifiers in the Section’s database.
• Oversees records center operations by overseeing space allocations and associated accessions and database updating; responds to emergency disasters; and monitors environmental quality controls and arranges for the resolution of problems.
• Oversees disposals by liaising with relevant Secretariat staff and off-site storage and paper recycling companies; prepares background information for the review of archivists and implementing retention schedules; supervises the staging of records for disposal; and updates the Section database.
• Oversees contractually stored records by facilitating the establishment of contracts and monitoring compliance; prepares and arranges records for transfer to commercial storage; applies retention schedules and initiating reappraisals and disposals in consultation with archivists; registers actions in the Section database; and provides reference service.
• Maintains statistics on service and workload measures.
• Guides and supervises more junior General Service staff.
• Provides administrative support for the section and unit chiefs and undertakes other duties as assigned.

Competencies

Professionalism Knowledge of electronic record keeping and relevant information systems and networks. Ability to undertake independent research, maintain records in a systematic fashion and to retrieve necessary materials with maximum speed and accuracy. Ability to identify and assess issues and develop accurate retrieval tools for relevant records. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent is required.

 

Work Experience

Minimum 7 years of experience in archives, electronic records management, or related area is required.

Experience working as a processing archivist is desirable.

Experience providing archival reference services is desirable.

Experience working with the records of an international organization is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desriable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year.

This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. All staff in the General Service and related categories shall be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of each office, irrespective of their nationality and of the length of time they may have been in the country. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.

Passing the Global General Service Test (GGST) is a prerequisite for selection consideration in the General Services and related categories in the United Nations Secretariat. Applicants who have not passed the GGST at the time of application may be invited for the test after submitting an application. Staff members who were granted a fixed-term, continuing or permanent appointment as a result of having passed a predecessor test recognized by the Office of Human Resources Management, and who have continuously held such appointments, are not required to take the new test.

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

 

United Nations Considerations

According to 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. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

Apply online here