UNHCR

Assistant Administrative Officer (N)

Bangkok (MCO), Thailand Full time

Deadline for Applications

November 28, 2025

Hardship Level

A (least hardship)

Family Type

Family

Family Type

Family

Residential location (if applicable)

Grade

NOA

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

National Professional Officer

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Target Start Date

2026-01-01

Standard Job Description

Assistant Administrative Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Assistant Administrative Officer is responsible for supporting the Office/Bureau in the implementation of general administrative and resource management tasks. The incumbent assists the Supervisor in all administrative matters addressing day to day tasks and contributing to deliver administrative activities.
S/he will contribute to 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. Frequent external contacts are counterparts in other organizations or in national Governments at working level related to issues of importance to the Organization's programmes.

Direct supervision is received from the immediate supervisor. The incumbent will also refer to UNHCR and UN handbooks and policy papers concerning administrative rules and regulations.

The incumbent may directly supervise general service staff.

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
- Monitor the day-to-day personnel and administrative operations of the office.
- Participates in the recruitment and training of General Service staff for specialized and non-specialized work and assign General Service staff to meet work requirements.
- Supervises activities concerned with office and grounds maintenance, security, transport and similar services.
- Briefs international staff on general administrative matters, provide advice and ensure administrative support as required.
- Contributes to the preparation of submissions of new or revised procedures and practices.
- Prepares correspondence, special reports, evaluations and justifications as required on general administrative matters.
- Handles all personnel matters related to attendance records leave, issuance of visas, licence, etc.
- Coordinate training and capacity-building activities to staff in administrative related areas.
- Facilitate the mission travel of staff, including following up on travel authorizations, bookings, tickets.

- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P1/NOA - 1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Public or Business Administration; Economics; or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified.

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specified.
Desirable
Good knowledge of UNHCR's administrative rules and procedures. Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the position.

Functional Skills
*IT-Computer Literacy
UN-UN/UNHCR Administrative Rules, Regulations and Procedures
CO-Strategic Communication
CO-Drafting and Documentation
SC-UN/UNHCR Procurement Rules and Procedures
BU-PeopleSoft EPM/Budget
MG-Resource 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.

Desired Candidate Profile

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

,

,

Desired languages

,

,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link: 

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

The Assistant Administrative Officer is responsible for all administrative functions, including administration, finance and human resources for all countries (Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Viet Nam) and locations (Mae Hong Song and Mae Sot) under the purview of the Multi Country Office (MCO).

The Assistant Administrative Officer reports to the Representative and works closely with a diverse team of colleagues.  S/he plays an important role in building a healthy work environment. 

 

The Assistant Administrative Officer must ensure compliance with UN administrative, financial and human resources rules and procedures. 

The Assistant Administrative Officer equally plays a critical role in procurement, and asset and fleet management.  S/he may seek/receive functional guidance from the Senior Management Support Coordinator, at the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific. 

 

The Assistant Administrative Officer supervises the Administration Unit at the MCO providing guidance and support to Administration Units in other locations and colleagues to ensure compliance with standards and procedures and consistency countrywide. While the position is based in Bangkok, the Associate Administrative Officer, may be required to travel to field locations to provide functional support and guidance on general administration, human resources and financial management, and to ensure that effective internal controls are in place. 

 

The Assistant Administrative Officer may also be required to attend inter-agency meetings on administration and finance matters. The incumbent should able to represent UNHCR in these fora.

 

As a humanitarian actor, UNHCR may be called upon to respond to emergencies at any time, depending on the evolving situation.

The Assistant Administrative Officer plays a critical role in ensuring operational continuity and efficiency during such times.

 


 

Additional Qualifications

Skills

BU-PeopleSoft EPM/Budget, CO-Drafting and Documentation, CO-Strategic Communication, IT-Computer Literacy, MG-Resource Management, SC-UN/UNHCR Procurement Rules and Procedures, UN-UN/UNHCR Administrative Rules, Regulations and Procedures

Education

Bachelor of Arts: Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts: Economics, Bachelor of Arts: Public Administration

Certifications

Work Experience

Competencies

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

UNHCR Salary Calculator

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

Compendium

Additional Information

Functional clearance

This position requires Functional Clearance