Main purpose of job:

An exciting opportunity for an active and dynamic person to work at the forefront of international diplomacy and in the heart of the British Government’s Mission to the United Nations (UKMIS NY).

You will act as Executive Assistant to the UK ECOSOC Ambassador/Humanitarian, Development and Peacebuilding Counsellor and provide administrative, budget management and some policy support to the wider Humanitarian Peacebuilding and Development (HPD) section at the UK Mission to the United Nations.

The Humanitarian Peacebuilding and Development section is an exciting team of 16 colleagues at the heart of the 115 person strong UK Mission’s effort to promote key Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) objectives on peacebuilding, humanitarian affairs, climate change, and wider development policy at the United Nations.

You will work with a diverse range of stakeholders, both within and outside the UK government, on a wide range of issues. The jobholder must have an adaptable approach and a ‘can do’ attitude’ with a willingness to learn and work flexibly across a broad range of issues, including new areas which might emerge during the individual’s time in the role.

Roles and responsibilities:

Over the course of the year will include:

• Providing secretarial and administrative support to the UK ECOSOC Ambassador through: effective diary management to ensure their time is used efficiently and purposefully, monitoring of and responding to correspondence, accurate reconciling of expenses, creative use of social media, and working collaboratively with others to ensure high-quality briefings and statements for UN meetings/events.
• Providing administrative support to the wider HPD team including: information management, compiling briefing, co-managing the UK Mission shared inbox and incoming correspondence, budget planning and monitoring, annual leave management, and monitoring, managing stationery and other office supplies.
• Assisting with UKMIS-led virtual and in-person events, including: designing and issuing invitations, managing RSVPs, coordinating with relevant external stakeholders at the UN, handling virtual room settings and speakers’ lists, and booking refreshments.
• Assisting with incoming visits, including by UK Ministers, senior officials and UK election candidates, by setting up programmes, organising logistics and arranging catering.
• Covering for the other members of the UKMIS Administrative Team as necessary; including some flexible hours.
• Additional duties, tasks, and/or projects as assigned.
• For the right candidate, there will opportunities to develop policy skills and an understanding of diplomacy and multilateral work, as long as the post-holder’s core duties and responsibilities are being well delivered. Policy work could include: attending UN meetings and events on behalf of the UK, attending UN negotiations on behalf of the UK, writing briefing for senior meetings and writing meeting readouts for colleagues and being part of policy development and discussions.

• Bachelor’s degree or a minimum of two years’ work experience in a relevant field;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Track record of organisational skills, including managing multiple tasks and strong attention to detail;
• Keen and flexible team player, ready to help out all colleagues and sections when they need it;
• Strong computer literacy and proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint;
• Under US State Department requirements, the Mission may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Green Card holders or G visa holders*. If you hold a visa other than a G visa you are not currently eligible to work at the Mission. Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at www.gov.uk/world/usa. *A visas are acceptable at the Embassy and Consulates. The UK Mission to the UN (UKMIS) accepts G visas, and British Defence Staff (BDS) outposts accept A or NATO visas.

• Experience of work in public service
• Knowledge of the work of the UN
• Familiarity with the UK Government

Learning and development opportunities:

The Mission supports the professional learning and development of all colleagues. While the UN schedule can be demanding and occasionally inflexible, the Mission’s leadership is committed to doing all it can to improve the work/life balance of its staff, and encourages flexible working when possible.

Working patterns:

Normal working hours are 9:00am - 5:30. The UK Mission supports fully flexible working opportunities, to improve the work/ life balance of its staff and promote family-friendly working patterns, where operational and security needs allow. The Mission is committed to building a diverse environment and prides itself on upholding the principles of diversity and inclusion and providing equal opportunities for all.

We welcome candidates of any race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity, disability, age, or any other category. The Mission is committed to building a diverse environment. UKMIS New York prides itself on upholding the principles of diversity and inclusion and providing equal opportunities for all.

We strive to nurture a diverse workforce by promoting policies that emphasize fairness, transparency, creativity and a comfortable and safe working environment in which individual differences are respected and the contributions of all staff are recognized and valued. The Mission values honesty, integrity, professionalism, and teamwork. Treating all colleagues with respect is fundamental. We have a zero tolerance policy towards bullying, harassment and discrimination.

We want staff to express themselves freely, to think creatively and to feel free to challenge policy perspectives constructively. The Mission supports the professional learning and development of all colleagues. While the UN schedule can be demanding and occasionally inflexible, the Mission’s leadership is committed to doing all it can to improve the work/life balance of its staff, and encourages flexible working when possible.