Executive Support Associate

February 8, 2026

H (no hardship)

FamilyFamily

GS6

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-04-01

Executive Support Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The position of Executive Support Associate is located within a Division/Bureau/Entity or Office of the Representation/Head of Office. The role of this position is to provide administrative and secretarial support services to the Head of Office or immediate Supervisor, in order to ensure the smooth running of the Office and its flow and management of administrative and routinely information. This would involve direct contact with other staff members and contacts with the teams of high ranking officials, both within and outside UNHCR. The incumbent prioritizes tasks and organises work independently based on direction from the Supervisor and has access to highly sensitive and confidential information.

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
- Arrange appointments and maintain Supervisor's calendar, ensure attendance and well set up of meeting rooms, and screen telephone calls.
- Arrange meetings with high-ranking officials and official receptions given by the Supervisor.
- Ensure that high-level visitors are appropriately informed, that they receive background information as necessary, and that the necessary protocols are respected.
- Manage the flow of information to/from the Supervisor and other senior staff; identify priority matters that need to be urgently addressed or signed by the Supervisor. Follow up to ensure that appropriate administrative action is being taken by senior managers on tasks determined by the Supervisor.
- Prepare briefing materials for Supervisor for official trips or special meetings including agenda, travel details and background documents prepared by the Executive Assistant.
- Prepare informal translations if required.
- Receive screen, log and route correspondence, attach necessary background information and maintain follow-up system.
- Draft non-substantive correspondence and ensure follow-up.
- Type correspondence, documents and reports, etc., some of which are highly confidential.
- Select and make pertinent abstracts and undertake searches for information.
- Maintain a file management system according to UNHCR policies, including general and confidential files.
- Keep lists of names, addresses and telephone numbers of ministers, government officials and members of the diplomatic corps.
- Ensure administrative procedures (travel, hospitality expenses, etc.) will be timely concluded.

- 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 G6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
n/a;

Certificates and/or Licenses
Secretarial;
Business Administration;
Human Resources;
Office Management or a related field;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specified

Desirable
Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the position.

Functional Skills
*CO-Drafting and Documentation
*IT-Computer Literacy
CO-Editing
UN-UN/UNHCR Administrative Rules, Regulations and Procedures
(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.

Operational Context
The full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation on 24 February 2022 triggered one of the fastest-growing displacement and humanitarian crises on record, forcing millions of people into internal displacement and across borders in search of safety. Since the onset of the crisis, a total of 199,538 refugees have been granted temporary protection in Romania as of 30 November 2025, according to data from the Government of Romania. UNHCR, together with other UN agencies and non-governmental organizations, supports the Government of Romania’s response through inter-agency coordination of the Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRP) 2025–2026, in line with the Refugee Coordination Model. Implemented under government leadership, the RRP sets out strategic priorities and activities aimed at ensuring the protection, inclusion and long-term solutions for refugees from Ukraine who are beneficiaries of temporary protection in Romania. UNHCR in Romania addresses the needs of refugees through its Country Office in Bucharest and a field presence at the Emergency Transit Centre (ETC) for refugees in Timișoara. In 2025, however, UNHCR closed its two field offices in Constanța and Suceava and reduced its staffing levels in Romania by nearly 50 per cent due to severe funding constraints. These closures and staffing reductions paired with a significant reduction of its overall budget, have significantly affected UNHCR’s operational capacity, including its ability to maintain a sustained presence in northern and eastern parts of the country. Consequently, direct support to refugee communities has been reduced, especially in the areas related to inclusion and self-reliance, while engagement with local authorities and partners to address complex protection and integration challenges has become more limited. Despite these constraints, UNHCR remains committed to supporting refugees through continued coordination and engagement from its presence in Bucharest. Key figures as of end 2025: 199,538 refugees obtained temporary protection in Romania (as of 30 November 2025). 9 UNHCR partners operating in 15 counties implementing a wide range of programmes and activities (reduced to 6 partners operating in 7 counties by the end of 2025). 46,580 refugees supported with 190,295 core relief items (CRIs). 11,857 refugees provided with protection counselling services and legal support. 5,903 refugees supported with livelihood and employment services. 43 Refugee Response Plan partners including 33 national NGOs under the 2025 RRP appeal. In 2025, UNHCR implemented projects through nine national and international partner NGOs across 15 counties in Romania, later reduced to six partners operating in seven counties as a result of funding limitations. Furthermore, UNHCR has supported 12 refugee and community led organizations in 9 counties to support their grassroot activities both with the refugee and host communities.

DESIRED CANDIDATE PROFILE

The desired candidate will bring a minimum of 5 years of proven, directly relevant experience providing high level administrative, secretarial, and executive support to senior managers and heads of office within complex, fast-paced organizations. They must demonstrate a strong track record in managing executive calendars, organizing meetings with high-ranking officials, coordinating official visits, and handling highly confidential information with discretion. The candidate should have substantial experience in drafting and managing correspondence, preparing briefing materials, maintaining structured filing systems, and ensuring the smooth flow of information across senior leadership. They must possess excellent computer literacy, including advanced skills in MS Office, and be fully capable of producing polished, accurate documents independently. Strong communication skills in English are essential, along with proven ability to prioritize, work autonomously, and handle sensitive protocols and administrative procedures efficiently.
Being a Security Focal Point, the desired candidate for the Executive Support Associate role should have proven experience in the UN field security system, strong liaison/negotiation skills with local authorities, knowledge of security risk assessments. Familiarity with UN Security Management Systems (UNSMS) is crucial.
Romanian and English are required.
Candidates may be invited to sit for a written test.

English

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Romanian

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Nature of Position:

Living and Working Conditions:

 

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CO-Drafting and Documentation, CO-Editing, IT-Computer Literacy, UN-UN/UNHCR Administrative Rules, Regulations and Procedures

Certifications

Business Administration - Other, Human Resources - Other, Office Management - Other, Secretarial - Other

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration

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

Compendium

Additional Information

Candidates may be invited to sit for a written test.

The English version is considered original and authoritative, translation to other language(s) serve the purpose of advertisement of local positions where applicable but are not considered as official translations

Candidates may be invited to sit for a written test.

This position doesn't require a functional clearance