Administrative Assistant Application Letter for UN Mission in Kosovo

This document is a job application letter by Ditona Mekaj for the position of Administrative Assistant at the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) in Pristina. The applicant highlights 19 years of experience in both private and public sectors, including work with the United Nations (UNMIL, OHCHR, UNOPS, IMF), traditional donors, and international NGOs. The application emphasizes management and financial skills, resource mobilization expertise, and knowledge of UN rules and regulations. The applicant details experience in finance management, human resources, and administrative duties, including budget planning, financial reporting, and staff management. The letter also addresses personal skills, such as communication, teamwork, and initiative, and expresses a willingness to serve in a conflict-ridden region. The applicant expresses confidence in meeting the requirements of the position and includes a summary of their qualifications and experience, as well as a willingness to provide further information.

Dear Madam/Sir,
Over the past 19 years I have gained experience working both in private and public
sectors, within the United Nations (UNMIL, OHCHR, UNOPS and IMF), traditional
donors such as Swiss Cooperation Office (SDC) and international NGOs (Norwegian
Red Cross and Save the Children). During this time I have developed significant
management and financial skills to thrive in any challenging administrative as well as
human resources management role. I have developed in-depth knowledge on
resources mobilization including human resources, finances and office administration.
In this respect, I would like to emphasize the substantial managerial experience and
skills I have acquired from establishing and making operational of Accessible Quality
Healthcare an SDC funded project in Kosovo. In addition, I further consolidated my
knowledge of UN rules and regulations while working with UN agencies and
UNMIL/DPKO which constitutes a strong asset for this position. Based on these
qualifications and experiences which I have gathered over the years, I feel confident
enough to apply for the post of Administrative Assistant offered by the United
Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo, at Pristina. With full honesty and
with the fullest fervor of my conviction, I declare my willingness to serve in a conflict
ridden region of the world. I hope that the experience shall be a golden opportunity
for me to apply my knowledge and skills for the betterment of the distressed ones and
also shall be upholding the noble mission which the United Nations Organization has
devoted itself to. Hence, I have decided to apply for the post as per the vacancy notice
issued.
I feel confident in handling finance, administrative and human resources policies,
including budget planning and strategic decision making. While working with
OHCHR and UNMIL, I have been engaged in managing finances, including
settlement of unliquidated fund commitments and project advances, coordinated with
team members to keep track of completed and pipeline project activities before
finalizing any financial progress reports. While working with Accessible Quality
Healthcare Project I managed the project finances until hiring of the Finance Officer. I
played the role of chief officers when I have arranged the substantive programs and
the security protocols for implementing the international visits to UNMIK and
Kosovo of the foreign dignitaries.
I have extensive experience in monitoring employment contracts, reviewing terms and
conditions, staff benefits, leave, entitlements, organizational budgets planning, budget
revisions, financial reporting, keeping in mind key performance indicators and
mission goals. I have also contributed to developing standard operating procedures
and completing reports for projects. I am also proficient in minutes taking, official
memo, and correspondence issuance and thrive on support, supervision and mentoring
of junior support staff, to contribute to their capacity building by identifying technical
and competency training needs. I have determined some issues regarding the
employee management that they are lacking in adopting the updated technical skills.
Thus by managing time from their working schedule they were provided trainings for
gaining the effective technical skills.
I have faced competencies regarding the professionalism as I need to develop the
skills for remaining calm in the difficult situations, and the skills of developing
persistence towards the difficult challenges and controlling pride in achievements. I
was lacking in maintaining effective communications with the employees as I use to
have the formal communications but later I developed the communication strategies

for motivating the employees. I used the tailor’s language, tone, style for
demonstrating the openness in sharing the effective informations and informing the
peoples.
Among my personal skills, I have been described by my supervisors as being clearly
articulated and approachable. I am an optimistic person, who believes in team work as
a means to achieve common objectives. As clearly reflected in my CV, I take
initiatives and am always accountable to meet deadlines. I am constantly willing to
extend my skills through various courses that I undertook over the past years.
Based on my qualifications, working experience and personal skills, I am confident
that I meet all requirements for the position. I remain at your disposal for any further
information you may require. Thank you for your kind consideration and I look
forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Ditona Mekaj