UNDP Executive Assistant Job 2026

Overview

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is recruiting an Executive Assistant to the Resident Representative in San Jose, Costa Rica. The post is full-time, with an initial contract of 4 months and a possibility of extension. The Executive Assistant provides high-level executive and administrative support to the Resident Representative and helps the office run efficiently, with coordination across programme and operations teams, government institutions, UN agencies and external partners. The role calls for discretion, confidentiality and the ability to juggle several priorities.

Duties include managing the Resident Representative's calendar, organising meetings, preparing agendas and documentation, drafting correspondence, briefing notes and presentations, recording minutes and following up on actions. The assistant also supports budget monitoring and financial reporting, organises workshops and events, coordinates travel, and supports procurement and contract administration, payment requests, terms of reference, quotations, expense claims and asset management.

Requirements

A High School Diploma is required, together with six years of relevant experience. Candidates with a bachelor's degree need three years of relevant experience, and a degree in business administration, project management, accounting, corporate finance, human resources, international relations or business management is an advantage. Relevant experience includes executive assistance, administrative support, secretariat services, office management and programme support.

Preference goes to applicants with experience supporting senior management, drafting minutes and official correspondence, institutional protocol, inter-agency coordination, budget management, procurement procedures and ERP systems such as Atlas or Quantum. Fluency in Spanish and English is required, and knowledge of another official UN language is an advantage.

How to apply

Applicants submit an online application through UNDP with a CV, academic certificates, professional references, identification documents and any other documents requested.

Key dates

The application deadline is 10 August 2026.