I was invited by UNICEF for a technical test. Please, can someone help me with what it entails. Has anybody in this forum attended any UNICEF test?

Ngozi

Hi, this is actually my first post.
I for one work with The World Health Organization which is part or the United Nations, just like UNICEF. What's more, we even share premises in my location.
What i know for sure is that the test would test your mastery of the skills required for the job position applied for.
What i mean is that, u need to demonstrate competence as per the job position u intend to fill.
Most times, jobs in the UN require finished (adept) products.

Goodluck!

Thanks for the mail,

I was invited for the post of Admin Assistant. The test will be held at the UN office in Abuja. Please I need more information on what to read. I just got GMAT textbook. How relevant is it? If you are in Abuja, I would like us to meet.

Thanks for the help.

Hi,
First i would love to know if u r being invited for an Aptitude Test. I doubt anyway.
An AA (Administrative Assistant) is responsible for a wide range of things.
Here In WHO for instance, the AA is responsible for all finance-related issues (salaries, payments, arranging for venues for meetings, etc).
I believe this gives u a bright picture.
So in summary, i think you need to get past the GMAT stuff alone. You may be required to demonstrate ur ability to manage finances and other administrative duties.
Here for instance, every financial transaction is entered to a special package meant for same. It goes without saying then that u must be computer literate.
Also note that ur performance at the oral interview would be the final joker. The guys u r gonna meet would look out for that thing that makes u stand out from the rest.
Do not be bedecked with anxiety. Do ur best to be prepared and above all NEVER forget to hand it over to God!

I really appreciate your concern,

I was told that it is going to be a technical test. What do they mean by TECHNICAL TEST? Again, that I will be required to use a personal computer to anwswer my questions. Do you have a friend at the UNICEF office, who can give you a clue?

Please I need your comments.
thank you

Now u are closer to it. I did mention to u that GMAT would do little or nothing.
I have asked questions.
In my AA's case, the Technical test was about preparing a budget for an Organization.
Disoriented data was presented and they were required to prepare a budget for the organization.
Questions were also asked on Office Practice. This u should know too.
There was also a session where they were required to reproduce a document with the PC (test of pc skills).
So, now u got a lead.

** Note in the UN System, the AA translates to a job Category of at least GS 6. This means u should have some wealth of experience.
Unicef normally would start u on a fixed term contract of 2 years. I bet u will enjoy this job if u get it!!! Do ur best!!!!!
Goodluck.

Your so wonderful,

You need to do me a favour. The test is on Friday, I would like us to meet.

Please confirm venue and time.

Incidentally, I am not in the Abuja Office. I am in Enugu.
Do not fail to let me know how it went!

Like you rightly said, the test is for Admin. Asst. GS6, please in your own simple words, list the areas, I should focus on from now to friday, for the UNICEF AA job.

I must tell you that you're an Angel. I sincerely appreciate your kind gesture.

God bless you!!!!

Like i mentioned, u should have some good idea of preparing budgets from disjointed data.
U need to know a lot about Office Practice. Raising vouchers, processing payments, salaries, arranging events, etc.
Have basic PC usage knowledge too.
Also read this excerpt:

[b]Description


Administrative assistants perform a range of administrative tasks in an organisation.


Administrative assistants may perform the following tasks:



sort and distribute incoming mail to areas and staff within the organisation, and despatch outgoing mail
write business letters, reports or office memoranda using word-processing equipment
answer telephone enquiries from customers, attend to visitors and assist other staff in the organisation with their enquiries
operate a range of office machines such as photocopiers, computers and faxes
file papers and documents so that they can be easily found when needed
undertake other duties such as banking, credit control or payroll functions.
With experience and sometimes further study, advancement to higher positions, such as office administrator, record keeper, front line manager or legal administrator, is possible.


Administrative assistants may be required to carry out numerous tasks in a small office, or to concentrate on just one or two specific tasks in a larger office.


Administrative assistants usually work indoors, and may work alone or in a team with other administrative assistants, professional and technical staff and tradespeople. Experienced administrative assistants may undertake more complex tasks and responsibilities.


People employed under state or territory clerical employees' awards are classified according to the level of skill and competency that they are required to exercise.


Personal Requirements:


able to work methodically, accurately and neatly
good oral and written communication skills
able to work as part of a team. [/b]


Also check out this link below. It says a thing or two that may be of help to u.
http://jobprofiles.monster.com/Content/job_content/JC_administrative_and_clerical/JSC_administration/JOB_007_administrative_assistant/jobzilla_html

hello.wish u succes, but pls, how/when did u apply?, was it on the internet?

tenhap,

thanks for all the information you made available to me.

I will get back to you if need,

Best Regards

hello,
         first to mekusoil i must say congratulations and that i wish you the best. i will be putting you in my prayers.
then to both of u that is tenhap and u mek, i would really like to know how to get a job in any of the UN organizations. I've already become a member of the galaxy recruitment. but most of the jobs i see there I'm not qualified for.
         it has been a life long dream of mine to work for the UN. i studied education/chemistry in the university of portharcourt and i just graduated with a 2.2 in 2005. I'm hoping to get into UNESCO. Right now I've not served but I've been working in a company as an accounts officer since October last year. i carry out some of the activities tenhap mentioned like assist in the payment of salaries, suprevision of filing, preparation of receipts, sales orders, invoices, purchase orders, good receipt notes and also go to the bank at times i also help my boss keep track of his appointments and i deal with customers. oh i am also computer literate and in my office we use the oracle (orion) accounting package. i also process the activities at the end of the day.
          can any of you guys help me? pls i would be really grateful.
              thanks a lot I'll be waiting for your replies.

Hi Jiro,
In answer to your question, working in the UN is all about what openings are available and how qualified u are to fill any of those positions.
Often times, job adverts are published in the dailies but in some cases, they are not. Yet in other cases, adverts get to already working staff as Internal Vacancies and after some time they
are made external.
Within the limits, it may not be possible to have someone influence ur recruitment. What i mean is that to the best of my knowledge, recruitment is free and fair. U need some previous
job experience to be shortlisted for tests/interviews. What would most likely get u to be shortlisted would be how u sell urself in ur CV i think. U get to see banners like "Only candidates
under serious consideration would be invited for tests/interviews" at the bottom of most adverts. This gets the message across that u need to take time to sell urself in ur application and CV.
Job openings come up from time to time and it may take u checking out the dailies and also having someone on the inside inform u of such vacancies.
All sorts of people are recruited depending on the need (Doctors, Pharmacists, Microbiologists, IT, Nurses, Accountants, just name it. Even HND and OND holders). It all depends on the need.
I for one i work as an IT personnel.
If u are a degree/HND holder, u need ur NYSC cert. If u r an OND holder, u may be recruited as an Office assistant or Admin clerk (pay is still very reasonable).
I do not know if i have answered ur questions?

Goodluck!

hi tenhap
thanks a lot. i'm really new at this cv thing cos i just graduated and never really neede one. can u pls enlighten me on how to sell myself or resent my cv. further more as an insider yourselve, i would really appreciate it if you could keep me posted on job openings. can i pls have your e-mail add so that i can send you a copy of my cv?
about the service thing i intend going this year. but i'll like to be prepared incase of any openings immediately i'm through with service. i would just like to have an edge over other ppl. thanks alot.

Hi Jiro,
the best way to sell urself via ur CV is to ensure u take ur time to compose it.
Highlight ur skill set and make urself the best candidate possible for the job.
my email address: tech2kplus@yahoo.com

@mekusoil

Wish u success in your test, and pls do write to tell us how it went.

@tenhap
Thanks for your help.
Reading your post kind of gives me an encouragement that there is still some nice people out there ready to help those in need.

jiro,
u r welcome

Sorry, thot the last post was still from Jiro.
I meant to say thanks to Anabib, for the compliment.

I thank you all for your prayers.
Tenhap, thanks for your assistance. The test is tomorrow, I want you guys to pray for me individually. I shall be back on the forum to report on how it went.

I remain grateful

Hello Tenhap,

I wish to inform you that I attended the interview as scheduled last friday, 7th July. We were four in number.

It was really a technical test. Four questions in all, I was asked to prepare buget for my unit, Prepare a fault report form etc. This clearly showed that Gmat is not necessary for any UN test. Its just technical.

I did three out of the four questions. I will like to hget your comments

Thanks and God bless.

Hi mekusoil,
Good to know the Technical Test went well.
I pray u get the job. I bet u will enjoy it.
All that's left is to wait. Since u were not also interviewed on the same day, it is likely u may be called for an interview
if u do well in the test.

Goodluck!

Thanks for the mail,

I appreciate all your concern.

has any one been invited to write written assignment by unicef new york? please share ur experience

Good morning everyone, I need help as per how to prepare for UNICEF's General aptitude Test. My invite said General. Not Technical. Do I use GMAT or what do I expect.
Please help. Thanks

All those that have written the test.. Technical or general tests..
How did it go?
Where u called back for interview?
Are you working there now?

So no one?