This position is located in the Country Office in Colombia (COCOL), Division for Operations (DO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Bogotá, Colombia. The Travel Assistant will work under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Assistant Administrative Officer. **Responsibilities**: The focus of this position is to provide travel related services ensuring high quality and accuracy work. The Travel Assistant implements the rules and guidelines regarding travel and entitlements and provides solutions to issues related to travel. The incumbent promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UN/UNODC rules and regulations. Within assigned authority, the Travel Assistant will be responsible for the following specific duties: - Provide information and guidance to the administrative office, staff and consultants about frequency of air services on the most direct, efficient, economical/cost-effective routings (including more complex itineraries) and airfare rates, as permitted by the rules and regulations. Assist in making travel plans in order to take advantage of the benefits to be derived from advance purchases or special promotional fares. - Provide information on rates and travel schedules for specific itineraries, as requested for budgeting purposes for programme managers. - Contact travel agency and airlines to make reservations, negotiate least expensive fares e.g. discuss with management of travel agency and with senior airline sales management for space on flights, reduced airfares, group discounts and reduced excess baggage charges, initiate issuance of tickets; discuss discrepancies and problems. - Calculate the residual values of partially used tickets when there is rerouting. - Arrange for changes or cancellations requested by travellers and arrange tickets to be reissued, including obtaining reimbursement, where applicable. - Examine and pre-audit the official itineraries of staff members and other travellers, as stated in the travel of the mission personnel and ensure conformity with established rules, regulations, and relevant directives. - Review travel claims and supporting documentation for completeness, accuracy and validity, prior to forwarding to the Accounts Division; ensure that entitlements are in conformity with Staff Rules. Refer discrepancies back to Administrative and/or Certifying Officers for clarification and possible correction. - Advise Administrative Office of more efficient and cost-effective routings with regards to more complicated staff itineraries and assist in making travel plans in order to take advantage of the benefits to be derived from advance purchases or special promotional fares. - Maintain records of all travel authorizations processed and record savings accrued to the organization as a result of the cost savings techniques employed. - Provide procurement, logístical and administrative support, if required. - Perform other work-related duties, as required. Competencies Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. Education High school diploma or equivalent is required. Specialized training in travel and/or procurement is desirable. Job - Specific Qualification Having passed the Administrative Support Assessment Test [in English] at the United Nations headquarters, Economic Commission for Africa, Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, United Nations Office at Geneva, United Nations Office at Vienna, International criminal tribunal for Rwanda or International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia may be accepted in lieu of the GGST. Work Experience A minimum of five (5) years relevant administrative experience in the areas of travel, administration, or procurement is required. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) is required. Working experience with an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is required. Working experience with SAP/Umoja is desirable. Languages English and French are the working languages of the