Shipping Assistant

About the role

The Economic Commission for Africa is seeking a Shipping Assistant on a 9‑month consultancy basis to support its Shipping Unit in Addis Ababa. The role focuses on ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant handling of duty‑free inbound and outbound shipments for official goods, staff personal effects, and vehicles.

Key responsibilities

• Process all inbound shipments of official goods, staff personal effects (PE/HHG) and vehicles.
• Process all outbound shipments of official goods, staff personal effects and vehicles.
• Handle inbound and outbound shipments for UN agencies and secretariats with MoU agreements.
• Maintain duty‑free privileges in line with host‑country agreements and staff regulations.
• Clear and deliver conference and press equipment for UNECA meetings.
• Advise staff on duty‑free importation queries for personal effects and vehicles.
• Arrange required note‑verbals and letters for regulatory bodies.
• Organise and file all shipment documentation for official and staff shipments.
• Draft correspondence related to shipping activities.
• Resolve discrepancies between purchase orders and received goods, including preparing Return to Vendor forms.
• Submit pre‑import permits and follow up with government authorities for regulated cargo.
• Review forwarder invoices, storage and demurrage charges, and secure credit notes when necessary.
• Participate in meetings with regulatory representatives concerning import and export procedures.

Required profile

• Experience handling duty‑free inbound and outbound shipments for UN agencies, staff personal effects, and vehicles.
• Familiarity with host‑country agreements, UN staff regulations, and customs procedures.
• Ability to prepare and manage shipping documentation, permits, and correspondence.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Effective communication skills for advising international and local staff.

Required skills

• Data entry