Senior Driver (Almaty, Kazakhstan) contract

Position Number: 4KZADM0702RP

Grade: G-3

Parent Sector: Sector For Administration and Management (ADM)

Duty Station: Almaty

Job Family: Administration

Contract Type: Fixed Term

Duration of contract: 2 years

Recruitment open to: Internal and external candidates

Application deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 02/04/2026

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

Only candidates eligible to work in Kazakhstan may apply to this position

Under the authority of the Director/Head of Office & UNESCO Representative and the direct supervision of the Finance and Administrative Officer (AO), as applicable, the Senior Driver provides reliable and safe driving services ensuring high accuracy of work to the Head/Director of Office and high ranking UN officials and visitors. 

General responsibilities: 

• Drives the Head/Director of Office, UNESCO/UN officials and staff, including senior and high-ranking officials and visitors.
• Ensures provision of reliable and safe driving services. Meets senior staff, officials and visitors at the airport, including assisting, when required, with basic visa and customs formalities. When necessary, translates in local language for the Head/Director of the Office and/or official personnel using the vehicle.
• Coordinates routes and, where applicable, schedules drivers and vehicles for use on a daily basis.  Instruct other drivers as necessary in matters pertaining to traffic and safety regulations, office regulations with respect to vehicles and equipment and safety measures.  May coordinate arrangements for major repairs.  
• Ensures cost-savings through proper upkeep of vehicles and accurate day-to-day maintenance of vehicles and/or coordination of daily vehicle logs; prepares vehicle maintenance logs and reports.  
• Assists on installations and use the HF, VHF radio and satellite phone in the vehicle. 
• Ensures availability of all the required documents/supplies including vehicle insurance, vehicle registration, vehicle logs, office directory, map of the city/country, first aid kit, and necessary spare parts in the assigned vehicle; keeps track of insurance and other tax formalities.
• Ensures timely, accurate and correct reporting of accidents. 

Administrative responsibilities: 

• Delivers and collects mail, documents and other items as required.  
• When not driving, may perform other duties, such as photocopying, binding, assisting with filing etc.

• Communication (C)
• Accountability (C)
• Innovation (C)
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Planning and organizing (C)
• Results focus (C)
• Teamwork (C)

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

EDUCATION

•    Completed secondary, technical or vocational education.
•    Valid category B driving license, held for more than 5 years.

WORK EXPERIENCE

•    A minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

•    Basic technical skills in automotive mechanics.
•    Excellent knowledge of Kazakhstan traffic laws and regulations.
•    Efficiency, tact, discretion, and keen observation skills in carrying out tasks and adhering to instructions.
•    Capacity to interact with internal and external stakeholders with tact and diplomacy.
•    Ability to work effectively in a multicultural team.
•    Availability and flexibility to meet service needs.
•    Attention to any safety issues that could impact vehicle operations.

LANGUAGES

•    Excellent knowledge of Russian language and good knowledge of English language.

WORK EXPERIENCE

•     Experience within the UN system, international organizations or diplomatic missions.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

•    Good knowledge of traffic laws and regulations of other countries in Central Asian region and experience driving in these countries.

LANGUAGES

•    Knowledge of Kazakh or other language spoken in Central Asia.

UNESCO’s salaries consist of a basic salary and other benefits which may include if applicable: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, pension plan etc. 

The approximate annual starting salary for this post is 13,407 USD (Net Pensionable Remuneration).

UNESCO’s salaries are paid in the currency established by the local UN System (currently in Kazakh Tenge at the applicable mid-month UNORE). 

For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information, by the above deadline.

To apply, please visit the UNESCO Careers website. No modifications can be made to the application once submitted. 

The process may include pre-recorded video interviews and/or written assessments, interviews with a Panel, as well as reference checks. In addition, candidates may be requested to provide additional information which may be pertinent to the position’s qualifications.  

Please note that all candidates, whether selected or not, will be informed of the outcome of their application in due course. 

Short-listed candidates may also be added to Talent Pools; subject to their consent (i.e. Data Privacy Statement).

• UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity.
• UNESCO applies to a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment.
• UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply.
• lndividuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.
• All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality.
• Geographical mobility is required for staff members appointed to UNESCO’s international posts.
• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. UNESCO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO. The list can be accessed through the link: https://www.whed.net
• The statutory retirement age at UNESCO is 65 years.
• UNESCO appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by the Organization, is required for International Professional positions.
• UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.