Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Languages
Timeline
References
Hobbies and Interests
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Caroline Besson

Veyrier

Summary

Dynamic professional assistant with a proven track record in managing executive schedules, coordinating high-stakes meetings, and safeguarding confidential information. Strong commitment to team collaboration and a consistent drive for results through adaptability to evolving needs. Recognized for exceptional organizational skills, proactive problem-solving abilities, and effective communication, ensuring seamless operations in fast-paced environments. Bilingual in English and French, enhancing communication across diverse teams and stakeholders.

Overview

38
38
years of professional experience

Work History

Personal Assistant

Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office
12.2016 - 06.2025
  • Working in English and French. Looking after 2 diplomats' professional diary and personal.
  • Help to relocate from HK to Geneva. Contact with the local companies. Process application for Legitimation card with the Swiss Mission.
  • Performs all standard office administrative practices and procedures.
  • Maintained appropriate filing of personal and professional documentation.
  • Oversaw personal and professional calendars and coordinated appointments for future events.
  • Responded to emails and other correspondence to facilitate communication and enhance business processes.
  • Improved time management of the executive through effective prioritization and organization of tasks.
  • Maintained confidentiality and discretion while handling sensitive information relevant to company operations.
  • Displayed absolute discretion at handling confidential information.
  • Aided executive in personal tasks such as scheduling appointments or running errands when needed.
  • Served as first point of contact for incoming visitors or phone calls, ensuring prompt responses or directing inquiries appropriately.
  • Coordinated events and functions with attention to detail ensuring successful execution.
  • Accomplished project deadlines by assisting with task completion whenever required.
  • Assisted in the preparation of presentations and reports, contributing to well-informed decision making.
  • Kept detailed track of household and maintenance inventory and schedules.
  • Contributed to a positive work environment through professional demeanor and strong interpersonal skills.
  • Supported executive in achieving goals by proactively anticipating needs and addressing concerns promptly.
  • Provided research assistance on various projects, leading to informed decisions based on accurate information.
  • Managed travel arrangements including flights, accommodations, and itineraries for smooth business trips.
  • Facilitated project completion, coordinated with cross-functional teams to meet deadlines.
  • Facilitated smoother daily operations by promptly addressing and resolving administrative issues.
  • Streamlined office operations, implemented digital filing systems to reduce paper use and improve accessibility.
  • Participated in team meetings and staff training sessions.
  • Identified needs and coordinated plans for travel and out-of-town functions.
  • Facilitated transportation to and from appointments.
  • Coordinated appointments with medical professionals.

Staff Assistant

United Nations Office at Geneva
10.2016 - 10.2016
  • As a Staff Assistant, I helped the team with secretarial and assistance from New York HQ of the UN to run a Conference that was held in Geneva.

Staff Assistant

United Nations Office at Geneva
06.2016 - 06.2016
  • I worked as a secretary servicing the United Nations International Conference in Support of Israeli-Palestinian Peace held at the United Nations Office at Geneva.
  • I carried out various assignments, including liaison with diplomatic Missions, civil society organizations and the media, providing information about the Conference and answering queries.
  • I worked with minimal supervision and put in extra effort and time to fulfill the tasks assigned thus contributing to a smooth and successful conduct of the Conference.
  • I worked in English and French.

Classroom Assistant

Ecole Internationale de Genève
02.2016 - 05.2016
  • I worked in an anglophone class under the supervision of Ms Jennifer Pasternak with children aged between 4 and 5 years old.
  • My duties included welcoming the children, assisting the welcome and making sure the children were all noted and listed. I helped carry out creative activities, accompanying the children from their classroom to the other activities. I did supervision at playtime, I made sure the children were met by their parents/carers.
  • I cleaned the classroom and prepared any activities using paper, and other materials.
  • I helped in assisting the children to perform an Easter production. I worked mainly in French and used some English.

Traduction de texte

Independent
09.2014 - 05.2015
  • Translating text from French into English, interpreting for a local kindergarten, helping a local musician translate from French into English. Coaching a primary-aged student in English.

Secretary (50%)

WTO
01.2004 - 09.2008
  • I assisted the STDF Secretary-Agriculture and Commodities Division (Standards and) Trade Development Facility -STDF) in producing documents relative to the STDF and sometimes SPS; formatting, revising, printing. I helped prepare the STDF pre-day events conferences linked to the Aid for Trade workshops organized in Peru, Manila and Dar-es-Salaam, September 2007. I created the STDF database using Excel, I worked with Word, Excel, Outlook and Internet. I worked in English and French
  • Created a comprehensive filing system. General office and administrative duties. I organised the annual meetings with all the donor countries, 4/year.
  • I worked in English and French, performed all administrative duties.

English Teacher

Independent
10.2005 - 08.2008
  • I taught privately to primary students, adolescents and adults in Veyrier (ALPE). I taught 8 hours in a private school in Geneva (ILL) to children aged 3-6 years and do primary and secondary replacements. I prepared two classes for the YLE, University of Cambridge with all successful results.

I assisted the Senior Career Planning Officer

UNHCR
10.2004 - 09.2005
  • I assisted the Senior Career Planning Officer in looking after Career Planning for the personnel, setting up workshops, planning meetings with several authorities, taking minutes of meetings, working in English and French. I was also responsible for creating a list on Excel for staff who are sent on mission; identifying staff member s skills, contacting them by telephone, fax, email & Internet from all over the world, speaking in English and French, drafting reports, submitting each month statistics of how many staff are sent on mission and where, for how long the duration.
  • Human Resources Clerk - UNHCR, Geneva cont../. long etc. Using the organisation s database to create reports, prepare three to four times a year, APPB meeting, creating a report, downloading fact sheets, downloading application reports, checking that information is correct using email, telephone, fax, Internet. I work in English but communicate in French as well. Created a comprehensive filing system. General office and administrative duties.
  • Secretary - UN Staff Gala Fund, United Nations

Secretary

UNOG
10.2002 - 12.2002
  • I assisted the Co-ordinator for the Staff Gala in the UN. I worked in English and French. I used e-mail, fax, Word and Internet. Liaised with authorities, Swiss and French, entering all correspondence between the UN and the performing artists (Dee Dee Bridgewater etc.) Liaised with agents, customs officers. I met the artists, prepared their contracts between the agents and the UN. General office and administrative duties
  • Secretary - World Trade Organization, Geneva

I assisted the Personnel Officer

United Nations
03.2002 - 06.2002
  • I assisted the Personnel Officer in charge of internships for the WTO, working in English and French. I was in charge of preparing the applications from around the world and entering data using Access database, receiving applications, creating a comprehensive filing system, sending out acknowledgements using mail merges, first point of contact in the office
  • General office and administrative duties
  • Personnel Clerk - United Nations, Geneva

I assisted the Secretary of the Appointments and Promotion Committee

UNOG
05.1994 - 03.1997
  • Administration Division, Personnel, working in English and French. Duties included being in charge of preparing the professional posts for submission to Heads of Departments, creating the posts on the computer, sending them to be translated, sending via New York to around world, answering queries, sending out and receiving applications, creating a comprehensive filing system, first point of contact in the office. I created a Professional posts database using Paradox. Used Wordperfect for Windows and Paradox
  • Handled sensitive information discreetly, maintaining confidentiality when managing personnel files or financial data.
  • Answered multi-line phone system and enthusiastically greeted callers.
  • Maintained daily report documents, memos and invoices.
  • Scheduled appointments and conducted follow-up calls to clients.
  • Prepared professional correspondence, including memos, letters, and emails, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
  • Entered data into system and updated customer contacts with information to keep records current.
  • Maintained electronic filing systems and categorized documents.
  • Provided clerical support to company employees by copying, faxing, and filing documents.
  • Managed executive calendars, scheduling appointments and meetings to optimize time management.
  • Contributed to a positive work environment by providing support to colleagues when needed in various tasks or projects.
  • Maintained accurate records of office expenses, assisting in budget preparation and cost control efforts.
  • Promoted a positive image of the organization through clear communication both internally with colleagues and externally with clients.
  • Assisted in event planning and execution for company functions such as conferences, workshops, or social gatherings.
  • Updated spreadsheets and databases to track, analyze, and report on performance and sales data.
  • Managed sensitive and confidential information with discretion, upholding integrity of executive communications.
  • Facilitated inter-departmental communication to ensure all parties were informed of key updates.
  • Supported project management activities, contributing to timely completion of key initiatives.
  • Managed incoming and outgoing correspondence, maintaining confidentiality and timeliness.
  • Provided comprehensive support to new staff, facilitating faster integration into team.
  • Managed phone and email correspondence and handled incoming and outgoing mail and faxes.
  • Managed filing system, entered data and completed other clerical tasks.
  • Completed forms, reports, logs, and records to quickly handle all documentation for human resources.
  • Built and maintained excellent customer relationships through timely response to inquiries and going above and beyond to accommodate unusual requests.
  • Created and maintained detailed administrative processes and procedures to drive efficiency and accuracy.
  • Recorded new hires, transfers, terminations, changes in job classifications and merit increases to main human resources files.

Personnel Assistant

United Nations
12.1993 - 04.1994
  • I assisted the Secretary in running the language courses in the UN, Language Proficiency Exams and general office and administrative duties. Planning the term agenda for over 800 students. Liaised with teachers, entered into a database, information pertaining to each term, liaised with New York

Exhibition Assistant

Telecom
06.1993 - 09.1993
  • I worked for Mrs Lili Rison of Telecom, for the Telecom 95 Exhibition held in Geneva. I created lists on the database, created forecasts, dealt with applications for exhibition space, helped co-ordinate the smooth running of the exhibition.
  • Personnel Assistant - WIPO

Personnel Assistant

Zarak Hay Temping Agency
05.1993 - 06.1993
  • I carried out general office duties in this temporary post
  • I temped for the European Financial Publishing Company, doing general office duties

TEFL Teacher

Independent
10.1992 - 12.1992
  • I gave private English lessons to adults in Geneva

TEFL Teacher

Private School, Poznan, Poland
06.1992 - 09.1992
  • I headed a team of teachers, teaching English to Polish children in Summer camps. I was responsible for 25 children aged from 10 to 21 years old

Secretary to the Ambassador

Diplomatic Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations
12.1991 - 05.1992
  • Responsible for the Ambassador’s personal and professional diary. I typed up reports, organised meetings between other Diplomatic Missions, liaised with the Swiss Authorities. I worked in English and French

Administrative Officer

H.M. Treasure, London, U.K.
09.1987 - 07.1991
  • Administrative Officer - H.M. Treasury, London, England responsibilities were preparing statistical charts, handling large sums of money, dealing with pay salaries for all government departments. I worked in the Employment dept, Agriculture and Pay. I was first point of contact in the division. Prepared Ministerial submissions. I organised meetings, took minutes of meetings, carried out general office duties

Education

CELTA -

Bell Switzerland SA
01.2013

TEFL - undefined

Teaching Training International
01.1991

O levels and CSEs -

Harris Academy
London, UK
01.1985

Skills

  • Proficient in office software
  • Effective verbal communication
  • Detail-oriented approach
  • Effective team collaborator

  • Effective time management
  • Professional demeanor
  • Upholding confidentiality standards
  • Organizing and preparing meetings

Languages

English Oral: Native language Written: Native language Speak and write fluent French. Speak and write Intermediate Italian.
French Oral: Fluent Written: Fluent
Italian Oral: Intermediate Written: Basic knowledge

Timeline

Personal Assistant

Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office
12.2016 - 06.2025

Staff Assistant

United Nations Office at Geneva
10.2016 - 10.2016

Staff Assistant

United Nations Office at Geneva
06.2016 - 06.2016

Classroom Assistant

Ecole Internationale de Genève
02.2016 - 05.2016

Traduction de texte

Independent
09.2014 - 05.2015

English Teacher

Independent
10.2005 - 08.2008

I assisted the Senior Career Planning Officer

UNHCR
10.2004 - 09.2005

Secretary (50%)

WTO
01.2004 - 09.2008

Secretary

UNOG
10.2002 - 12.2002

I assisted the Personnel Officer

United Nations
03.2002 - 06.2002

I assisted the Secretary of the Appointments and Promotion Committee

UNOG
05.1994 - 03.1997

Personnel Assistant

United Nations
12.1993 - 04.1994

Exhibition Assistant

Telecom
06.1993 - 09.1993

Personnel Assistant

Zarak Hay Temping Agency
05.1993 - 06.1993

TEFL Teacher

Independent
10.1992 - 12.1992

TEFL Teacher

Private School, Poznan, Poland
06.1992 - 09.1992

Secretary to the Ambassador

Diplomatic Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations
12.1991 - 05.1992

Administrative Officer

H.M. Treasure, London, U.K.
09.1987 - 07.1991

TEFL - undefined

Teaching Training International

CELTA -

Bell Switzerland SA

O levels and CSEs -

Harris Academy

References

Elio, Tamburi, Director, Division for Palestinian Rights, tamburi@un.org, Department of Political Affairs, United Nations Office, New York

Hobbies and Interests

Hiking, Walking, Swimming, Cycling. Cinema, Music, Theatre, Opera, Gardening.

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I speak fluent English and French, with a basic knowledge of Italian, I am experienced in working in a multi-cultural environment, both professionally and as a volunteer and have an excellent knowledge of the Swiss culture, the Geneva Diplomatic Community and have extensive experience in working for the United Nations Office in Geneva and several UN Organizations.

I enjoy hiking, learning languages, sailing, learning about new technology, gardening, painting. I am able to work autonomously and a part of a team.

Caroline Besson