Chief, Administration Service

Contract

This is a P-5 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 10 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 156,547 USD and 196,189 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

Org. Setting and Reporting The objective of this Convention is to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought in countries experiencing serious drought and/or desertification, particularly in Africa, through effective action at all levels, supported by international cooperation and partnership arrangements, in the framework of an integrated approach which is consistent with Agenda 21, with a view to contributing to the achievement of sustainable development in affected areas. The functions of the secretariat are, among others, to make arrangements for sessions of the Conference of the Parties (COP) and its subsidiary bodies. In addition the secretariat also provides assistance to Parties in implementing the Convention.

The Administrative Services (AS) Unit provides the following services to the secretariat: - Budget preparation, control and reporting - Financial services - Administration and procurement services - Human resources management and development - Travel Services - Information and Technology Services

Responsibilities Under the overall supervision of the Executive Secretary, in consultation with the Deputy Executive Secretary, and within the administrative authority delegated to the Executive Secretary, the incumbent is responsible for the administration of the Secretariat and the financial/logistical aspects of intergovernmental meetings. The incumbent is responsible for the budgeting, financial management, recruitment and staff administration, procurement and contracting, office maintenance and other general services. The incumbent is also responsible for developing accounting, financial and administrative policies and procedures.

The Chief, Administration Service Unit duties and responsibilities will include:

• Advises the Executive Secretary and other senior staff and takes action on all financial, human resources, information and technology (IT) and administrative issues, including the implementation of the delegation of authority on financial and personnel matters and the undertaking of additional administrative responsibilities from the United Nations (UN).
• Prepares UNCCD budget proposals, for review by the COP. Makes budget presentations and participates in discussions with Governments. Monitors and reports on the implementation of the budget and advises the Executive Secretary on redeployment of funds within his authority. Liaises with Parties to the Convention on issues related contributions. Provides cost estimates for activities financed from the Supplementary Fund. Oversees processes relating to receipt and recording of contributions and pledges and prepares related note verbale to Parties. Acts as member of the UNCCD secretariat’s Grants Committee.
• Forecasts UNCCD income and expenditure, including from earmarked contributions, and administers financial resources and ensure payments in accordance with UN financial regulations and rules. Acts as certifying officer of all UNCCD accounts, including the local imprest account. Maintains current and up-to-date internal accounts with regular reporting to managers and oversees the preparation of allotments. Exercises control over the staffing table.
• Plans requirements and ensure support services in accordance with UN financial regulations and rules and within the delegation of authority, including administrative support for the organization of sessions of COP and its subsidiary bodies, procurement of goods and contracting of services, travel of staff, maintenance of office space and provision of office services; exercises control over nonexpendable property, supplies and materials.
• Provides advice and recommendations to the Executive Secretary and senior staff, on procurement policies and procedures. Ensures that all outputs produced by the Section under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates.
• Assists the Executive Secretary in developing and implementing staffing plans and advising on staff appointments and promotions by overseeing all recruitments through Inspira. Oversees the recruitment and administration of staff, consultants, contractors, experts and short-term conference staff in accordance with UN staff regulations and rules and procedures. Services and acts as an ex officio member of the Central Review Body and oversees the implementation of staff performance process in Inspira. Assists in the development and implementation of staff training programmes. Represents management in joint staff management bodies and working groups and liaises with the Staff Association, as required.
• Liaises and coordinates with the UN Office in Geneva, UN Headquarters and other offices on personnel, financial and accounting, and other administrative matters. Services as focal point for issues related to the implementation of the enterprise resource planning system Umoja and assigns roles to UNCCD staff in order to maintain proper internal controls and smooth functioning of the system. Coordinates replies to queries and observations on administrative matters from UN internal and external auditors as well as other sources. Participates in negotiations on, implementation of, and agreements on collaboration with the other UN organizations. Represents UNCCD in the UN Bonn Common Services Committee. Serves as a member of the Joint Local Committees on Contracts and Property Survey Board.
• Liaises with the host country authorities on administrative matters related to the implementation of the UNCCD Headquarters Agreement, including issuance of identity papers, visas, and other official documents and the application of the UN Convention on Privileges and Immunities. Represents UNCCD in all commercial transactions, particularly with local vendors, including review of documents in the German language.
• Supervises IT services, including policies, planning, procurement and day-to-day provision of IT services.
• Supervises and provides guidance to Professional and General Services staff of AS.

• Performs any other job-related activities as required to achieve the goals and objectives of the UNCCD

  Competencies PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of administrative, budgetary, financial and human resources policies and procedures. Ability to apply various United Nations administrative rules and regulations in work situations. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis. Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

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.

LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

Education An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in business or public administration, finance, accounting, human resources management, law, international relations or related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in administration, budget, finance, human resources management or related field with five years of UN experience is required.

Experience supporting complex, organization-wide activities related to personnel management and budget planning in the United Nations common system or a comparable international organization is required.

Experience working with Enterprise Resource Planning systems such as Umoja, SAP or similar is required.

Experience working with recruitment tool such as Inspira is desirable.

Experience with accrual accounting, Results-Based Management, and exposure to International Public Sector Accounting Standards is an asset

Languages For the position advertised, fluency in English language is required. Knowledge of another UN language is an advantage.

Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice Appointment against this position is for a period of one year and may be subject to extension.

Individual Contractors and Consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for or be appointed to any professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions, within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. For such positions, at least six months need to have elapsed between the end of a consultancy or individual contract and the time of application and consideration for an appointment as a staff member under the Staff Rules and Regulations of the United Nations.

United Nations Considerations According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.