Chief, Central Support Services

Contract

This is a D-1 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 15 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 237,851 USD and 300,143 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 This position is located in the Division of Administration (DOA), United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG). The Principal Administrative Officer of Central Support Services reports to the Director of the DOA.

Responsibilities Under the authority and overall direction of the Director, DOA/UNOG, the Principal Administrative Officer of the Central Support Services (CSS) leads a Service comprising of approximately 190 posts funded from both regular and extra-budgetary resources and is responsible for formulating and implementing the substantive work programme of CSS, budgeted at approximately US$50 million per annum, determining priorities and allocating resources to ensure that its programmed activities are carried out in an effective and timely manner. With the objective of operating economically and maintaining UNOG buildings and technical installations in good condition, according to prevailing standards, the incumbent oversees the planning, organization and supervision of all the activities related to operation, upkeep, repair and renovation of UNOG facilities, and the management of office space. With the objective of enhancing efficiency, competitiveness and value for money, as well as ensuring high quality and timely provision of services, the incumbent also oversees the supply of a broad range of common (general) services, including procurement, contracting, local transportation, freight, travel and visa, traffic services, property management, catering services, mail and diplomatic pouch activities.

In this context, the incumbent is accountable to the Director, DOA/UNOG for performing the following tasks: - Leads, supervises and carries out the work programme of CSS, co-ordinates the work carried out by different work units and provides programmatic/substantive reviews of the drafts prepared by others. - Ensures that the outputs produced by the Service maintain high-quality standards and comply with the relevant mandates and that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. - Undertakes or oversees the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Service, including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, and preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting. - Co-ordinates and oversees the preparation of reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budget Questions, the General Assembly and other policy-making organs, as appropriate. - Serves as change agent and leads business transformation; champions changing servicing demands in an environment of financial austerity. - Leads and supervises the organization and substantive preparation of meetings, seminars, etc. on substantive issues. Represents the Division at international, regional or national meetings and provides programmatic/substantive expertise as required. - Coordinates with the team responsible for the renovation of the Palais des Nations, referred to as Strategic Heritage Plan (SHP) and provides substantive input to the project, as required. - Coordinates and liaises with counterparts at UN Geneva, Headquarters in New York and UN Common system organizations on issues related to service provision with a view to streamlining services, finding efficiencies and best value for money, establishing common KPIs as well as ensuring consistency of policy application. - Recruits staff, taking due account of diversity and inclusion policies, geographical and gender balance. - Manages, guides, evaluates performance, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision. - Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Service and across organizational boundaries. - Performs other tasks as requested.

Competencies Professionalism (without gender indicator) : Sound knowledge of planning, coordination and delivery of client services in an international and multicultural context. Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. In-depth knowledge of and ability to apply relevant UN administrative rules, regulations, policies, procedures and guidelines in work situations. 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.

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 improvement; 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.

Managing performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority. Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member. Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills. Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines. Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff. Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative. Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff. Appraises performance fairly.

Judgement/decision making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly. Gathers relevant information before making a decision. Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them. Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization. Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information. Checks assumptions against facts. Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision. Makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in business or public administration, engineering, procurement, management, law or related area. A first level university degree in one of the above-mentioned fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in at least three of the following areas is required: procurement, facilities management, property management, engineering, transportation, logistics, budget, programme or project management.

Out of these, at least three years of significant managerial responsibility in a client support environment is required.

Experience in managing large teams (at least 30 staff) is required.

A minimum of two years of experience at the international level is desirable, preferably within the United Nations System or another comparable large public sector entity.

A broad exposure to and wide range of experiences in procurement or facilities management is desirable.

Experience working with an advanced ERP system, preferably SAP, and with IPSAS is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English or French and knowledge of the other is required.

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

Special Notice This position is temporarily available for three months with possibility of extension.

While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.

Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.

This temporary job opening may be limited to "internal candidates," who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.

Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

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.