Chief of Section, Commercial Insurance

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 208,877 USD and 261,770 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 Commercial Insurance Section (CIS), Division of Administration (DoA), of the Department of Operational Support (DOS).

The Commercial Insurance Section assist client offices (United Nations, Funds and Programmes) in the review of risks and hazards and obtain risk mitigation solutions through the implementation of eighteen Commercial Insurance Policies. These are: Air Travel, Cargo, Cash in Transit, Charterers’ Liability, Crime, Domestic General Liability, Excess Liability, Fine Arts, Flood, Foreign General Liability, Headquarters Vehicles, Malicious Acts, Master Aviation, Mobile Equipment, Property, Terrorism Unmanned Aerial vehicles and Worldwide Vehicles. The section reviews and processes claims, manages Self Insurance Funds for incidents at the United Nations Headquarters complex in New York, provides Insurance Contract advice to requisitioning offices such as Procurement Division (PD) and Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) and manages the technical aspect of Broker’s Exercise Request For Proposals (RFPs).

The incumbent will report to the Director, Division of Administration.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, The Chief of Commercial Insurance will be responsible for the following duties:

Policy Management: • Provide policy advice to senior managers on conceptual strategy development of risk management options through commercial insurance programs and other risk management solutions including contractual risk transfer. • Evaluate and recommend alternative coverage and process solutions.

Commercial Insurance Section Administration and Programme Supervision: • Planning and overseeing insurance procurement process, reviewing policy specifications, evaluating insurance procurement proposals and selecting insurance providers based on UN financial rules and pertinent industry practices. • Managing the relationship with and monitoring the performance of the UN insurance brokers and other insurance providers. • Monitoring expenditures and ensuring equitable allocation or insurance premiums and other expenditures among client offices. • Ensuring that outputs produced by the Unit maintain high-quality standards; that reports, contracts, position papers and audit responses are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. • Ensuring that all outputs produced by the Unit meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with relevant mandates. • Overseeing the resolution of insurance issues, monitoring financial performance with respect to policies, claims and overall performance in the industry. • Managing, supervising and carrying out the work programme of the Unit; Coordinating the work carried out by the Unit. • Providing programmatic substantive reviews of drafts prepared by others. • Managing, guiding, developing and training staff under his/her supervision. • Planning and discussing with staff individual work programs and evaluating performance. • Plans, coordinates, prepares and submits budget proposals related to Commercial Insurance and present to ACABQ and the Fifth Committee as necessary. • Administers and monitors cost recovery fund and other commercial insurance funds and associated resources for the organization, including review of agreements and cost plans, ensuring compliance with regulations and rules and established policies and procedures. • Manages, provides advice and relevant support to General Insurance budget-Section 32 Special.

Inter-Agency and Intradepartmental Co-ordination: • Coordinating with UN offices, funds and programmes and agencies regarding joint insurance programmes. • Participating in inter-departmental and inter-agency meetings on matters related to risk management and providing substantive expertise on the issue, or holding substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions. • Providing substantive input in the preparation of position papers and reports for presentation to intergovernmental and interagency bodies, and other organs as appropriate. • Providing guidance and advice to UN offices at Headquarters and overseas as well as UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes on risk management and commercial insurance matters including contractual risk transfer.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of insurance fundamentals and risk financing mechanisms, management and administration; knowledge of insurance and procurement contracts, industry practices, as well as current knowledge of insurance market conditions; ability to integrate knowledge with a broader strategic policy and overall operational objectives.

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.

Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently.

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.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent degree) in business administration, finance, accounting, economics, business law, risk management or related fields is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in administration, finance, human resources management, law or related field is required.

Experience in providing risk management solutions for a large organization is required.

Experience in evaluating commercial insurance contracts for a large organization is required.

Experience as a supervisor or managing a team is required.

Experience in the UN common system or comparable international organization is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year.

Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover letter.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Applicants, who successfully go through a competitive recruitment process and are recommended for selection and/or inclusion in the roster of pre-approved candidates for subsequent job openings at the same level and with similar functions, may have their application information and roster status shared with other UN Organizations. Such applicants may be contacted by other UN Organizations for similar job openings, subject to the confirmation of their interest. Placement on the roster is no guarantee of a future selection.

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.

For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 Sept 2023, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu.

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.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions.

Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.