General Foreperson (Maintenance and Alteration Unit)

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Maintenance and Alteration Unit (MAU), Plant Engineering Section (PES), Facilities and Commercial Activities (FCAS), Division of Administration (DOA), Department of Operational Support (DOS). The incumbent reports to the Chief of the Plant Engineering Section. The incumbent provides direction and supervision of the Maintenance and Alteration Unit's staff and associated contractors and plans and manages the operations.

The Department of Operational Support was established to provide operational advisory services to operating entities across the Secretariat, including other departments, offices away from headquarters, field missions, and regional commissions. The Facilities and Commercial Activities Service (FCAS) operates the Headquarters complex, striving to provide effective and efficient planning, management, maintenance and operation for all existing physical facilities and assets at the UN Headquarters, New York. FCAS also supports office and conference facilities, property management, travel and transportation services, archives and records management, mail and pouch operations, catering, giftshop and the United Nations Postal Administration.

Responsibilities

Within the delegated authority, the General Foreperson will be responsible for the following:

• Plan, organize and execute all work assignments of the General Maintenance, Carpet and Upholstery and Carpentry Shops.

• Delegate work to unit and to staff in accordance with the technical skills and particular area of specialization.

• Provide leadership and general supervision of MAU, reviewing executed works, writing performance reports for contractors and staff, planning, scheduling, and monitoring of training of staff to improve skills and standards of services delivery.

• Interpret plans, schematics, and blueprints for all related operations, maintenance, or project work under the unit, which may require coordination with the Foreperson of the concerned Shop.

• Review and evaluate requisitions raised for the requirements of the MAU, such as for services, supplies, tools, and equipment under the various Shops.

• Communicate with Shop personnel, offices outside the building and contractors;

• Work with the Planning, Design and Construction Section in coordination with work priorities for the UNHQ physical plant and rental facilities.

• Plan and coordinate with other units, sections, or services to minimize impact on the building systems and disruption of services in the complex.

• Prepare official correspondence such as e-mails, letters, memos, and reports on activities under the Unit.

• Keep up to date records for all assets, supplies, equipment, and services under the Unit.

• Supervise, coordinate and report on the works of outside contractors; checking and inspecting completed works and correctness of invoices for payment processing.

• Serve as Section focal point for shop safety and for safety and skills building training.

• May perform other duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Demonstrates professional competencies in the fields under the unit, such as general maintenance, carpet and upholstery and carpentry operations; thorough knowledge in project and contract management, including the preparation of scopes of work, specifications, bills of quantity, performance indicators, and technical evaluation criteria of bids. Ability to read blueprints and rough drawings, knowledge of the UN complex, off-site leased premises, and swing buildings. Ability to supervise staff and strong leadership skills, showing persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; and strong report writing skills. Shows pride in work and in achievements. 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. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

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.

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

High School or equivalent Trade School Diploma is required.

Job - Specific Qualification

A certificate in OSHA 30-hour Construction is desirable.

Other advanced certifications in safety or safety management are desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of twelve (12) years of related experience in general maintenance, painting, carpentry, masonry, upholstery, and/or carpet installation is required.

Experience supervising staff in the fields of building construction, operations, and/or maintenance is required.

Experience in managing third party contractors is desirable.

Experience in construction or alteration project management is desirable.

Experience in managing a workplace training program 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 official United Nations language is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

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.

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

This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.

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.

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.