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United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

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Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, is the agency for human settlements. It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socialy and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all.

The position leads the Service that is responsible to coordinate and provide administrative support for the implementation of UN-Habitat’s work programme, either directly or through the engagement of third- party service providers.

The Service provides input and support to organizational development and management initiatives including simplification and design of systems and processes; information and knowledge management of UN-Habitat’s policies and procedures; management performance and accountability tools; and HQ/Field structural and staffing reviews.

The Service consists of Units that are responsible for the provisions of Budget and Financial resources management, Human resources management and the provision of general support services such as Information Technology services and procurement coordination.

The position reports directly to the Deputy Executive Director

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Chief of Service will be responsible for the following

•Formulates and implements the substantive work programme of the Service. Oversees the management of activities undertaken by the Service, ensures that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion and co-ordinates work in the different areas both within the Service , within UN-Habitat in Nairobi and at offices away from Nairobi, with the United Nations Office Nairobi (UNON) as well as with third party service providers.

•Leads, supervises and carries out the work programme of the Service. Co-ordinates the work carried out by different work units of the Service and provides substantive reviews of the drafts prepared by others.

•Liaises with and negotiates agreements for the provisions of administrative support services to UN-Habitat by third party providers such as the United Nations Office Nairobi and others

•Co-ordinates and oversees the preparation of reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budget Questions, Committee for Programme Coordination, Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly and other policy-making organs, as appropriate.

•Reports to the Executive Board of UN-Habitat on budget performance, as appropriate, particularly those presented in annual reports.
•Ensures that the outputs produced by the Service maintain high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. Ensures that all outputs produced by the Sections under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates.

•Assists the Senior Managers in preparing the work programme of the UN-Habitat jointly determining priorities and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery.

•Undertakes or oversees the administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of UN-Habitat, including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, evaluation of staff performance (PAS), interviews of candidates for job openings, evaluation of candidates and preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting.

•Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision.

•Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Service and across organizational boundaries with a specific focus on relations with the UNON and third-party service providers

•Leads and supervises the organization of meetings, seminars, etc. on programme support -related issues. Manages the substantive preparation and organization of such meetings or seminars.

•Participates in international, regional or national meetings and provides substantive expertise on an issue or holds substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions.
•Represents the Service at international, regional or national meetings.

Work implies frequent interaction with the following:

The Executive Director, the Deputy Executive Director and the Chief of Staff

Managers and staff within the Service and within UN-Habitat, UNON,

Senior Staff within the UN Secretariat and other UN offices, funds, programmes and specialized agencies.

UN-Habitat Executive Board

Representatives of Governments and representatives of non-governmental organizations.
Chairs and members of intergovernmental bodies.

Results expected: Produces high-quality outputs on key issues. Effectively and efficiently manages available human and financial resources to ensure the timely delivery of programmed outputs. Provides solid substantive support in the servicing of various committees and intergovernmental bodies; reports for these bodies are clear and focused on the issue at hand and the meetings or seminars are well-organized meetings or seminars and address the topics covered in a comprehensive manner. Effectively develops staff under his/her supervision, including their on-going learning and development. Effectively assists, guides and supports programme managers in meeting their objectives and outputs.

Competencies

•Professionalism: Knowledge of administrative support work in the UN system in general and of specific experience in either financial or human resources management. Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies 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. 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.
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•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.

•Vision: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business or public administration, finance, accounting, law, social sciences or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in human resources management, administration, logistics, financial management, budget or related field.

Languages

Fluency in one of the working languages of the UN Secretariat, English or French, (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

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 364 days. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.

• 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.

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.

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.

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