Chief, Cost-of-Living Division

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the secretariat of the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC). The Cost-of-Living Division is responsible for managing and implementing the post adjustment system which helps to ensure that that no matter where United Nations common system staff work, their take-home pay has a purchasing power equivalent to that at the base of the system (New York). The incumbent reports directly to the Executive Secretary of the ICSC and is also guided by the Chair of the Advisory Committee on Post Adjustment Questions (ACPAQ) and the Chair of the ICSC.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: (a) Manages the Cost-of-Living Division and develops and plans its work programme: • Provides leadership in managing the operation of the post adjustment system. • Monitors the implementation and efficiency of the Division’s work, • Guides and supervises a team of 17 statisticians and statistical assistants by fostering a result-oriented environment. Establishes mechanisms to improve teamwork, enhance productivity, and promote an atmosphere of mutual respect and well-being and supports professional growth and development of staff. (b) Plans and supervises the conduct of cost-of-living surveys and other data collection activities at headquarters and field duty stations, including the processing and analysis of survey data: • Maintains quality control of post adjustment index calculations and the post adjustment classification of duty stations, • Reviews the monthly updating process for cost-of-living indices and the bi-monthly production of retail price indices; • Supervises the preparation, maintenance and dissemination of the cost-of-living reports and post adjustment classifications on the ICSC web site. (c) Plays the lead role in improving the effectiveness and accuracy of cost-of-living measurement approaches and procedures. Introduces and implements enhancements to the cost-of-living measurement methodology. (d) Formulates recommendations on the post adjustment system for the Advisory Committee on Post Adjustment Questions (ACPAQ) and the Commission. Serves as Secretary of ACPAQ. (e) Provides authoritative advice to the Commission and prepares responses to the Fifth Committee of the General Assembly on various issues falling under the Division’s responsibility. (f) Contributes to the development of quantitative models to support policy formulation in various areas falling under the Commission’s responsibility. (g) Consults and liaises with representatives of UN organizations on issues related to the post adjustment system: • Promotes cooperation and better understanding of the post adjustment system and cost-of-living data collection, • Leads training programmes in the operation of the post adjustment system. (h) Responds to queries from UN common system organizations, other international organizations and Member States on cost-of-living measurements and the post adjustment system. (i) Develops close working relationships with other organizations and statistical offices engaged in the field of cost-of-living measurement.

Competencies

Professionalism: Ability to provide technical advice in the development and implementation of programs, methodologies and policies with a view to improving statistical capabilities and standards of broad applicability. Commitment to the achievement of broad organizational goals and effective programme delivery, taking ownership of all responsibilities and demonstrating sound judgment in planning and managing the division’s programme of work. Institutional and cross-organizational relationship skills with the ability to establish effective working relationships, to exhibit sensitivity and respect for diversity and to recognize and resolve potentially adverse conditions. Effective leadership with the ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities and risks, to visualize new and different concepts, to align divergent views and positions and to motivate and build consensus among staff, managers and member states for common 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. Technological awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology. Understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office. Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks. Shows willingness to learn new technology. 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. 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 degree) in statistics, economics or mathematics is required. A first-level university degree in one of the above-mentioned fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience (i.e., in this case, 17 years of relevant experience) may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

A degree with emphasis on methodologies used to establish purchasing power parities, theory of index numbers, survey research, etc. is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience in statistics within a national/regional statistical office or an international organization is required, of which at least 10 years should be in consumer price index or related statistical field dealing with comparisons at the international level. Experience in coordinating complex projects and in managing teams is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required, including excellent drafting skills. Working knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

The appointment against this position is limited to the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC). The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. The United Nations is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. All staff at the D1 Level and above are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon appointment and annually thereafter. 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. 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.