Org. Setting and Reporting

This post is located in the General Administrative Services Section, Programme Support and Management Services in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the incumbent reports to the Chief of the Programme Support and Management Services.

Responsibilities

Under the general direction of the Chief of Programme Support and Management Services, the Chief of the General Administrative Services Section is responsible for the overall operational planning, development, management, coordination and delivery of the activities of the General Administrative Services Section (i.e. logistics and procurement, inventory and property management, buildings management, travel, mail and registry operations) in support of the work of OHCHR, both in Geneva and in its field offices. The Chief will lead and manage the Section. In particular, the Chief will: – coordinate, facilitate and monitor the planning and implementation of activities of the various sub-units; – assign responsibilities and set performance objectives for staff of the Section; – contribute to the preparation of budget submissions and cost plans for the Office, as well as for special projects in Geneva and in the field as required; – contribute to the preparation of terms of reference and programme budget implications for special missions or other activities mandated by the Human Rights Council; – organize and monitor the use of resources within the Office; – review and certify expenditure requests, monitoring expenditure against budget allocations. The Chief will ensure the provision of logistics and procurement, travel and mail services. In particular, the Chief will: – oversee and monitor logistics, procurement and contracting activities, ensuring that OHCHR Headquarters and field offices are provided with transport and communication equipment, office supplies, etc., ensuring that the best interests of OHCHR are protected on procurement matters, ensure that levels of delegated authority are adhered to at all times and that procurement thresholds are respected; – review and clear presentations to the Geneva Committee on Contracts and to the Geneva Property Survey Board, in liaison with the United Nations Office at Geneva and Headquarters Procurement as needed; -advise field staff on local procurement and property survey issues; – oversee and monitor travel related activities including the issuance and certification of travel authorizations, ensuring that the best interests of OHCHR are protected, that tickets are issued in line with established rules and procedures; monitors travel agency performance in accordance with predetermined performance thresholds, ensuring thereby that best value criterion be retained; – oversee the operation of mail and registry services, thereby ensuring accurate registration of documents and appropriate, efficient distribution; – represent Programme Support and Management Services on the OHCHR Archives Committee and ensure appropriate treatment of the records of the Office, liaising as appropriate with the Archives and Records Management Sections of the United Nations Office at Geneva and Headquarters. The Chief will also provide support and guidance. In particular, the Chief will: – provide authoritative advice and guidance to Senior Management throughout OHCHR on all issues relating to General Services and support to field offices; – maintain close contact with Division Directors/Branch Chiefs on General Services support issues, policies and directives with a view to promoting understanding and harmonizing the work of the unit with programmes of work of the Divisions/Branches, and to ascertain or resolve support requirements and problems; – undertake substantive review of logistical and operational issues in connection with the continuing growth of the office in Geneva and in the field; – research the subject matter, canvas Division Directors/Branch Chiefs and prepare recommendations, proposals or courses of action for Senior Management review, taking or ensuring appropriate follow-up action as required; – review and prepare responses to audit observations related to the work of the Section; – review policies and practices, and initiate adaptations as appropriate, as well as recommend for approval and implementation proposals for more effective procedures and optimal utilization of resources in support of the goals of OHCHR; – represent OHCHR at the inter-agency and other meetings dealing with United Nations common system General Services questions and in discussions/negotiations with other bodies on related matters; – participate as member or ex-officio member of the local committees, as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Demonstrated technical knowledge of all aspects of administrative general services, i.e. logistics, procurement, inventory, property management, buildings management, travel, mail and registry operations); including overseeing the logistic aspects of complex field operations. 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. 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 audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. 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. 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 administration, logistics management or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in the provision of complex support services in multicultural institutions is required. Experience in programme or project planning, analysis, and budgeting is required. Experience in conducting negotiations is required. Experience with procurement and contracting practices, policies and procedures is desirable. Experience interpreting and implementing policies, procedures and operations of the United Nations or similar organizations is desirable. Field experience is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are un-represented or under-represented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 Jan 2024, are strongly encouraged to apply: Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, China, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Germany, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Libya, Liechtenstein, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu. 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. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position. Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfill move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover note.

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.