Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Sourcing Support Service (SSS) of the Logistics Division (LD), in the Office of Supply Chain Management (OSCM), of the Department of Operational Support (DOS). The Department of Operational Support was established to provide end-to-end operational support, advisory services, and other solutions to operating entities across the Secretariat, including other departments, Offices Away from Headquarters, field missions, and regional commissions. The Office of Supply Chain Management includes the Office of the Assistant Secretary-General for Supply Chain Management, the Logistics Division, the Procurement Division (PD), the Uniformed Capabilities Support Division, and the Enabling and Outreach Service. The Logistics Division performs a pivotal role in the implementation of end-to-end supply chain management across the United Nations (UN) operations. The Division provides direction and advice on logistical matters and in the areas of air transport, surface transport, engineering, medical and supply, inclusive of fuel, rations and general supplies, security equipment and vehicles. The Division plans, directs, monitors, and assesses the delivery of related services and specialist support. The Sourcing Support Service is responsible for the development of the category strategies of categories under its purview (engineering, security, ground transportation, fuel, rations, and medical support) and for ensuring that DOS client entities’ may source the full spectrum of products and services in these categories. The relevant sourcing support activities in the category management process include identification of fit-for-purpose sourcing solutions to satisfy clients’ needs, development of strategies to source such solutions, development of technical specifications in alignment with the Organization’s sustainable development goals, conducting technical evaluations, establishing and managing contracts, supplier management, with greater attention paid to risk analysis and mitigation, performance management and accountability. The SSS coordinates closely with the PD to establish contracts, leverage the latest technologies, and adopt innovative approaches to provide effective and efficient support to DOS clients. The incumbent reports to the Director of the Logistics Division.
Responsibilities
Formulates and implements the substantive work programme of the Sourcing Support Service under his/her supervision. 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 Division and Department, and with other organizations of the United Nations System, as appropriate. The Chief of SSS will be responsible for the following duties: Management: • Leads, supervises, and carries out the work programme of the Service under his/her responsibility. Co-ordinates the work carried out by different work units under the Service and by other agencies and bodies of the United Nations system; provides programmatic/substantive reviews of the drafts prepared by others. • Co-ordinates and oversees the development and implementation of policies, guidelines and procedures including governance and oversight relating to engineering, supply and transport, and medical goods and services; oversees 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. • Develops and implements sourcing support strategies, within a category management approach, by leveraging the latest technologies, adopting innovative approaches, analyzing category spend, assessing market availability, and calculating risk profile of products and services. Advisory: • Participates/leads in Headquarters-led working groups, reviews, and assessments as nominated by Management. • Reports to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance or on programmatic/substantive issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports; responds to queries from legislative and oversight bodies. • 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 Director in preparing the work programme of the Division, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery. • Undertakes or oversees the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Service 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. • Recruits staff, taking due account of geographical and gender balance. • Manages, guides, develops, and trains staff under his/her supervision. • Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Service and across organizational boundaries. • Leads and contributes to meetings, seminars, etc. on substantive issues. Manages the substantive preparation and organization of such meetings or seminars. • Participates in international, regional, or national meetings and provides programmatic/substantive expertise on issues or holds programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions.
Competencies
• Professionalism: Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of principles, techniques and practices related to a category management approach for effective and specialized advice in a broad range of logistical, procurement and administrative areas; proven ability to improve processes and approaches; proven competence, integrity and reliability in managerial performance and in maintaining positive working relationships in a highly demanding environment; proven ability to drive for change and improvement in the area of logistics support and service delivery to client entities; ability to ensure adequate report preparation or rationale with respect to key logistics and administrative decisions. 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 & 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 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. • Empowering Others: Delegates responsibility, clarifies expectations, and gives staff autonomy in important areas of their work; encourages others to set challenging goals; holds others accountable for achieving results related to their area of responsibility; genuinely values all staff members’ input and expertise; shows appreciation and rewards achievement and effort; involves others when making decisions that affect them.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in business or public administration, logistics, supply chain management or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional qualifying years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Job – Specific Qualification
Not available.
Work Experience
• A minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in administration, logistics, procurement, supply chain management or related field is required. • A minimum of five (5) years of experience and demonstrated performance in managing cross-functional supply chain management teams is required. • Experience in collaborating across multiple groups efforts to achieve organisational-wide strategic objective and priorities is required. • Experience in developing client-centric solutions in alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals is desirable. • Experience leading business transformation projects, and/or multiple key tactical and strategic initiatives in parallel, is desirable. • Experience in successfully addressing global supply chain disruptions 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
• 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. • Staff members appointed to the current position are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon assignment or appointment and annually thereafter. • 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. • Applicants from troop- and police-contributing countries who are found most suitable and recommended for selection will be given due consideration for positions in a peacekeeping operation or Headquarters support account funded positions in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the Department of Field Support, taking into account their contribution to United Nations peacekeeping, in accordance with General Assembly resolutions 66/265 and 67/287.For the latest list of troop- and police-contributing countries, visit the following website: https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/troop-and-policecontributors. • 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. • 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.