GMS Product Manager

Org. Setting and Reporting

With its 192 member countries, the Universal Postal Union (UPU), a specialized agency of the United Nations, is the primary forum for cooperation between postal sector players. It helps to ensure a truly universal network of up-to-date products and services.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Manager, the incumbent is responsible for the UPU GMS monitoring and implementation of branding new services and designing new features according to stakeholders needs, identifying problems and issues to be addressed, recommending corrective actions, liaising with relevant parties, identifying/tracking follow-up actions. In addition, the incumbent is responsible for Quality control and development of UPU GMS. 1. Quality control Organises and checks the quality control of GMS Organises and prepares the reporting of GMS developments, including provision of practical advices to member countries. 2. Reporting Organises and prepares the reporting of GMS developments, including provision of practical advices to member countries. 3. Training Participates in training workshops to GMS member countries. 4. Product design Performs research on market trends, technology updates and methodologies that may impact GMS. Identifies customer needs and conducts customer surveys to monitor and design product features. Prepares product requirements and develop proof of concepts to validate assumptions and product market fit. Works with key partners, Global Monitoring System (GMS) stakeholders and beneficiary countries to support the facilitation of the implementation of GMS products. Participates in field missions to engage with users, perform workshops or identify operational needs, including provision of substantive and administrative support, data collection, etc. Organizes and prepares proposals for pricing for GMS products. 5. Management of projects under his responsibility Leads the end-to-end process of project management, from securing funding to implementing, monitoring, and optimizing project outcomes, while also assessing risks, managing stakeholders, and evaluating social and environmental impacts. 6. Procurement and Supplier Management: Oversees end-to-end process of procurement and supplier management, including technology exploration, supplier identification, drafting and monitoring agreements, quality control, budget management, issue resolution, co-planning and co-designing solutions, and ensuring environmental and social responsibility aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals. Additionally, it involves risk mitigation strategies to guarantee the fulfilment of contractual obligations. Prepares requests for proposals, runs call for tenders and provides recommendations on their outcomes ensuring compliance with internal rules and procurement policies. Drafts service agreements and monitors the agreement compliance between parties. Manages payments and budget allocated to each service agreement and contract. Identifies and mitigates risks concerning failure of the contractor on the provision of goods and services as described in the agreements. 7. Program management Support and Research: Participates in strategic meetings, provides ideas and contributes to design business plans and forecasts. Conducts diverse research, analysis, and presentation of information from various sources (either internal or external) in order to support strategic planning. Advises on sustainability matters. 8. Activities relating to Funding Prepares project application funds for international and domestic projects concerning GMS Edge products. Drafts reports for the assigned projects, including analysis and recommendations. Monitors spending against approved budgets. 8. Assists in secretariat work relating to POC/CA bodies. 9. Assists the GMS Programme Manager on overall activities.

Competencies

Communication: – Adapts communication style and content so that they are appropriate to the needs of the intended audience; – Efficiently manages challenging and sensitive information. Teamwork: – Encourages cooperation among staff within the programme and directorate and across the organization; – Collects and assesses information on a broad range of issues related to the team’s work and seeks common solutions; – Encourages others to be innovative in order to improve outcomes. Results orientation: – Quickly identifies issues and the right person to provide solutions, and shows strong client orientation in business dealings; – Explores the options for finding innovative solutions to improve work processes and results; – Remains focused and keeps morale high when faced with adversity; – Reallocates resources quickly and effectively when faced with unforeseen events Cost awareness: – Develops and implements tools for monitoring the resources of own projects; – Helps colleagues identify best practices in their area in order to create better services; – Takes full responsibility for managing the budget of own portfolio, if applicable. Self-development: – Takes the initiative to voluntarily enhance professional knowledge. Job-related competencies: – Knowledge of postal operations – Ability to identify and resolve data discrepancies and operational problems.

Education

1 Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in engineering in industrial design and or product development. 2 Master degree or equivalent in project management. PMP accreditation is an asset.

Job – Specific Qualification

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in engineering in industrial design and or product development is required Master degree or equivalent in project management. PMP accreditation is an asset is desirable

Work Experience

Experience in managing international and national projects, preferably involving RFID Technology in the Postal/logistics sector is required

Languages

Proficiency in English is required. Basic knowledge of French and Spanish would be an advantage.

Assessment

Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for written test. Additional testing/interviewing may be used as a form of screening.

Special Notice

Annual salary:(Net of tax) 64,121 USD Post adjustment: 88.5% of the above figure(s). This percentage is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation. Type of contract: Fixed term (non-core) Appointment Duration: 3 Years Scheduled date for taking up appointment: As soon as possible – This is a non-core post. This position will be in full compliance with the “Rules governing non-core staff”, which expressly exclude some international benefits (home leave, installation grant, education grant and eligibility to a continuing appointment). The selected staff will participate in the UPU Provident Scheme and will be insured together with their recognized dependents against the risks of sickness and accidents. This is a three years’ contract which can be renewed if the services continue to be required in the future, the funds are available and/or the staff member’s performance is satisfactory. However, this appointment does not automatically carry any expectancy of extension or renewal or of conversion to any other type of appointment. – French is the official language of the UPU. English and French are the working languages of the UPU International Bureau. – Priority shall be given for an internal promotion. – The UPU is committed to encouraging diversity within its workforce. Interested candidates from minority groups and/or with disabilities are encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated equally and in the strictest confidence. – Applications from women and member states are particularly encouraged. – Candidates might be considered for other similar posts (for a period not exceeding one year). – Candidates must ensure that they provide relevant contact details so that they can be contacted at any time, to prevent them from being excluded from the selection process. – The UPU is committed to securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for its staff members. In this regard, candidates under serious consideration for selection may be subject to satisfactory background checks aimed at validating the educational and professional background records as indicated by candidates in their respective application forms. At the discretion of the UPU, such background checks may also be extended to include criminal records, disciplinary measures, sexual exploitation and abuse, and professional license check validation.

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.