Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the United Nations Global Service Centre (UNGSC) within the Office of Supply Chain Management within the Department of Operational Support. 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 (ASG) for Supply Chain Management, the Logistics Division, the Procurement Division, the Uniformed Capabilities Support Division, UN Global Service Centre, Enabling and Outreach Service and the Aviation Safety Section. The United Nations Global Service Centre provides critical Supply Chain, Geospatial, Information and Telecommunications Technologies services, Occupational and Health Safety as well as Training and Conferencing services to all Secretariat Entities, Peacekeeping and Special Political missions, Agencies, Funds and Programmes of the UN system worldwide. UNGSC is comprised of three core Service areas: Supply Chain Service (SCS), Service for Geospatial, Information and Telecommunications Technologies (SGITT) and Central Service. The incumbent will be based in Brindisi, Italy and reports through the Assistant-Secretary-General for Supply Chain Management in the Department of Operational Support to the Under-Secretary-General for Operational Support.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, and under the guidance of the Assistant-Secretary-General, the Director will be responsible for the following functions: • Leads and oversees the operations of the UNLB/ United Nations Global Service Centre (UNGSC), comprising the Global Service Centre, Brindisi, Italy and the UN Information and Communication Technology Base, Valencia, Spain. • Develops a shared vision for fulfilling the mandate of the UNGSC and sets the strategic direction to achieve goals and objectives in alignment with DOS and OSCM Goals and in close collaboration with OICT. • Provides leadership, guidance and high level operational direction in the execution of UNGSC activities and develops new approaches to support the diverse client base also by fostering partnerships with other service providers, UN entities and regional organizations. • Applies new and innovative business practices and technologies including category management approaches and leads digital transformation efforts to enhance operational and cost-effectiveness in support of peace, security, sustainability, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). • Ensures, through collaboration with all stakeholders a commitment to implement specialized programmes, services and cross-cutting solutions that leverage the combined skills of the UNGSC (supply chain, environment and digital technology) for a synergic and impactful response to clients’ needs also allowing for efficiencies wherever possible. • Assumes overall responsibility for the Centre’s resources and administration and provides effective management and supervision of human, financial (including cost-recovery) and material resources of the UNGSC. In particular, promotes the adoption of environmental and sustainable practices in both duty stations. • Oversees the UNGSC’s organizational units namely; the Supply Chain Service, the Geospatial, Information and Telecommunications Technologies Service, and the Central Service promoting mainstreaming of best practices across the Centre. In addition, oversees the provision of administrative support to the Tenant units of the UNGSC. • Oversees and operationalizes DOS, OSCM and UN headquarters strategies and policies to enable clients to deliver on their mandate and programmatic activities. • Maintains active communication with DOS, OSCM, OICT at UN headquarters, the regional service centers and client missions and partners. • Works to sustain and enrich the existing partnerships with host countries while actively pursuing cutting edge, cost-conscious and sustainability focused initiatives that will improve the quality, impact and timeliness of the support services and programmes delivered to clients worldwide. • Prepares reports to the ASG for OSCM and USG of DOS, senior United Nations officials, United Nations legislative bodies on all matters relating to the implementation of the UNLB/Center’s mandate. • Promotes and monitors the implementation of policies to guide the integration of gender perspectives in policy and operational activities of the Centre and supports the increased recruitment of women to facilitate enhanced operational impact. • Performs other related work as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: In-depth understanding of the Organization and practice of mission support operations as they are mounted by the United Nations in its field operations, including familiarity with the Organization’s governance frameworks and its processes for management of human, financial and physical resources; ability to resolve complex support problems typical of those that are encountered in United Nations field operations; commitment to the ideals of the Organization; wide exposure to the management of complex, multidisciplinary teams/organizations; ability to meet commitments and deliver results; proven critical thinking skills; ability to ensure adequate preparation of reports or rationale with respect to key logistics and administrative decisions; strong negotiation and conflict- resolution skills. Shows pride in work and 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. • Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility of delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. • 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 in the best interest of the organization. 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. • Managing performance: Empowers staff and delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority. Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member. Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills. Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines. Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff. Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative. Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff. Appraises performance fairly.

Education

An Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent degree) in business or public administration, supply chain management, logistics, or a related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

• A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible professional experience in the areas of administration, management, global operations, logistics, supply chain management, information and communication technology, or other related area is required. • A minimum of 10 years of management experience with responsibilities in human and financial resources management is required. • Experience in developing strategic and proactive solutions based on client needs and system thinking, using data for decision making is required. • Experience in managing a diverse clientele, forge partnerships and collaborating across multiple stakeholder groups to achieve Organization-wide strategic objectives and priorities is required. • Experience in digital innovation and change management is desirable. • Experience supporting complex field operations in conflict and post-conflict environments is desirable. • Experience in addressing global operational disruptions through the management of innovative operations initiatives 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 a second 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 or assignment and renewal therefore subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. • 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. • Staff members appointed to the current position are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon assignment or 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.