Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Business Partner Service of the Office of the Under-Secretary-General, Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance (DMSPC). The Business Partner Service (BPS) provides strategic support and advice to the Department in the areas of human resources management, budgetary and financial administration, resource planning and general administration. The Business Partner Service provides expert advice on the exercise of authorities in the area of budgetary and finance, procurement, property management and human resources are delegated from the Secretary-General to the Under-Secretary General as head of entity and implements the decisions of the Under-Secretary General in the exercise of those authorities. The Business Partner Service also provides administrative support to the Secretariat of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, the Board of Auditors and the Independent Audit Advisory Committee, as well as to the members of the Committee for Programme and Coordination, the independent Audit Advisory Committee, the Committee on Contributions and representatives from the Least developed Countries.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Chief will be responsible for the following duties: Management and Coordination • Formulates and implements the work programme of the Business Partner Service. • Oversees the management of activities undertaken by the Service, ensures that programmed activities are carried out in a timely manner and coordinates work in the different areas both within the Service and Department, and with other organizations of the Secretariat or United Nations System, as appropriate. • Ensures that the outputs produced by the Service maintain required high-quality standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates. • Coordinates with other agencies and bodies of the United Nations system on work carried out; provides programmatic/substantive reviews of the drafts prepared by others. Policy and Planning • Provides expert and strategic support to the Under Secretary-General and senior management in the development and implementation of the strategic, administrative and financial frameworks, including change management. • Oversees management reviews of high sensitivity and complexity; defines problems to be addressed in management reviews; directs the work of review teams through all stages. • Provides expert advice to senior management on budgeting, financial, human resources and general administration and management information issues and practices. • Produces major/complex reports for senior management, including periodically on human resources and financial resources management. • Provides overall direction, guidance and support for an effective planning, coordination and implementation of enterprise risk management and statement of Internal Control. • Participates, on behalf of the Department, in task forces of the Secretariat on human resources and administrative matters, including the implementation of the information management systems. • Participates in meetings to provide advice on administrative, financial and human resources matters, as required. • Contributes to the design and implementation of forward-thinking and innovative business practices and leads and coordinates assigned projects across the Department. Human Resource Management • Provides expert and strategic advice on the exercise of authorities in the area of human resources that are delegated from the Secretary-General to the Under-Secretary-General and implements the decisions of the Under-Secretary-General in the exercise of those authorities. • Takes the lead in coordinating the staff and human resources-related issues, ensuring departmental requirements are met, including overseeing development and maintenance of staffing table records; interpretation and application of staff rules relating to human resource issues; preparation and implementation of staffing priorities. • Reviews proposed and executed actions for compliance with relevant regulations, rules, policies and procedures for recruitment, transfer, placement and separation of staff, promotions, as well as mobility and career development; gender equality and geographical distribution and staff-management relations, bringing any issues of concern to the attention of the Under-Secretary General. • Provides expert advice with respect to conditions of service, duties and responsibilities, and privileges and entitlements under the Staff Rules and Regulations. • Provides guidance and support to staff and managers regarding: the implementation of the performance management and development system; the creation of a harmonious work environment ensuring that all are treated with dignity and respect, the prevention of prohibited conduct and early conflict resolution. • Oversees responses to Internal and External Audit observations in compliance with the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative instructions and guidelines. Oversees the development and maintenance of an information system, including dashboards, databases, and other key tools to ensure the availability of quality data and analysis on key human resources performance indicators and ensure compliance with monthly, quarterly and yearly reporting requirements for decision-making. • Liaises with the Department of Operational Support on human resources administration and other support services. Financial Management • Provides expert advice on the exercise of authorities in the area of budget, finance and physical/material resources that are delegated from the Secretary-General to the Under-Secretary-General and implements the decisions of the Under-Secretary-General in the exercise of those authorities. • Takes the lead in securing the required resources for the Department and coordinating the preparation of departmental proposals for, assessed and extrabudgetary resources and reports to donors. • Serves as lead financial adviser to the Under-Secretary-General, on departmental resources, providing guidance and direction on business and resource planning, formulating strategic direction and evaluating strategic options, particularly in terms of resource implications, and assuming the lead role in monitoring and supporting the execution of these strategies to achieve maximum impact. • Oversees internal financial reports and responses to Internal and External Audit observations in compliance with the Financial Regulations and Rules. • Reviews proposed and executed actions for compliance with relevant regulations, rules, policies and procedures for programme planning, finance, budget and property management, bringing any issues of concern to the attention of the Under-Secretary General. Other • Oversees the management activities, the administrative support and advice related to human resources, budgetary and financial administration, and general administration to the Secretariat of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary questions, the Board of Auditors and the Independent Audit Advisory Committee, as well as administrative support the members of the Committee for Programme and Coordination, the Independent Audit Advisory Committee, the Committee on Contributions.

Competencies

Professionalism – Extensive knowledge of Staff Regulations and Rules, Financial Regulations and Rules. Ability to provide expert advice to senior management on human resources, budgeting, financial, general administration and information and communications technology policies and practices. 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. 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. 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. 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. Managing Performance: 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. 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 or public administration, finance, accounting, human resources, law or related area is required. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in combination with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience with finance, budget, human resources management, of which five years are at the international level with the United Nations or other comparable international organization is required. At least three years of senior managerial experience, leading and managing teams in finance, budget or human resources management is required. Experience in formulating budget proposals, managing budget implementation and producing reports is required. Experience with overseeing human resources management and administration, talent acquisition and recruitment to achieve strategic and mandated objectives is required. Experience in planning and coordinating actions on human resources and financial matters with other agencies and bodies of the United Nations system, or other international organisations is desirable. Experience with the implementation of organizational change management 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 French is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

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. 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. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or under-represented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 August 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 Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu. Staff members appointed to the current position are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon assignment or appointment and annually thereafter. 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.

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.