Org. Setting and Reporting
The mandate of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is to promote sustainable and inclusive development and regional connectivity in the Asian and Pacific region. ESCAP’s role as a regional development arm of the United Nations Secretariat is to support its membership with policy oriented research and analysis, normative support and technical assistance and capacity building, to respond to the development priorities and changing needs of the Asian and Pacific region.
This position leads the Division of Administration, managing all operational areas including procurement, human resources, finance, central support services, conference centre management, information technology services. Other activities of the Division include acting as a service provider to other UN entities in the Asia and Pacific Region, overseeing the real estate and host country agreements of ESCAP premises, and administration of the United Nations Medical and Occupational Safety and Health services. Acts as the Project Executive for the managing a Seismic Mitigation and Retrofit project in Thailand.
This position is located in the Division of Administration. The incumbent reports to the Deputy Executive Secretary for Programme Support.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Director of Administration is responsible for the effective, efficient and systematic management and delivery of all administrative support services required by ESCAP to fulfill its mandate in an efficient and cost effective manner, ensuring that the Commission adheres to the established UN regulations, rules policies and procedures in all operational areas.
Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Programme Support, the incumbent is required to perform the following functions:
• Provides strategic direction and supports the leadership in administrative planning of financial, human and physical resources management; and assists the Executive Secretary and senior management in the development and implementation of the administrative and financial and human resources framework and conduct of resource and asset management with due consideration to fiduciary standards.
• Advises senior management on, financial, human resources, supply chain, real estate, information technology and management, and general administration issues and practices.
• Develops strategies, , processes and procedures that ensure strategic and cost effective management of the administrative services of the following sections and units: human resources management; financial services; procurement; information and communications technology services; conference centre management; real estate management and central support services; travel, transport, and host country relations.
• Produces major reports for management and provides guidance in related areas including long-range planning, appropriate management techniques, and audit observations.
• Develops cost plans and containment strategies for the division, monitors expenditures to ensure that they remain within authorized levels; provides guidance and direction on financial and resource planning and effective utilization.
• Provides supervision and policy advisory services and guidance to all areas under the Division and in support of the Commission's work; promotes organizational-wide reform policies and initiatives and facilitates effective staff mobility.
• Ensures that the outputs produced by the Division maintain high quality standards and ensures that production and service standards are met; implements strategies by organizing and directing operational activities of the Division with the objective of continuous upgrading of divisional staff capacity and services.
• Leads, supervises and carries out the work programme of the Division, ensuring that work in the different areas is coordinated both within the Division and other Divisions, and with other organizations of the United Nations System, as appropriate.
• Manages, guides, develops, and trains staff under his/her supervision.
• Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Division and across organizational boundaries.
• Performs other related duties as required.
Competencies
Core Competencies:
Professionalism: Ability to provide specialized advice in a broad range of human resources management, financial, real estate management and administrative areas to senior management. Ability to prepare reports with respect to key administrative decisions. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies, and guidelines in work situations and prepare reports or rational with respect to key administrative decisions. Demonstrated ability in handling complex organizational issues at the international level. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies and direction of the Organization; 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.
Managerial competencies:
Leadership: Provides strategic and innovative leadership; collaborates to ensure operational strategies support the programme of work appropriately; 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.
Judgment/decision making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; proactively seeks and recommends sound policy guidance; 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 management, business administration, public administration, human resources, finance, or related area.
A relevant first-level university degree in the above fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience in various areas of administration, such as financial services and budgeting, human resources, real estate management, information technology services, supply chain management, conference services, central support services or related field is required.
Experience with managing a sizeable work force of a diverse nature is required.
Experience with managing projects, including change management initiatives at the organizational-wide level, e.g. construction, renovation, technology, and/or conference services is required.
Hands on experience with application, including interpretation of UN Financial and Staff Regulations, Rules, policies and procedures is highly desirable.
Demonstrated experience with international standards in financial (IPSAS), procurement, human resources and other administrative areas is highly desirable.
Demonstrated functional, organizational and/or geographic mobility is desirable.
Relevant work experience in the Asia and Pacific Region 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
Qualified applicants may be evaluated through a competency-based interview and/or other assessment methods.
Special Notice
Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.