https://inspira.un.org/psc/UNCAREERS/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/UN_CUSTOMIZATIONS.UN_JOB_DETAIL.GBL?Page=UN_JOB_DETAIL&Action=A&JobOpeningId=39071&
Closing date: Friday, 13 February 2015
Posting Title: SPECIAL ASSISTANT, P5
Job Code Title: SPECIAL ASSISTANT, ADMINISTRATION
Department/ Office: Office of Human Resources Management
Duty Station: NEW YORK
Posting Period: 15 December 2014-13 February 2015
Job Opening number: 14-ADM-DM OHRM-39071-R-NEW YORK(G)
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
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.
Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfill the lateral move(s) requirements, or geographical to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral or geographical move(s) in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover note.
Organizational Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Office of the Assistant-Secretary-General for Human Resources Management. The incumbent will report directly to the Assistant-Secretary-General.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Chief of Unit/Section will be responsible for the following:
- Provides policy and managerial guidance to the Assistant- Secretary-General (ASG) arising within OHRM, including implementation of policies and human resources management reform initiatives. Plans and oversees the management of activities undertaken by OASG ensures that substantive work programmes and programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion, coordinating offices in OHRM and other departments in the Secretariat; liaises with Member State representatives and briefs staff, managers and the public as necessary.
- Manages, supervises and carries out the work programme of the Office of the ASG. Co-ordinates the work carried out by the Unit/Section; provides programmatic and substantive reviews of drafts prepared by others.
- Develops the communications strategy for the Office particularly on human resources management reform policy proposals;
- Provides substantive input in the preparation of position papers and reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budget Questions, the General Assembly and other policy-making organs, as appropriate.
- Prepares policy statements, speeches and background papers, contributes to reports to the General Assembly and other inter-governmental bodies.
- Oversees formulation of budget proposals and the office work plan for OHRM, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports.
- Ensures that the outputs produced by the Unit/Section maintain high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. Ensures that all outputs produced by the Unit/Section under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates.
- Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision.
- Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Unit/Section and across organizational boundaries.
- Performs other ad-hoc functions as required.
Competencies
- Professionalism: Knowledge of the substantive field of work in general and of specific areas being supervised. Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. Ability to demonstrate high attention to detail; Is structured and disciplined and follows up on all work matters; 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 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 or public administration, law or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in programme or project planning and management, administrative services or related area. Experience in a multi-cultural, international setting is required. Experience in policy formulation and organizational reform is desirable. Experience in the development and implementation of a communication strategy is desirable. Experience in representing the head of an organizational work unit in high-level fora or presenting its position is desirable. Experience in offices away from headquarters, UN peace operations or other field operation 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 a second official United Nations language is an advantage.
Assessment Method
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
United Nations Considerations
Job openings posted on the Careers Portal are taken off at midnight (New York time) on the deadline date.
Applications are automatically pre-screened according to the published evaluation criteria of the job opening on the basis of the information provided by applicants. Applications cannot be amended following submission and incomplete applications shall not be considered. The selected candidate will be subject to a reference checking process to verify the information provided in the application.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on 'The Application Process' and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on 'Manuals' on the upper right side of the browser on Inspira.
The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
Candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.