Director, Management and Operations Division, Nairobi

Closing date: Tuesday, 23 June 2015

Posting Title: Director, Management and Operations Division, D2
Job Code Title: DIRECTOR, ADMINISTRATION
Department/ Office: United Nations Human Settlements Programme
Duty Station: NAIROBI
Posting Period: 24 April 2015-23 June 2015
Job Opening number: 15-ADM-UNHABITAT-41415-D-NAIROBI (X)
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.
This post is funded for a finite period of one year. Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds.
Organizational Setting and Reporting
This position is located in Management and Operations Division, UN-Habitat. Within delegated authority, the mandate of the Management and Operations Division is to ensure the provision of strategic direction, delivery, quality and results of the administrative functions and financial health of UN-Habitat. The incumbent reports to the Executive Director.
Responsibilities
Under the overall supervision of the Executive Director, the incumbent is responsible for

• Advising the Executive Director and senior managers of UN-Habitat on all administration related issues and on the interpretation of the rules and regulations of the organization;
• Managing the day to day operations of the United Nations Habitat and Human Settlements Foundation;
• Providing direction on the allocation and management of the regular budget, the United Nations Habitat and Human Settlements Foundation and extra-budgetary technical cooperation resources of the organization;
• Providing operational support and guidance in implementation of projects at different levels of the organization;
• Ensuring that UN-Habitat utilizes effective practices and procedures on organizational, programmatic and technology related matters, and keeps them under review;
• Supporting the Executive Director in preparation of the six-year strategic plan, the biennial strategic framework, the biennial work programme and budget, in close collaboration with the Programme Division and all other units and offices of UN-Habitat;
• Monitoring of and reporting on the implementation of the organization's six-year strategic plan and the work programme and budget, following the principles of Results Based Management;
• Ensuring compliance with agreements between UN-Habitat and its partners, including donors;
• Taking responsibility for UN-Habitat's human resources management, procurement and administrative services requirements on the basis of proper agreements or resolutions, including agreements with other United Nations offices or organizations.
• Taking responsibility for UN-Habitat support services, including ICT, administrative, security and conference services, on the basis of proper agreements or resolutions, including agreements with other United Nations offices or organizations, and keeps them under constant review as appropriate;
• Providing strategic advice, guidance and support to the Executive Director on all issues falling under the purview of the Management and Operations Division;
• Acting as the organization's focal point for audit and inspection;
• Ensuring internal controls and oversight, regular audits and inspections in the secretariat;
• Providing legal advisory services to all units and offices of UN-Habitat;
• Coordinating and assisting the Executive Director with mobilization of voluntary contributions for the United Nations Habitat and Human Settlements Foundation and extra-budgetary resources for technical cooperation projects, and maintains effective relations with donors and development partners;
• Ensuring adequate cooperation and coordination with the United Nations Office at Nairobi for effective delivery of common services.

Competencies
Professionalism

• Ability to perform a broad range of administrative functions, e.g., budget/work programme, human resources, database management, etc.
• Ability to apply knowledge of various United Nations administrative, financial and human resources rules and regulations in work situations.
• 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.

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.

Empowering Others

• Delegates responsibility, clarifies expectations, and gives staff autonomy in important areas of their work;
• encourages others to set challenging goals;
• holds others accountable for achieving results related to their area of responsibility;
• genuinely values all staff members' input and expertise;
• shows appreciation and rewards achievement and effort; involves others when making decisions that affect them.

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 for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards;
• operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules;
• supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments;
• takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Social Sciences, Public Business Administration and Management, Accounting or Finance or related field.
• A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience maybe accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• Over fifteen years (15) of relevant progressively responsible experience, in financial management, budget, human resources management or related areas is required.
• At least five years experience in senior management positions in a national/international organizations is required.
• Experience in developing internal policy documents and operating procedures is required.
• Experience in leading teams working on budget preparation and management 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 Method

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

United Nations Considerations
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.
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.
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' hyper-link on the upper right side of inspira account-holder homepage.
Applications are pre-screened by the system according to the published requirements of the job opening on the basis of the information provided in the application. In relation to the requirements of the job opening, applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their qualifications, including their education, work experience, and language skills. Each applicant must bear in mind that submission of incomplete or inaccurate applications may render that applicant ineligible for consideration for the job opening. Initial screening and evaluation of applications will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted. Applications cannot be amended following submission. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (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.

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