Director, Business Transformation and Accountability

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Business Transformation and Accountability Division (BTAD) of the Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance (DMSPC). The Director reports to the Under-Secretary-General for Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance. The Business Transformation and Accountability Division establishes and mainstreams accountability systems to drive a results-based culture and the proactive management of risk. The Division is a key enabler of the Secretary-General's decision to delegate authority closer to the point of delivery, empowering managers to determine how best to use their resources to implement mandates. The Division provides real-time data and support on performance to senior managers and other internal and external stakeholders and conducts oversight coordination functions in a cycle of continuous improvement. It creates opportunities to strengthen the use of evaluation and of data analytics in the Secretariat, to modernize and innovate through change initiatives, and oversees business transformation projects.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority and in line with the Division’s main pillars, the Director is responsible for the following: Directing and managing the Business Transformation and Accountability Division - Sets the strategic direction of the Division, directing the establishment of the systems, processes and procedures required to fulfill its mandate. - Formulates and implements the substantive work programme of the Division, determining priorities and allocating resources for the timely delivery of outputs and programmed activities. - Co-ordinates work in the different areas both within the Division and Department, and with other organizations of the UN System as appropriate. - Ensures that the outputs produced maintain high-quality standards and comply with the relevant mandates; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. - Undertakes or oversees the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Division, including preparation of programme plans and budgets, assigning and monitoring of performance parameters and indicators, evaluation of staff performance. - Reports to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance or on programmatic issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in annual reports. - Manages, guides, develops staff of the Division; fosters teamwork and communication in the Division and across organizational boundaries. Oversees the recruitment of staff for Division taking due account to geographical and gender balance and other institutional parameters and values. - Contributes to the formulation of management strategies and policies by participating in various committees, directing the preparation of documents on policy issues and acting, as required, in an advisory capacity to senior managers. - Chairs meetings, seminars, etc., on substantive-related issues; represents the Organization at international, inter-agency meetings and conference; provides programmatic/substantive expertise and holds programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions. Providing leadership to the continuous strengthening of the accountability system - Oversees support to Secretariat entities to foster results-based management, including to programme managers in the continuous improvement of an annual framework of deliverables. - Directs support to all entities in applying a systematic and holistic approach to risk management across the Organization to increase the likelihood of achieving objectives. - Coordinates the work of entities within the Secretariat in regards to the interactions with oversight bodies; analyses their findings and recommendations and follows up on the status of implementation of their recommendations. Liaises with and analyses findings for UN system organizations audited by the Board of Auditors, - Chairs the Vendor Review Committee to provide recommendations to the Under-Secretary-General for DMSPC on matters regarding proscribed practices or performance issues of vendors. - Co-ordinates and oversees the preparation of reports for presentation to and provides substantive servicing to intergovernmental bodies such as the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, the Committee for Programme and Coordination, the General Assembly and other policy-making organs, as appropriate. Measuring and supporting Organizational Performance and continuous learning in a decentralized Secretariat - Directs the process for measuring organizational performance, as well as the performance of heads of entities, and informs Member States and other stakeholders of organizational performance. - Strengthens the use of evaluation as a learning tool and directs the provision of support to managers in the conduct of evaluation activities. - Oversees the provision of guidance and support to heads of entities and their managers who have been delegated authority over the use of resources. Guides monitoring and reporting on the use of delegated authority to support managers and staff in complying with regulations and rules as they implement their mandates. - Directs the design of analytical tools and dashboards to support managers in the execution of their delegated authority; identifies areas with potential for improvement. Supporting Business Transformation, Innovation and the use of Data Analytics - Direct initiatives to strengthen the use of data analytics across Secretariat entities and to provide relevant management dashboards to support evidence-based decision-making. - As part of a continuous organizational improvement process, leads or supports business transformation initiatives to cultivate modernization and innovation throughout the Secretariat. - Ensures the Division serves as a think tank for project and change management best practices. - Contributes to the design, review, and implementation of UN System mechanisms leading, inter alia, to the improvement of operational support and overall efficiency. Performs other related duties as requested by the Under-Secretary-General of DMSPC.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of strategic planning, including ability to identify issues, opportunities and risks; as well as communicate links between the Organization's strategy and the Division's goals. Ability to facilitate inclusive processes with staff in the Division, across the Secretariat and the UN system, creating enabling and inspiring working environments that foster collaboration and innovative solutions. Knowledge of the works of the UN and the substantive field of work in general and of specific areas being supervised. Ability to oversee the production of reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Ability to apply UN regulations, rules, policies, and guidelines in work situations and to guide others in their application. 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. CREATIVITY: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks "outside the box"; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches. 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; demonstrates ability to engage constructively in difficult conversations and keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. 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 improvement; 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 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, public policies, or public administration, management, administration, information systems management or related fields is required. A first-level degree (Bachelor's or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies 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

Over fifteen years of progressively responsible and varied experience in at least three of the following areas: business transformation; accountability systems; oversight; monitoring and evaluation; data analytics; risk management; organizational performance; programme management or administration is required. At least five years of experience in providing authoritative advice to senior officials on strategic issues is required. At least five years of experience supervising a team is required. At least five years of experience in preparing reports for and in addressing and servicing the legislative or advisory bodies of a UN system organization or comparable governmental or international organizations on complex issues, is required. At least two years of experience in large and complex international, governmental, or global organizations is required. Experience in leading change management is required. Experience in managing components of accountability systems is required. Experience in designing or managing delegation of authority frameworks is desirable. Experience in strengthening the utilization of business analytics to monitor and support organizational performance is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official 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

Staff members appointed to the current position are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon assignment or appointment and annually thereafter. 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. 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. 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. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 30 Nov 2023, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu.

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.