Space Planning Officer
New York City
- Organization: UNDOS - United Nations Department of Operational Support
- Location: New York City
- Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
-
Occupational Groups:
- Operations and Administrations
- Outer space and satellite technology
- Closing Date: 2025-12-11
Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the DC2 Renovation Project, Planning Design and Construction Section (PDCS), Facilities and Commercial Activities Service (FCAS), Division of Administration (DOA), Department of Operational Support (DOS). The Department of Operational Support was established to provide operational advisory services to operating entities across the Secretariat, including other departments, offices away from headquarters, field missions, and regional commissions. The department has embarked on the DC2 Project, which is a multi-year Capital Renovation project to convert 25 floors of the DC2 building into flexible workspace. The Facilities and Commercial Activities Service (FCAS) operates the Headquarters complex, striving to provide effective and efficient planning, management, maintenance and operation of all existing physical facilities and assets at UN Headquarters, New York. FCAS also supports office and conference facilities, property management, travel and transportation services, archives and records management, mail and pouch operations, catering, giftshop and the United Nations Postal Administration. The incumbent reports directly to the Senior Project Officer of the DC2 Project.
Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Senior Project Officer, the Space Planning Officer shall be responsible for leading intensive space planning activities, including needs assessments, swing space planning, final space allocations, and related relocation moves. The incumbent shall be responsible for engaging with offices and departments to develop a strategic brief outlining short- and long-term goals and space requirements; developing detailed move plans from existing locations to temporary spaces and from temporary spaces to final locations; assessing swing space needs and final space allocations, considering staff grades, team co-location, and departmental interdependencies. The incumbent will perform the following duties: • Analyzes, develops and advises on all space planning and allocation issues. • Analyzes occupancy of buildings affected by the DC2 project and advises of needs for office relocation to temporary space and long-term space. • Assesses swing space needs and final space allocations, considering staff grades, team co-location, and departmental interdependencies. • Negotiates space allocation with other offices. • Gathers space needs from all users' departments and offices and their senior management through meetings and seminars and analyzes their request for soundness, feasibility and cost implications, both for short term and long-term occupancy. • Develops the Block and Stack Plan, which includes stack plans showing locations, adjacencies, and move sequences from current locations to temporary space and from temporary space to final locations. • Communicates moving dates and locations with department and offices in accordance with project schedule. • Analyzes and advises on the planning, design and construction of office reconfigurations and moves. • Plans and directs timely office moves either through United Nations moving personnel or outside contracted commercial movers. • Coordinates related relocation requirements such as IT, HVAC, furniture and equipment. • Oversees, supervises and directs the operation and maintenance of the computerized facilities management system and provides guidance and counseling to the staff. • Implements and keeps CAFM up-to-date. • Interacts with other units and services to obtain occupancy data and makes data available for the Department of Safety & Security. • Manages all aspects of contract administration on consultancies, construction and moving contracts. • Provides technical analysis of contractor pre-qualification documentation, evaluates contractor's proposals and administers contracts, which includes, inter alia, compliance, communications, setting goals, observing performance and resolving claims and disputes. • Performs other duties as required.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of matters related to office space planning and design; knowledge of United Nations policies, procedures and practice in areas of cost estimating, budgeting, scheduling of field-work, coordination, contract administration, procurement and asset management; overall knowledge of building codes and other recognized safety standards; knowledge of furniture systems and manufacturers; ability to identify priority activities and assignments, foresee risks and allow for contingencies when planning; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work. 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 the audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. 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. 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.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in architecture, engineering, or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with 2 years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Job - Specific Qualification
Not available.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in architectural or engineering design and planning with emphasis on office space planning work is required. Experience working on furniture systems and manufacturers is required. Experience working in a supervisory role is required. Experience working on New York City office leases and commercial office move operations is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult
https://languages.un.org
for details).
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Required Languages
Language
Reading
Writing
Listening
Speaking
English
UN Level III
UN Level III
UN Level III
UN Level III
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview.
Special Notice
This position is temporarily available for 364 days. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. Selection or assignment against this position will be for a limited duration in line with the DC2 Renovation project. While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. This temporary job opening may be limited to "internal candidates," who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. 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.
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. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. 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.
We do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.