The Administrative Specialist (Field Support & Construction) provides integrated administrative and technical support to field and regional offices. The role encompasses premises leasing, space utilization, property and construction management, as well as common premises projects. The position ensures compliance with UNICEF policies on premises management, UN standards for space utilization, and financial accountability requirements (IPSAS 43) related to lease premises. It also supports the delivery of safe, cost-effective, and inclusive workplaces across all UNICEF offices.

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to a Champion

How can you make a difference?

In the context of UNICEF’s ongoing organizational transformation under the Future-Focused Initiative (FFI), the consolidation of administrative support functions related to premises management and construction into a single position (Field Support and Construction) is essential to advancing organizational efficiency, accountability, and cost optimization objectives. As UNICEF continues implementing the FFI - including the relocation of functions and staff to lower-cost duty stations, the establishment of new global offices, and the closure or restructuring of existing offices - DFAM must continuously adapt its operational and administrative support framework to respond to evolving global business and premises management needs. This position will play a critical strategic role in supporting DFAM’s global premises management framework by ensuring effective office space planning, availability, and optimization across UNICEF operations. The role will provide strategic and technical support in premises management to promote operational efficiency and cost reduction through space optimization, common premises initiatives, office renovations, and construction projects. In addition, the position will support organizational compliance with premises management policies and procedures, including IPSAS 43 requirements related to lease accounting and asset management. The position will also contribute to maintaining safe, accessible, sustainable, and functional working environments that support staff well-being and operational continuity across UNICEF offices globally. By consolidating these responsibilities into a single strategic function (Field Support and Construction), DFAM will strengthen oversight, improve coordination and accountability, and enhance the organization’s capacity to deliver efficient, standardized, and cost-effective administrative support services across its global operations.

Purpose for the job 

The Administrative Specialist (Field Support & Construction) provides integrated administrative and technical support to field and regional offices. The role encompasses premises leasing, space utilization, property and construction management, as well as common premises projects.

The position ensures compliance with UNICEF policies on premises management, UN standards for space utilization, and financial accountability requirements (IPSAS 43) related to lease premises. It also supports the delivery of safe, cost-effective, and inclusive workplaces across all UNICEF offices.

1. Administrative Management
 - Support field offices with administrative services, including guidance on premises management, grants, rental advances, and compensation claims.
 - Provide interpretation and guidance on administrative policies and procedures.
 - Review draft legal agreements related to premises to ensure conformity with UN standard terms. Provide advice to field offices on negotiating the terms and conditions of premises agreements and recommend liaison with the Senior Legal Advisor when necessary.
 - Prepare reports, briefing notes, and audit responses for senior management.

2. Premises Records Management
- Ensure premises and office equipment data is up to date in VISION, ensuring coordination with Accounts Section, as required. Provides technical guidance to field offices on requirements pertaining to VISION related data.

3. Property Management – Capital Projects

- Review CAF submissions for capital projects, including all cost-sharing arrangements for accuracy and compliance, then make recommendations to Senior Management for decision.
- Review and evaluate submissions from field offices and UNCTs related to
- New premises acquisition (agreements, leases, purchase, construction)
- Renovation and fit-out proposals.
- Common Premises initiatives (agreements with governments and sister agencies).
- Residential and guesthouse facilities.
- Analyze feasibility studies, cost-benefit analyses, financial proposals, and business cases to determine optimal solutions on premises management.
- Review and advise on all Field Services administrative requests pertaining to premises management.

4. Construction & Project Support

 - Review and provide technical guidance on construction, renovation, and fit-out projects- This includes reviewing architectural and engineering drawings, technical specifications, BOQs, HLIPs, implementation strategies, risk mitigation plans.
 - Support project scheduling, supervision, and closeout activities, including defect liability and preventive maintenance.
 - Provide guidance on contracting, including TOR and tender documentation, and selection of construction/engineering teams.

5. Common Premises & Sustainability Initiatives

 - In the absence of the Manager, represent UNICEF in the UNDG/TTCP meetings. When required, represent Section at workshops and meetings on Common Premises.
 - Advice on UN common premises strategy and implementation, including review of technical documents, drawings, site selection and project planning.
 - Advice UNICEF offices on compliance with premises safety and security standards and ensuring overall staff wellbeing.
 - Coordinate with Eco Efficiency Team and support eco-efficiency and accessibility initiatives, including EDGE certification and solar leasing projects.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

  • Minimum requirements:
        1. Education: Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Architecture, Projects Evaluation and Management, Civil Engineering, Project Management, Property Management, Construction Management, Facilities Management or other related fields.
        2. Work Experience: Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience with international exposure in administrative support of property and/or construction projects is required.

        3. Skills: Strong analytical, financial review, project management, and interpersonal skills are required.
        4. Language Requirements: Proficiency in English is required. 

          Desirables
            1. Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.
            2. Experience: Combined experience in premises and construction, and in emergency and complex scenarios is an asset. Knowledge of UN standards, TTCP guidelines, accessibility, green building practices, and eco-efficiency initiatives are desirable.
            3. Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts. 

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships
(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
(3) Drive to achieve results for impact
(4) Innovates and embraces change
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity
(6) Thinks and acts strategically
(7) Works collaboratively with others

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments are conditional on the selected candidates willingness to comply with current or future vaccination requirements, should UNICEF mandate it for personnel. Failure to comply with such requirements, where applicable and without a duly approved medical exemption from the relevant UN authority, will result in the cancellation of the selection or may lead to other administrative measures, including separation from service.

Remarks:

As per 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.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants' bank account information.

In this role, you will collaborate with colleagues across multiple locations. For effective collaboration, we encourage flexible working hours that accommodate different time zones while prioritizing staff wellbeing.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF's Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

At Impactpool 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.