Chief, Central Support Division

Vacancy Announcement

Chief, Central Support Division, P-5,

HQ Amman

Deadline for Applications

3 October 2017

(19 September 2017 for internal applicants)

Duration

2 years, with the possibility of further extension, subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory performance and continuing need.

Vacancy Announcement Number

17-AM-HQ-47

UNRWA encourages applications from qualified women and welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities.

UNRWA, the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East with over 30,000 staff

 working across five areas of operation, is looking for professionals like you.

UNRWA’s strategic objectives

UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations and individual contributions. The mission of UNRWA is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development under the difficult circumstances in which they live. In line with this mission, the Agency works towards five strategic outcomes: (a) Palestine refugee rights under international law are protected and promoted; (b) Palestine refugee health is protected and disease burden is reduced; (c) school-age children complete quality, equitable and inclusive basic education; (d) Palestine refugee capabilities are strengthened for increased livelihood opportunities; and (e) Palestine refugees are able to meet their basic human needs of food, shelter and environmental health.

Do you want to make a lasting difference? 

If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference for one of the most vulnerable communities in the world, UNRWA would like to hear from you. In this role, you will have the opportunity to act as the principal advisor to the Deputy Commissioner-General and Directors on issues related to procurement and logistics, transport and asset management and general and administrative services and administrative support to the Legal Office for Staff Assistance.

The main responsibilities include:

•         Direct and provide effective leadership for the division; evaluate progress and performance; ensure exchange of information, experience and learning; develop new strategies and identify courses of action to accelerate/improve delivery of central service support; develop and establish work plans for division staff; monitor compliance with the same and ensures that the needs of the division are met in terms of staff requirements, budgeting and financial control;

•         Lead and provide advice and support with regard to procurement, management throughout the Agency, including the issuance of policies, manuals, tools and guidelines; provide support and oversight for the Agency’s procurement framework; coordinate and provide guidance to the Procurement Services Section as well as Field Offices; oversee the development of procurement plans; ensure appropriate up-to date strategic and tactical advice to Field Office staff to effect efficient procurement, clearance, storage and distribution of supplies and equipment in support of the Agency's programme implementation;

•         Clearance of High Value Contracts: Act as the focal point for review and clearance of all Agency high value contracts as defined in the procurement manual, in coordination with the Advisory Committee on Procurement, follow up on questions or queries raised and ensures prompt and accurate reporting of contracts cleared on a quarterly and annual basis;

•         Asset Management: Lead and provide advice and support with regard to transport and assets management, maintenance and reporting throughout the Agency, including the issuance of policies, manuals, tools and guidelines; provide support and oversight for the Agency’s transport and asset management  framework; coordinate and provide guidance to the Transport and Assets Management Section as well as Field Offices; oversee the development of replacement plans, approves acquisition of vehicles; ensure appropriate up-to date strategic and tactical advice to Field Office staff to effect efficient transport and asset management, maintenance and reporting;

•         Supply Chain Compliance and Policy Management: Provide advice and guidance to this section dealing with issues of Audit, REACH support (first line support, delegations of authority, item master coding, vendor management, CR management, reporting), Integration issues with related supply chain IT systems, audit management and reporting, stock take management. This section is the custodian of all Division policies and governance documents and is responsible for developing and implementing changes to the Agencies CSS policies;

•         General Administrative Services: Coordinate and provide guidance on general support services at HQ Amman, HQ Jerusalem and HQ Gaza including but not limited to: Travel and Protocol Services management, e-UNLP management, courier services, headquarters transport management, mail and pouch, central records and archive management, Archive and Production Services in addition to other facilities management and maintenance, international staff entitlements management, telephone billing, utilities management; provide advice to the Field  Offices on matters falling within the purview of CCSD. Provides central management of related IT systems including e-Billing, Travel Management;

•         Provide administrative support to the Legal Office for Staff Assistance including guidance on governance, reporting and staffing and budget arrangements;

•         Serve as a member of committees as appropriate; represent UNRWA in various inter-agency fora, as applicable; Serve as Agency focal point for the UN’s Greening of the UN efforts; Conduct field visits to assess service efficiency, identify problems and institute remedial measures.

Conditions of service 

UNRWA offers an attractive compensation package including annual salary starting at $84,721 net tax free with post adjustment of 36.4% (subject to change without notice). All UNRWA duty stations (with the exception of Gaza and Syria) are family duty stations. Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include:

•  Dependency allowances

•  Rental subsidy

•  Education grant for children

•  Home leave travel

•  6 weeks (30 working days) annual leave

•  Pension fund entitlements under the

    UN Joint Staff Pension Fund

•  International health insurance; optional

    life insurance

•  Disability protection

Additional information

Fitness to travel to arduous duty stations and a full driving license are expected

To qualify for this position, you will need:

Education

•      Advanced university degree in business administration, supply chain management, procurement or other relevant subject; a first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

•      Related professional qualifications in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Project Management are desirable.

Work

experience

At least 10 years of relevant, wide ranging and progressive experience of which 3-5 years should have been with UN, governmental or international agencies, including 5 years at a senior managerial level;

Language(s)

 Excellent command of written and spoken English; Knowledge of colloquial Arabic is an asset.

You will also need to demonstrate the following competencies:

•         Leading and Supervising

•         Planning and Organizing

•         Applying Technical Expertise

•         Formulating Strategies and Concepts

•         Creating and Innovating

For guidance on how to prepare for competency-based interviews:

            https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=AYI

How to apply

To start the application process, applicants are required to register at http://jobs.unrwa.org by creating a personal profile and completing UNRWA Personal History Form. Only applications received through http://jobs.unrwa.org will be considered. Due to the large number of applications received for UNRWA vacancies, only applicants short-listed for interview will be contacted. The United Nations does not charge fees at any stage of the recruitment process. The United Nations does not concern itself with information related to bank accounts.

General information

UNRWA staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, neutrality and impartiality at all times. This includes respect for and commitment to human rights, diversity, and non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNRWA jobs. UNRWA is a non-smoking work environment.

The retirement age for staff entering or re-entering service in the UN Common System after 1 January 1990 is 62 and 65 after 1 January 2014. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete a term of appointment will normally be considered.

The Agency reserves the right not to make an appointment, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description.

Date of issue: 6 September 2017/NH