CHIEF OF BRANCH, PROGRAMME

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Resident Coordinator System Business Management Branch, United Nations Development Coordination Office (UNDCO) in New York. In its Resolution A/RES/72/279, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed the transformation of the Development) as a stand-alone coordination office within the United Nations Secretariat, namely the Development Coordination Office (DCO). DCO now assumes managerial and oversight functions of the resident coordinator system under the collective ownership of the members of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG).

The Resident Coordinator system is focused on the advancement of sustainable development, leaving no one behind, and with the eradication of poverty in all its forms and dimensions as an overarching objective, consistent with the integrated nature of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The incumbent reports to the Deputy of the Assistant Secretary-General, UNDCO.

Responsibilities

The Chief, Resident Coordinator (RC) System Business Management Branch is responsible for the provision of strategic oversight, direction and advice to UNDCO senior management on operations for UNDCO Headquarters and the RC System at the regional and country level. S/he will elicit a client-oriented and service delivery approach. As such the incumbent is entrusted, within delegated authority, with the following responsibilities:

• Leads, supervises and carries out the work of the RC System Business Management Service Branch: Human Resources, Budget/Finance and Global RC System Operations and General Administration. Ensures the provision of daily business services support to UNDCO HQs, Regional Desks and RC offices.
• Oversees the strategic managerial oversight of the UNDCO including monitoring and implementation of strategic plans and reporting to the GA, ensures set-up of required planning and reporting systems.
• Coordinates and oversees the agreements with other UN entities for operational services to UNDCO.
• Provides strategic advice to UNDCO senior management for RC System on budgeting, financial, procurement, human resources and general administration issues and specifically for UNDCO work planning, budgeting and monitoring, including for ACABQ and 5th Committee reporting.
• Ensures that operational services provision is fully in line with the needs of the organization and the strategic objective of a strengthened UNDCO management and administration
• Defines problems and identifies solutions to be addressed by management; directs the work of review teams through all stages.
• Liaises, maintains and manages relationship with member agencies of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG), as well the Secretariat, funds and programmes.
• Coordinates the support to the implementation of Business Operations Strategies (BOS) to help optimize UN operational activities at the county level by eliminating duplication and by leveraging economies of scale and comparative advantages.
• Coordinates and manages the full range of human resources administration issues for the Resident coordinator system and UNDCO, ensuring that requirements of staff and managers in the field and Headquarters are met.
• Manages financial aspects during the preparation of RC System and UNDCO budget plans and provides guidance to senior management on financial implications of strategic options.
• Serves as Fund Manager of the global funds for UN coordination under UNDCO fiduciary responsibility, including the UNDG (UN Development Group) Cost Sharing Agreement (UNDG CSA); the UN Coordination Fund and all related funding sources/initiatives (e.g. UN/World Bank Partnership Trust Fund). Oversees the donor agreements and ensures proper implementation.
• Reports to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance or on programmatic/ substantive issues, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports.
• Manages the UNDG Cost Sharing Agreement including its implementation, financial oversight, and reporting. Ensures proper financial planning and related communications.
• Co-ordinates and oversees the preparation of reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budget Questions (ACABQ), General Assembly and other policy-making organs.
• Ensures implementation of internal control framework and the observation of applicable financial rules and regulations of the UN Secretariat.
• Oversees budget presentations and management of relationship with legislative bodies.
• Contributes to the development and implementation of policies, procedures, standards and tools that are consistent with UN policy and practice to ensure proper accounting financial management and control of UNDCO's overall resources and assets.
• Oversees internal financial reporting and responses to internal and external audit observations in compliance with financial rules and regulations.
• Oversees planning, organization and implementation of administrative support services to field and headquarters operations.
• Oversees the provision of procurement and information management platforms services to the field and Headquarters, ensuring the identification, evaluation, and prioritization and management of risk factors derived from these services.
• Manages the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Branch including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, evaluation of staff performance (EPAS), interviews of candidates for job openings, evaluation of candidates and preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting.
• Recruits staff, taking due account of geographical balance.
• Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision.
• Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Branch across organizational boundaries.
• Leads and supervises the organization of meetings, seminars, etc. on substantive issues. Manages the substantive preparation and organization of such meetings or seminars.
• Represents UNDCO at international, regional or national meetings on operational matters as delegated by the ASG.
• Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of the substantive field of work in general and of specific areas being supervised. Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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 degree) in business or public administration, finance, accounting, law, social sciences or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in human resources management, administration, logistics, financial management, budget or related area, of which 10 years serving in a leadership role in international positions (not in one's own country) is required.

A minimum of five years of management experience in operations management in a development cooperation context is required.

A minimum of five years of management experience with inter-agency or inter-organizational collaboration in the development sector is required.

A minimum of five years of field experience in development cooperation is required.

Experience with financial management and reporting on funds in the context of development is desirable.

Experience overseeing programmatic and administrative tasks necessary to the functioning of a large work unit is desirable.

Experience in managing large multicultural teams at country, regional and global levels is desirable.

Experience in the United Nations system or a comparable international organization is desirable.

Experience working at the headquarters of a development cooperation agency is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another official UN language is an advantage.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

This position is available for an initial period of one year. Extension of appointment is subject to the availability of funds.

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.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance 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. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.