Chief Administration, Division of Financial and Administrative Management

New York Headquarters

If you are a passionate and committed professional and want to make a lasting difference for children, the world’s leading children’s rights organization would like to hear from you.

Background

UNICEF’s mandate is to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. UNICEF operates in 162 countries and territories with 16 Headquarter Divisions (HQ), 7 Regional Offices (ROs) and 126 Country Offices (COs) and approximately 10,000 staff delivering a variety of programmes for the benefit of women and children. Depending on the development context or humanitarian emergency situation, these programmes can take the form of providing technical assistance; support personnel; cash assistance; essential supplies and equipment; and/or advocacy expertise

The UNICEF Comptroller is the Director of the Division of Financial and Administrative Management (DFAM).The role of DFAM is to safeguard the financial resources entrusted to UNICEF for the survival, development and protection of the world’s children by maintaining and improving financial and administrative systems and procedures to ensure efficient, cost-effective and transparent utilisation of these resources. DFAM is based in New York and operates with 111 staff, comprised of 50 International Professional staff and 61 General Service staff. The Division is divided into five Sections that carry out accounting and financial reporting, facilities management and administration, budgeting, cash and treasury management, and divisional coordination, liaison and management activities.

Timeframe

The consultancy is envisaged to run from 24 March 2014 for 2-3 months.

Terms of Reference

The incumbent will:

  • Manageand supervise the activities of the Administrative Management Section which encompasses three units: Field Services supporting country and regional office property & equipment management; Facilities Management which manages NY headquarters properties; and, Travel and General Services which provides NY Headquarters travel services as well as mail, diplomatic pouch and document reproduction. Provide advice to the Comptroller on matters pertaining to administrative issues including those related to UN Reform.
  • Serve as UNICEF’s Representative to all inter-agency working groups on administrative matters; represents UNICEF on UNDG working groups for Common Premises and Services. Conduct field missions to assess feasibility for common premises, as required. Chair the premises working group on a rotating basis.
  • Provide advice and support to country offices on asset management and administrative matters. Recommend and advise on common premises and services activities of the UNDGO. Provide advice and guidance to UNICEF regional and country staff, as necessary, on lease negotiations and property acquisition.
  • Provide overall direction on matters related to landlords relations and preservation of property and equipment for NY Headquarters. Based on planning assumptions, negotiates new and renewed leases as dictated by the current and projected needs of the organization remaining within the financial directives of the Comptroller.
  • Develop annual management plans for the unit and monitors progress against those plans. Monitor annual financial allotments administered by the section for services provided to NYHQ Divisions.

Certify expenditures and obligations against budget allotments. Administer the Capital Asset Fund (CAF) and makes recommendations for CAF allocations. Responsible for the safe- keeping and recording of property, plant and equipment in the NY area Headquarters locations. Serve as Secretary to the Property Survey Board (PSB) at NYHQ.

  • Develop, disseminate and interpret administrative policies, and procedures to establish and/or reinforce adherence to policies and procedures relating to functional areas. Make recommendations to senior management with respect to cost-effective implementation of UNICEF policies and procedures on administrative matters.
  • In collaboration with the United Nations Security and Safety Services, Division of Human Resources and the UNICEF Principal Security Adviser, ensure protection, security and safety of New York Headquarters premises. Member of the UNICEF Crisis Management Team.

Your Profile

If you have experience working in a similar capacity and want to make an active and lasting contribution to build a better world for children and match the profile outlines, send a detailed curriculum vitae in English, and a completed United Nations Personal History form (which can be downloaded from our website at ), quoting “Chief Admin” .

  • Advanced University degreeor equivalent professional qualification in the fields of Business Administration, Property Management and similar fields
  • Ten years of professional managerial experience at national and international levels especially in the area of facilities management and financial resources planning
  • Five years of experience in developing countries dealing with real estate and administrative areas preferred
  • Facilities management experience in New York City or other large urban location an advantage
  • Proficiency in oral and written communication in the English Language is essential
  • Proficiency in another UN language is advantageous
  • Demonstrated ability to carry out negotiations on contractual terms and conditions affecting the commitment of UNICEF’s resources is required
  • Communication skills with tact and diplomacy are vital especially in relation to the global responsibility of facilities managementand shared common premises
  • Ability to supervise and direct a team of international, professional, technical and support staff as well as specialized consultants. Proven ability to plan, manage and monitor the effective use and safekeeping of fixed assets and financial resources

Competencies required

  • Core Values (Required)
  • Commitment: Trustworthy and honours commitments; promotes equity, fairness, transparency, and diversity; treats others in a consistent and fair manner
  • Diversity and Inclusion: Promotes equity, fairness and diversity; Ability to deal with individuals from all backgrounds; sets example by exhibiting tolerance and respect towards others; proactive in ensuring fair and equitable treatment for all; willingness to challenge inequalities and inappropriate behaviour of individuals at all levels
  • Integrity and Commitment: Courageous and upholds the ethical standards of the Organization and of the international civil service in actions and deeds; words and actions are congruent
  • Core Competencies (Required)
  • Communication [III]
  • Drive for Result [III]
  • Working with People [III]
  • FunctionalCompetencies (Required)
  • Formulating Strategies and Concepts [III]
  • Analyzing [II]
  • Relating and Networking [III]
  • Deciding and Initiating Action [III]
  • Leading and Supervising [III]

UNICEF is committed to gender equality in its mandate and its staff. Well qualified candidates, particularly females are strongly encouraged to apply. Applications should be received by 17 February 2014. Acknowledgement will be sent to short listed candidates only.