Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. This post is located in UNEP’s Operations and Risk Management Unit, Corporate Services Division at the Nairobi duty station. Under the supervision of the Deputy Director Corporate Services Division, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities

A. Policy Development, Advisory Services, and Client Support

• Leads policy development and advises senior leadership on strategic management issues while ensuring coordinated, client-centric service delivery to UNEP Divisions, Regional Offices, Offices, UNEP administered Multilateral Environment Agreements (MEAs), other UNEP administered entities, with clear accountability mechanisms established.
• Executes the implementation and training to senior management on the updated Delegation of Authority frameworks that govern UNEP and UNEP administered MEAs in the areas of human resources, finance and budget, procurement, property management, legal instruments, partnerships and programme and project management. .
• Advises senior leadership on strategy, risk management, and operational decision-making, ensuring alignment with delegated authorities and accountability frameworks.
• Oversees the development of dashboards, key performance indicators, and reporting tools that enhance transparency and accountability.
• Maintains regular high-level engagement with UNEP Divisions, Regional Offices, Offices, UNEP administered MEAs, other UNEP administered entities to guide alignment with evolving UN Secretariat and UNEP administrative priorities, including authoritative support to Conferences of the Parties and subsidiary bodies.
• Leads efforts to strengthen knowledge management on administrative matters across UNEP Divisions, Regional Offices, Offices, UNEP administered MEAs other UNEP administered entities . B. Leadership and Integrated Operations Management
• Provides strategic leadership across administrative and operational functions, encompassing diverse areas of administration of Enterprise Risk and Audit Management, Facilities and Environmental Management, Asset Management, Travel, Archives and Records Management, driving efficient planning, execution, and strategic KPI establishment.
• Manages the roll out and training on Enterprise Risk Management to UNEP Divisions, Regional Offices, Offices, UNEP administered MEAs, other UNEP administered entities
• Coordinates internal Board of Auditors (BOA) and external Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) audits, Joint Inspection Unit evaluations and reviews sanctioned by member states (e.g. MOPAN, DEFRA)
• Coordinates UNEPs response to the Statement of Internal Control
• Liaises with UNEP Divisions, Regional Offices, Offices, UNEP administered MEAs, other UNEP administered entities , UNHQ, service providers and partners to support and ensure compliance with environmental, facilities, asset, archives and travel procedures and standards.
• Advises teams in streamlining policies and procedures, enhancing efficiency, and adopting best practices. C. Coordination, Representation, and Partnership Building
• Coordinates with UNEP Divisions, Regional Offices, Offices, UNEP administered MEAs, other UNEP administered entities , UNHQ, service providers and partners to ensure integrated service delivery.
• Strengthens collaboration across UN common systems, including in areas related to Common Back Offices, business operations strategies, and cross functional initiatives.
• Acts as a liaison with the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON), New York and other UN entities on issues related to operations including identifying best practices in administration models. D. Partnerships across UN system
• Strengthens partnerships across the UN system administration-related offices, represents UNEP in high-level forums including inter-agency collaboration mechanisms.
• Participates in inter-agency networks including travel, asset management, Enterprise Risk Management, Statement of Internal Control
• Provides inputs to reports and supports UNEP senior management at the High Level Committee on Management, ACABQ, Fifth Committee, Committee of Permanent Representative meetings
• Leads the preparation of policy briefs, analytical reports, strategic plans, and inputs for legislative bodies.
• Monitor compliance with UN rules and standards, ensuring robust internal controls and risk mitigation.
• E. Change Management, Service level agreements, Process Improvement, and Organizational Development
• Streamlines Standard Operating Procedures across all administrative and programme pillars to ensure ease of effective monitoring, reporting, compliance,
• Champions change management initiatives to enhance efficiency and innovation.
• Overseas, designs, negotiates and manages corporate level service level agreements with Service Providers including UN entities, partners and vendors
• Guides change management initiatives that support simplification of administrative processes.
• Promotes a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and client satisfaction across UNEP Divisions, Regional Offices, Offices, UNEP administered MEAs, other UNEP administered entities
• Identifies capacity building needs and lead training/knowledge sharing efforts to enhance staff competencies. F. Staff Management and Organizational Collaboration
• Manages and develops staff, promoting collaboration and a culture of continuous improvement across the Section
• Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision including evaluation of staff performance (PAS) and recruitment.
• Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Section and across organizational boundaries.
• Leads team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
• Ensures that staff can discover, access, integrate and share data needed to perform their duties.
• Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of the UN administrative field of work in general experience in the specific areas being supervised. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. PLANNING & 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. CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. 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. MANAGING PERFOMANCE: 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 (Masters degree or equivalent) in business or public administration, finance, accounting, law or other related areas is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Job – Specific Qualification

Supplementary training and/or professional certification in project management, public administration and supply chain management is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in at least three of the following areas; general administration, facilities management, environmental management, contract management, archives management, travel, risk management, audit liaison, management of service providers is required Demonstrated progressive five (5) years of experience within the United Nations System or similar international organization in developing, implementing, and monitoring frameworks for the management of delegated administrative decision-making authority at the corporate-wide level, across multiple organizational entities is required. At least five (5) experience in providing strategic/corporate-wide authoritative advice to senior officials on the delegation of authority and related accountability mechanisms including issuance of guidance documents and standard operating procedures with clear Key Performance Indicators, in coordination with multiple stakeholders and client entities is required. Demonstrated Experience within the United Nations System or similar international organization in designing, negotiating, and managing corporate-level Service Level Agreements (SLAs), including defining service catalogues, performance indicators (KPIs), targets, and escalation and remedial mechanisms is required. At least five (5) years of demonstrated experience with drafting reports, presentations, with data analytics for the United Nations System or similar international organization legislative bodies review (i.e. ACABQ and Fifth Committee) is required. At least two years experience with coordination and/or supporting the implementation of objectives for multilateral and international mechanisms established by UN or other intergovernmental bodies or related field, is desirable. At least five (5) years’ experience in administrative management and in the use of administrative modules of SAP or other similar ERPs and data analytical tools is desirable. At least five (5) years’ experience in UN management reform and common services initiatives is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area 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).

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 competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Appointment against this position is for a period of one year and may be subject to extension. External candidate selected for this position will be granted a fixed-term appointment limited (FTA-limited) in accordance with section 2.2 (b) of administrative instruction ST/AI/2013/1 on Administration of fixed-term appointments. Renewal of appointment is contingent upon continued existence of mandate and availability of funding. If this position is discontinued, the incumbent will be separated from service. United Nations Secretariat staff members who meet the definition of “internal candidate” in staff rule 4.10 who are selected for this position subject to limitation will retain their current appointment status and will be reassigned or transferred to the position, without a lien to their parent position. 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. Individual Contractors and Consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, are ineligible to apply for or be appointed to any professional and higher temporary or fixed term positions, within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. For such positions, at least six months need to have elapsed between the end of a consultancy or individual contract and the time of application and consideration for an appointment as a staff member under the Staff Rules and Regulations of the United Nations. The requirement is not applicable when a person considered for appointment is serving or has previously served as affiliated personnel (for example as a consultant, individual contractor, intern or gratis personnel) with a specialized agency or an Office, Fund or Programme such as UNHCR, UNICEF, UNDP or UNOPS which is separately administered and funded from voluntary contributions. When completing the PHP, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. 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. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira “Contact Us” link.

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 perpetrators 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.