Chief of Service (Chief, Specialized Desks), D1

The Chief of Service (Specialized Desks) leads and manages multi-entity staff administration operations within the Common Administrative Platform at the United Nations Headquarters. The role involves strategic coordination, operational leadership, policy interpretation, data-driven decision-making, and staff management to ensure compliance with the Organization’s Regulatory Framework and efficient service delivery to client entities.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the management of multi-entity staff administration operations and activities undertaken by Specialized Desks.
• Ensure programmed activities are carried out timely and coordinate work within CAP OneEO and other relevant areas.
• Lead, supervise and contribute to the work outputs of the Service (Specialized Desks) including Talent Sourcing, Staff Administration, Affiliated Personnel, Travel and General Operations.
• Coordinate and oversee human resources and administration-related activities among Specialized Desks and sub-units including recruitment, onboarding, entitlements disbursement, contract management, and separation of staff.
• Report to the Director of Administration on programme performance and substantive issues.
• Ensure outputs produced maintain high-quality standards and comply with operational procedures.
• Assist in preparing the work programme, determining priorities, and allocating resources for timely delivery.
• Identify potential management reviews of high sensitivity and direct review teams.
• Undertake or oversee programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for functioning of the Service and advise senior management on budget, financial, human resources and general administration issues.
• Lead data collection and analysis for data-driven planning, decision-making, and reporting related to human resources.
• Recruit staff considering geographical balance.
• Manage, guide, develop and train staff under supervision.
• Foster teamwork and communication among staff in Specialized Desks and across organizational boundaries.
• Lead and supervise organization of meetings, seminars on substantive issues.
• Participate in weekly Directors’ meetings providing advice on administrative, financial and human resources matters.
• Represent the Service (Specialized Desks) at Division of Administration meetings.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent degree) in business or public administration, human resources, law 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.
• A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in staff administration, including recruitment, and management of benefits and entitlements in a complex organization with multi-stakeholder environments is required.
• A minimum of five years of experience in leading a team delivering Human Resource (HR) services in a multicultural setting is required.
• A minimum of five years of experience providing authoritative HR advice to senior managers on the application and interpretation of staff rules, regulations, and HR policies is required.
• Experience in developing and implementing organizational reform and change management initiatives in multi-stakeholder environments is required.
• Experience supporting global and decentralized operations (e.g., regional and field/country offices or similar) is desirable.
• Experience in leading a team handling a high-volume of HR transactions is desirable.
• English is required at UN Level III proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
• French is desirable at UN Level II proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

Skills

• Staff Administration
• Recruitment Management
• Entitlements Management
• Human Resource Services Leadership
• Multicultural Team Leadership
• HR Policies Interpretation
• Staff Rules Application
• Organizational Reform
• Change Management
• Stakeholder Coordination
• Global Operations Support
• Decentralized Operations Management
• High-volume HR Transactions
• Strategic Coordination
• Operational Leadership
• Data Driven Decision Making
• Regulatory Compliance

Languages

English, French