Travel Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as a response to the United Nations General Assembly's call for a dedicated entity to promote gender equality and empower women. The organization is grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and focuses on eliminating discrimination against women and girls, empowering women, and achieving equality between women and men. UN Women operates globally, with a mission to support the implementation of international standards and commitments on gender equality and women's empowerment. The organization collaborates with various stakeholders, including governments, civil society, and the private sector, to advance gender equality and women's rights across multiple countries.

Job Overview:
The Travel Specialist position at UN Women is a critical role that involves facilitating the implementation and continuous improvement of travel systems and processes within the organization. The incumbent will work under the supervision of the Chief of Procurement and Travel Services, focusing on ensuring compliance with the Duty Travel Policy and enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of travel arrangements. The Travel Specialist will provide authoritative guidance to various divisions and offices, ensuring consistent interpretation and application of travel-related procedures. This role also emphasizes the modernization of travel services through the use of innovative technologies, data analytics, and user-centered design, contributing to UN Women's commitment to accountability and service delivery. The position requires collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, including travel management companies and auditors, to optimize travel operations and support the organization's operational needs.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Travel Specialist will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including providing policy guidance on duty travel management, ensuring compliance with UN Women’s Duty Travel Policy, and advising senior management on travel-related policy implications. The incumbent will draft guidance materials, oversee global travel operations, and manage travel transactions, ensuring adherence to service-level standards. Additionally, the Travel Specialist will promote the integration of policy requirements into digital workflows, contribute to the modernization of travel guidance, and ensure that high-risk travel is handled in alignment with security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security requirements. The role also involves managing the Virtual Travel Hub, providing oversight to a team of travel professionals, and ensuring high-quality travel support. The Travel Specialist will develop and maintain travel analytics dashboards, conduct trend analyses, and deliver training programs for staff on travel systems and policies.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Public Administration, Information Technology, Finance, Logistics, Travel Management, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Travel, IATA, or GDS certifications are considered an asset. The position requires strong analytical skills, knowledge of UN travel rules, and the ability to manage risk and advise on complex travel cases. Excellent drafting, communication, and training delivery skills are essential, along with strong IT literacy and familiarity with travel systems and ERP environments.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree in relevant fields such as Business Administration, Public Administration, Information Technology, Finance, Logistics, or Travel Management. A first-level university degree may be accepted with additional qualifying experience. Certifications in travel management or related areas are advantageous and enhance the candidate's profile.

Experience:
A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in travel management, travel operations, or related administrative services is required. Candidates should have experience in policy interpretation, advisory services, and travel compliance oversight. Familiarity with ERP systems and travel booking platforms is essential, along with experience in delivering training or capacity-building programs. Supervisory experience or experience leading a team is desirable, as is experience working within the UN system and understanding UN security travel requirements.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of additional languages such as French or Spanish is desirable and can enhance a candidate's qualifications for the role.

Additional Notes:
The Travel Specialist position is a full-time role that involves managing a team and providing strategic guidance within the Virtual Travel Hub. The position may require participation in inter-agency activities and collaboration with other UN agencies. The role emphasizes a commitment to diversity and inclusion, and candidates are expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and standards of conduct. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy on misconduct and emphasizes the importance of ethical behavior in all operations.