Chief of Section, Enterprise Programme Management Section

Job Posting Organization:
The Office of Information and Communications Technology (OICT) is a pivotal entity within the United Nations, dedicated to leading the digital transformation of the organization. Established to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the UN through innovative technology solutions, OICT aims to create a better, safer, and more sustainable future. The organization is committed to achieving gender balance and geographical diversity among its staff, actively encouraging female candidates to apply. OICT also promotes work-life balance and flexible work arrangements, reflecting its commitment to a supportive work environment.

Job Overview:
The Chief of Section in the Enterprise Programme Management Section (EPMS) plays a crucial role in guiding the strategic direction and operational management of the section. This position involves providing policy guidance to the Chief Information Technology Officer (CITO) and senior management on the implementation of administrative and financial frameworks. The Chief of Section is responsible for planning and overseeing the management of activities, ensuring that substantive work programs are executed in a timely manner while coordinating diverse projects. The role requires a strong focus on human resources, budgetary, and financial activities, ensuring that all outputs meet high-quality standards and comply with relevant mandates. The Chief of Section will also prepare inputs for work programs, manage performance parameters, and oversee recruitment processes to maintain geographical and gender balance within the team. This position demands a proactive approach to leadership, fostering teamwork and communication across organizational boundaries.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Chief of Section will undertake a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Providing policy guidance to the CITO and senior management on administrative and financial frameworks.
• Planning and overseeing the management of section activities, ensuring timely execution of work programs.
• Managing human resources, budgetary, and financial activities, including quality assurance reviews of drafts prepared by others.
• Supporting intergovernmental and expert bodies with substantive advice.
• Preparing budget/programme performance reports for intergovernmental bodies.
• Ensuring high-quality outputs from the section, meeting required standards before completion.
• Preparing inputs for work programs, determining priorities, and allocating resources.
• Carrying out administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the section, including budget preparation and performance monitoring.
• Recruiting staff while considering geographical and gender balance. 1
• Guiding, developing, and training staff under supervision. 1
• Managing financial resources, including cost recovery processes and monitoring expenditures. 1
• Fostering teamwork and communication among staff.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of ICT products and services, particularly in their application to support business processes and service delivery. A minimum of five years of experience in managing financial resources and developing budgetary policies is required, preferably within the United Nations or a similar international organization. Candidates should have experience in preparing intergovernmental documentation and advising senior officials on complex financial matters. Familiarity with ERP systems, such as SAP, is essential, along with experience in budget proposal preparation and defending these proposals to intergovernmental bodies. A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in administration, budget, finance, or related fields is required, with a preference for candidates who have experience in implementing change management initiatives.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, finance, or a related area is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. This educational background is essential to ensure that candidates possess the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to perform effectively in this role.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in administration, budget, finance, or related fields. At least five years of this experience should involve managing financial resources and developing budgetary policies within the context of the United Nations or a similar international organization. Experience in preparing intergovernmental documentation and advising senior officials on complex financial matters is also required. Familiarity with ERP systems, such as SAP, is essential, and candidates should have experience in budget proposal preparation and defending these proposals to intergovernmental bodies. Experience in implementing change management initiatives is desirable.

Languages:
English is required for this position, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level II in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. French is also a working language of the United Nations Secretariat, and while it is not mandatory for this position, proficiency in French may be considered an asset. Candidates should refer to the UN Language Framework for detailed language proficiency requirements.

Additional Notes:
This position is temporarily available for a duration of 364 days. If the selected candidate is already a staff member of the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, and all employment decisions are made based on qualifications and organizational needs. The organization does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, and candidates are encouraged to ensure that their applications are complete and accurate. The evaluation of candidates will include an assessment exercise followed by a competency-based interview.