Chief of Section, Conference Services, Addis Ababa (P-5)

Posting Title: CHIEF OF SECTION, CONFERENCE SERVICES, P5

Job Code Title: CHIEF OF SECTION, CONFERENCE SERVICES

Department/ Office: Economic Commission for Africa

Duty Station: ADDIS ABABA

Posting Period: 9 September 2014-8 November 2014

Job Opening number: 14-CON-ECA-37223-R-ADDIS ABABA (R)

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Special Notice

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.Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfill the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover note.UNECA is committed to promoting geographical distribution and gender equality within its Secretariat. Women candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Organizational Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Conference Services Section (CSS), within the Division of Administration (DoA) of the Economic Commission for Africa (UN-ECA). This position is under the general supervision of the Director of Division of Administration.

Responsibilities

Plans and oversees the management of activities undertaken by the Conference Services Section; ensures availability (through the team of supervised staff) of conference related services; such as physical and general arrangements for meetings and activities; audio-visual services, in interpretation services, including establishment of requirements, staffing and management of interpreters roster(s); advising and liaising with security, protocol and transport, catering services, senior managers and clients on meeting requirementsManages, supervises and carries out the work programme of the Section. Coordinates the work carried out by the Section; provides programmatic and substantive guidance to the Section;Strategizes for upgrading and increased utilization of the Conference Centre by focusing on expanded usage by United Nations organizations, member States, intergovernmental organizations, national institutes and other bodies, accredited non-governmental organizations and private sector entities, where appropriate. This may include reviewing gaps in usage, designing a marketing plan and strategy, actively soliciting users, and other related tasks that will lead to the increased utilization of the United Nations Conference Centre-Addis Ababa;Provides policy guidance to the Director of Administration, on conceptual strategy development and management of the implementation of overall strategies and intra and inter-divisional/departmental policies and procedures related to managing the Conference Services Section;Contributes to the reporting to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance or on programmatic/ substantive issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports;Ensures that the outputs produced by the Section maintain high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. Ensures that all outputs produced by the Section under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates;Develops and manages inputs for the work programme of the Division, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery;Carries out programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Section, including preparation of budgets, assigning and monitoring of performance parameters and critical indicators, reporting on budget/programme performance, preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting, management and development of staff, and assessment of candidates for job openings;Monitors the Section's staffing requirements, and recruitment of staff for the Section taking due account of geographical and gender balance and other institutional values;Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision;Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Section and across organizational boundaries; andRepresents the Section/Division/Organization at inter-agency meetings, seminars, etc. on substantive-related issues.

Competencies

Professionalism: Good knowledge of the United Nations System, including the functioning of its various organs. Knowledge of administrative, budgetary, financial and human resources policies and procedures. Ability to apply various United Nations administrative rules and regulations in work situations. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis. Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations. 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.

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.

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.

Managing Performance: 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.

Judgement/Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in business or public administration 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.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in public/business administration or management, conference servicing, operations or related field is required. Experience in an international organization is required. Experience in organizing formal meetings and events is required. Experience coordinating several activities and events at once while managing staff from different functional teams is required.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in one of the working languages of the UN Secretariat, English or French, (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment Method

A competency based interview and/or assessment is required for this job opening.

United Nations Considerations

Job openings posted on the Careers Portal are taken off at midnight (New York time) on the deadline date.

Applications are automatically pre-screened according to the published evaluation criteria of the job opening on the basis of the information provided by applicants. Applications cannot be amended following submission and incomplete applications shall not be considered. The selected candidate will be subject to a reference checking process to verify the information provided in the application.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on 'The Application Process' and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on 'Manuals' on the upper right side of the browser on Inspira.

The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

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.

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