Org. Setting and ReportingThe mandate of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is to promote sustainable and inclusive development and regional connectivity in the Asian and Pacific region. ESCAP’s role as a regional development arm of the United Nations Secretariat is to support its membership with policy oriented research and analysis, normative support and technical assistance and capacity building, to respond to the development priorities and changing needs of the Asian and Pacific region. This position leads the Division of Administration, managing holistic administrative services and operational areas including procurement, human resources, finance, facilities management and central support services, conference services management, information technology services among others. Other activities of the Division include acting as a service provider to other UN entities in Asia and Pacific, overseeing the real estate and host country agreements of ESCAP premises, and administration of the United Nations Medical and Occupational Safety and Health services. This position is located in the Division of Administration. The incumbent reports to the Executive Secretary. ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Director of Administration is responsible for the effective, efficient and systematic management and delivery of all administrative support services required by ESCAP and client entities, enabling efficient and cost-effective mandate delivery. and ensuring adherence to established UN regulations, rules, policies and procedures in all operational areas. Under the direct supervision of the Executive Secretary, the incumbent is required to perform the following functions: • Provides strategic advice to the Executive Secretary on the integrated management of ESCAP’s financial, human, and physical resources, in alignment with current UN Secretariat reform initiatives, including efforts to modernize planning, budgeting, and talent management. Supports senior leadership in driving data-informed administrative decision-making and in implementing streamlined, future-fit service delivery models. Leads the development and operationalization of robust resource and asset management frameworks that uphold fiduciary integrity while enabling organizational agility and innovation under the UN 2.0 framework. • Develops strategies, processes and procedures that ensure strategic and cost effective management of the administrative services of the following sections and units: human resources management; financial services; procurement; information and communications technology services; conference services management; real estate management and central support services; travel, transport, and host country relations. • Prepares major reports for senior management and UN legislative bodies, inclusive of the General Assembly and ACABQ, provides guidance in related areas including strategic planning, management policies, processes, rules and regulations including for enterprise risk management, business continuity and operational resilience and manages internal and external audits, including timely responses and implementation of audit and oversight evaluation recommendations. • Develops cost plans and containment strategies for the division, monitors expenditures to ensure that they remain within authorized levels; provides guidance and direction on financial and resource planning and effective utilization. • Provides supervision and policy advisory services and guidance to all areas under the Division and in support of the Commission's work. Promotes organization-wide reform policies and initiatives, supports forward-looking responsibilities related to ongoing reform efforts under UN 80 (consolidation, efficiency agenda, Common Administrative Platform), UN 2.0, and other relevant initiatives, and leads impactful results through inter-agency coordination and active engagement with the Thailand Operations Management Team (OMT) and the Regional OMT (R-OMT). • Ensures that the outputs produced by the Division maintain high quality standards and ensures that production and service standards are met; implements innovative strategies such as the environmental management system (EMS) in support of sustainable business operations, business automation and innovation, and service management portfolios for Secretariat and other UN System clients by organizing and directing operational activities of the Division with the objective of continuous upgrading of divisional staff capacity and services. • Leads, supervises and carries out the work of the Division, ensuring that work in the different areas is coordinated both within the Division and other Divisions, and with other organizations of the United Nations System, as appropriate. • Manages, guides, develops, and trains staff under his/her supervision. • Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Division and across organizational boundaries. • Performs other related duties as required. CompetenciesCore Competencies: Professionalism: Ability to provide specialized advice in a broad range of human resources management, financial, real estate management and administrative areas to senior management. Ability to prepare reports with respect to key administrative decisions. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies, and guidelines in work situations and prepare reports or rational with respect to key administrative decisions. Demonstrated ability in handling complex organizational issues at the international level. 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 and direction of the Organization; 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. Managerial competencies: Leadership: Provides strategic and innovative leadership; collaborates to ensure operational strategies support the programme of work appropriately; 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. Judgment/decision making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; proactively seeks and recommends sound policy guidance; 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 that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in management, business administration, public administration, human resources, finance, or related field is required. A relevant first-level university degree in the above fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience in various areas of administration, such as financial services and budgeting, human resources, real estate management, information technology services, supply chain management, conference services, central support services or related field is required. Demonstrated experience in leading large, multi-functional administrative teams (e.g., HR, finance, procurement, general services) in complex, decentralized environments is required. Prior experience working in the UN Common system or other international organizations, with a deep understanding of UN administrative rules, policies, and reform agendas (e.g., UN 2.0, Common Administrative Platform) is desirable. Experience in contributing to UN reform initiatives, including direct involvement in the preparatory work and/or implementation of the Business Operations Strategy (BOS), Common Back Office (CBO), and Common Premises (CP) is desirable. Experience in introducing or managing automation, ERP systems (e.g., Umoja, SAP), or data-driven decision-making tools in administrative operations is desirable. Proven experience in administrative leadership during emergencies or special events, including implementation of business continuity measures, maintenance of staff safety, and surge support is desirable. A minimum of two (2) years of experience in leading UN interagency initiatives related to the provision of administrative services is desirable. Demonstrated experience with international standards in financial (IPSAS), procurement, human resources and other administrative areas is desirable. LanguagesEnglish 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).