Chief of Service (Chief, Specialized Desks), D1

This position is located within the Common Administrative Platform (CAP) at the United Nations Headquarters, referred to as the One Executive Office (“One EO”), under the Division of Administration (DOA) in the Department of Operational Support (DOS). One EO started its transition phase on 1 January 2026 as part of the UN80 reform initiative, which aims to consolidate common administrative functions across Secretariat entities into unified service platforms. One EO provides a full range of administrative and operational services required by New York-based Secretariat client entities to fulfil their mandates, including human resources management, financial administration, travel and general administrative support. The Chief of Service (Specialized Desks) reports to the Director of Administration, DOS.

Within limits of delegated authority, the Chief of Service (Specialized desks) will oversee the management of the multi-entity staff administration operations and activities undertaken by Specialized Desks, ensure that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion and co-ordinates work in the different areas both within the CAP OneEO and others as appropriate. The role combines strategic coordination, operational leadership, policy interpretation, data-driven decision-making, and staff management, while ensuring full compliance with the Organization’s Regulatory Framework. • Leads, supervises and contributes to the work outputs of the Service (Specialized Desks) under their responsibility including Talent Sourcing, Staff Administration, Affiliated Personnel, Travel and General Operations. • Co-ordinates and oversees the full range of human resources and administration-related activities among Specialized Desks and sub-units, including recruitment, onboarding, disbursement of entitlements and contract management and separation of staff members. Ensures optimal collaboration and efficiency for cohesive service delivery to the client entities. • Reports to the Director of Administration, Department of Operational Support on programme performance and programmatic/substantive issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in annual reports. • Ensures that the outputs produced by the Service (Specialized desks) under their supervision maintain high-quality standards. Ensures that all outputs produced by the Specialized Desks comply with the relevant operational procedures. • Assists the Director of Administration in preparing the work programme of the Service (Specialized Desks), determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery. Identifies potential management reviews of high sensitivity and complexity and directs the work of review teams through all stages. • Undertakes or oversees the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Service (Specialized Desks), reports to and advises senior management on budget, financial, human resources and general administration issues and practices of the Specialized Desks. • Leads data collection and analysis efforts and to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, and reporting related to human resources. Produces complex reports for management related to human resources. • Recruits staff, taking due account of geographical balance. • Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under their supervision. • Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Specialized Desks, Client Desks of the CAP and across organizational boundaries. • Leads and supervises the organization of meetings, seminars, etc. on substantive issues. Manages the substantive preparation and organization of such meetings or seminars. • Participates in weekly Directors’ meetings to provide advice on administrative, financial and human resources and administrative, financial and human resources matters as required and provides programmatic/substantive expertise on issues such as implementation of the information management system, CRM etc. • Represents the Service (Specialized Desks) at Division of Administration meetings.

Professionalism: Ability to provide specialized advice in a broad range of human resources management, financial, and administrative areas, to the Head of Department/Office and managers. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations and prepare reports or rationale with respect to key administrative decisions. 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. Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments. Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards. Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules. Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments. Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. 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. Leadership: 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 improvement; 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. Building Trust: Provides an environment in which others can talk and act without fear of repercussion. Manages in a deliberate and predictable way. Operates with transparency; has no hidden agenda. Places confidence in colleagues, staff members and clients. Gives proper credit to others. Follows through on agreed upon actions. Treats sensitive or confidential information appropriately.

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.

Not available.

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.

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview.

Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. Staff members appointed to the current position are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon assignment or appointment and annually thereafter. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Applicants, who successfully go through a competitive recruitment process and are recommended for selection and/or inclusion in the roster of pre-approved candidates for subsequent job openings at the same level and with similar functions, may have their application information and roster status shared with other UN Organizations. Such applicants may be contacted by other UN Organizations for similar job openings, subject to the confirmation of their interest. Placement on the roster is no guarantee of a future selection. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or under-represented in the UN Secretariat as of 28 February 2026, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, China (People's Republic of), Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Grenada, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu.

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places 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. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.