Deputy Executive Director (Management) (Assistant Secretary-General), Office of the Executive Director, New York

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications must be submitted to UNFPA via email at  UNFPAdedm@russellreynolds.com by Monday 9 October 2023 (midnight New York time).

This post is non-rotational.

Level: Assistant Secretary-General (ASG)

The Position:

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Deputy Executive Director (Management) (DED/M) together with the Deputy Executive Director (Programme) are the most senior members of the Executive Office of UNFPA. In support of UNFPA’s programmes and mandate, the DED/M strategically leads the organization to achieve operational excellence in all core management and operational functions, and humanitarian response. The portfolio includes the following functions: Finance, Information and Communication Technology, Human Resources, Procurement, Security, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, Change Management, and Humanitarian Response. The DED/M holds the rank of Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) and leads a team comprising three Directors at the D-2 level and three Offices headed by D-1. The DED/M provides strategic leadership and advice to the ED and, as applicable, leads UNFPA’s internal activities to ensure alignment with the Secretary-General’s reform agenda and also represents the Organization in inter-agency and other stakeholder fora.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. Our mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the International Conference on Population and Development programme of action and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Duties and responsibilities:

In support of UNFPA’s mandate and programmes, the DED/M is responsible for:

• Strategy: Proactively identify and contribute to defining UNFPA’s global strategic and operational priorities; develop appropriate coordination and consultation mechanisms to ensure management and operational priorities are consistent with program priorities and needs.
• Execution: Ensure operational effectiveness and accountability for results (i.e. that organizational resources are employed effectively and redeployed when necessary; guides and promotes the establishment of accountability systems which review activities and goals against strategies); strategically lead the organization’s  Finance, Information and Communication Technology, Human Resources, Procurement, Security, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, Change Management, and Humanitarian Response; ensure follow through on audit observations; track UNFPA’s performance relative to goals; report performance to the Executive Director, Executive Committee and Board.
• Team leadership: Ensure clarity in roles, accountability, and decision-making; hold managers in his/her division accountable for superior delivery in Finance, Information and Communication Technology, Human Resources, Procurement, Security, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, Change Management, and Humanitarian Response
• Collaboration within the UN system and beyond: Credibly represent the organization in senior, high level United Nations, International, inter-agency and or intergovernmental for a including the Executive Board, the United Nations Sustainable Development Group and the High Level committee on Management

Specifically with respect to each functional area:

• Finance: Ensure effective and efficient use of the organization's resources and stewardship of its assets, from the development of strategic integrated budgets through to statutory financial reporting in accordance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards
• Human Resources: Ensure the implementation of the UNFPA People strategy 2030 to build our workplace of the future, empower our people, promote mobility, and improve our efficiency and effectiveness.
• Information Technology Solutions: Ensure successful completion of the information systems/business transformation project, which includes an Enterprise Resource Planning system, processes and reporting at all levels to support a more agile organization.
• Supply Chain Management: Position the UNFPA procurement and supply chain management function strategically and ensure it contributes effectively to enhanced programme results. As Chief Procurement Official, exercise overall corporate oversight in respect of the UNFPA procurement function at all its locations.
• Security Coordination: Exercise oversight over security and business continuity management. 
• Change Management: Provide oversight and leadership to ensure substantive and operational coherence of the various change management initiatives and processes within UNFPA, including the New Way of Working and optimization of HQ architecture based on the outcome of the HQ Footprint Review.
• PSEA: As the dedicated focal point, ensure the coordination of PSEA activities within UNFPA across multiple stakeholders.
• Humanitarian response: Oversee UNFPA’s humanitarian response strategy, policies and implementation.  

In addition to the above, this role will take on any other duties, including representation as assigned by the Executive Director.

Qualifications and Experience:

Knowledge and experience

• The role demands stature and senior-executive level presence built on a successful track record in managing finance and corporate services at an international level in a highly complex, dynamic and rapidly changing institutional environment. Candidates should have extensive international experience with significant international insight, and the ability to build strong working relationships within an international/global operation.
• Candidates require extensive management experience and proven ability to manage a complex global portfolio in different areas of management, namely, Finance, Information and Communication Technology, Human Resources, Procurement, Security, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, and Change Management operations. Candidates will have successfully managed a large budget and operations plan and large multi-disciplinary teams of leaders and experts. Specifically, for this role, over 15 years of relevant professional experience in increasingly responsible roles is required, with several years in senior leadership positions overseeing organization-wide operations in more than one area of management listed above.
• Candidates require demonstrated communication, advocacy and outreach skills, experience in designing and leading organizational reform, development and change. Resource mobilization experience is a plus.
• Candidates should have experience building and managing relationships with UN agencies, governments and international funding institutions and aid organizations. Candidates should have a good knowledge of the international development system and/or experience working for large, service delivery-based aid agencies.
• Given the representative role of the DED/M to external stakeholders, candidates will be expected to demonstrate interest in and or knowledge and experience of UNFPA’s mandate areas. Experience in field and humanitarian settings and knowledge of and experience in the UN system is desirable.

Education:               

• An advanced university degree in Business, Public Administration/Management or related areas is required.

Languages:

• Excellent knowledge of English required; knowledge of other UN official languages, French and/or Spanish, highly desirable.

Required Competencies:

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity;
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system;
• Embracing cultural diversity;
• Embracing change.

Core Competencies: 

• Developing people/Coaching and mentoring & fostering innovation and empowerment;
• Self management/Emotional intelligence;
• Communicating information and ideas;
• Results Orientation/Commitment to Excellence;
• Appropriate and transparent decision making;
• Analytical and strategic thinking and Results orientation/Commitment to excellence;
• Knowledge sharing/Continuous learning;
• Working in teams.

Functional Competencies:

• Global leadership and advocacy;
• Client orientation;
• Organizational leadership and direction;
• Global leadership and advocacy for ICPD goals;
• Ensuring Operational Effectiveness & Accountability for Results;
• External and internal communication and advocacy for results mobilization.

Managerial Competencies:

• Providing strategic vision and focus;
• Engaging internal / external partners and stakeholders;
• Leading, developing and empowering people / creating a culture of performance;
• Making decisions and exercising judgment.

Human Rights Screening 

In accordance with the policy for the nomination of candidates, the Secretariat wishes to outline that it is the responsibility of the nominating Government to ensure that each candidate it nominates has not been convicted of or is not currently under investigation or being prosecuted for any criminal offence, or any violation of international human rights law or international humanitarian law.  In the case of nominees who have been investigated for, charged with or prosecuted for any criminal offence but were not convicted, the nominating Government is requested to provide information regarding the investigation(s) or prosecutions concerned.  The nominating Government is also requested to certify that it is not aware of any allegations against its nominated candidates that they have been involved, by act or omission, in the commission of any acts that amount to violations of international human rights law or international humanitarian law. 

Individuals who are either nominated by Member States or who seek to serve with the United Nations in any individual capacity will be required, if short‑listed, to complete a self-attestation stating that they have not committed, been convicted of, nor prosecuted for, any criminal offence and have not been involved, by act or omission, in the commission of any violation of international human rights law or international humanitarian law.

Conflicts of interest screening 

All United Nations staff members are expected to uphold the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity.  Senior leaders in particular, have the responsibility to serve as role models in upholding the organization’s ethical standards. 

A conflict of interest occurs when, by act or omission, a staff member's personal interests interfere with the performance of his/her official duties and responsibilities, or call into question his/her integrity, independence and impartiality.  Risk for conflicts of interest may arise from a staff member's engagement in outside (non-UN) employment or occupation; outside activities, including political activities; receipt of gifts, honours, awards, favours or remuneration from external (non-UN) sources; or personal investment.  In particular, no staff member shall accept any honour, decoration, favour, gift or remuneration from any Government (staff regulation 1.2 (j)). 

Where a real or perceived conflict of interest does arise, senior leaders are obligated to disclose this to the organization without delay.  In order to avoid real or perceived family influence or preferential treatment and conflicts of interest that could stem from such situations, the UN Staff Rules provide that appointments “shall not be granted to anyone who is the father, mother, son, daughter, brother or sister of a staff member” (staff rule 4.7 (a)). 

Short-listed individuals will also be required to complete the pre-appointment declaration of interests for senior positions to identify possible conflicts of interest that may arise and to proactively prevent and manage, as much as possible and in a timely manner, situations in which personal interests may conflict or appear to conflict with the interests of the United Nations, should the individual be appointed to this position.

UNFPA Work Environment

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus cost of living adjustment, rental subsidy, education grant, home leave, health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity.

Disclaimer:

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Fraudulent notices, letters or offers may be submitted to the UNFPA fraud hotline http://www.unfpa.org/help/hotline.cfm

In accordance with the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations, persons applying to posts in the international Professional category, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.