Driver, LACRO , Panama City, Panama, GS-3, TA

The Position:

The post of Driver is located in UNFPA Regional Office and reports to the Regional Director and works in close collaboration with the Personal Assistant to the Regional Director.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering 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 ICPD and 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.

Job Purpose:

The Driver provides reliable and safe driving services to the Representative, Deputy Representative, and other high-ranking UN officials and visitors ensuring the highest standards of discretion and integrity, sense of responsibility, and excellent knowledge of protocol and security issues. The Driver also demonstrates a client-oriented approach, courtesy, confidentiality, tact and ability to work with people of different national and cultural backgrounds. 

Upon the request of the supervisor, the Driver can be also required to provide driving services to the operations and programme staff in the RO or SRO, consultants and experts and UN staff on mission, but this will not be the predominant function of the post.

You would be responsible for:

• Ensures provision of reliable and safe driving services by a) driving office vehicles for the transport of UNFPA Representative, other high-ranking officials and visitors and delivery and collection of mail, documents and other items, and b) meeting official personnel and visitors at the airport including visa and customs formalities arrangement when required;
• Keeps abreast of traffic and road and security and safety awareness to enable safe and on time arrival for meetings;
• Ensures cost-savings through proper use of vehiclethrough accurate maintenance of daily vehicle logs, provision of inputs to preparation of the vehicle maintenance plans and reports; 
• Ensures proper day-to-day maintenance of the assigned vehicle through timely minor repairs, arrangements for major repairs, timely changes of oil, check of tires, brakes and water levels, car washing, etc so that the vehicle is kept clean and in good running condition at all times; 
• Ensures proper use of vehicle maintenance plans and assistance in preparing vehicle history report; 
• Ensures availability of all the required documents/supplies including vehicle insurance, vehicle registration, vehicle logs, office directory, map of the city/country, first aid kit, necessary spare parts in the assigned vehicle;
• Keeps track of insurance and other tax formalities; 
• Ensures that the steps required by rules and regulations are taken in case of involvement in an accident; 
• When necessary, translates in local language for the official personnel using the car; 
• Provides guidance and coaching to junior drivers as necessary; 
• Assists office staff in filing, photocopying and maintaining stores when required.  Assists in the mailing and distribution of newsletters and publications and arranges to pay office telephone and other bills, as required. 

Carry out any other duties as may be required by UNFPA leadership. 

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

Completed Secondary Level Education
 Knowledge and Experience: 

• Valid driver’s license.
• Three years of work experience as a driver in an international organization, embassy or UN system with a safe driving record.
• Knowledge of driving rules and regulations, chauffeur protocol and courtesies, and local roads and conditions, and defensive driving skills
• Skill in minor vehicle repairs

Languages: 

Fluency in Spanish is required. English working knowledge. Other official UN languages, preferably French and Portuguese, are desirable. 

Required Competencies: 

Values:

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

Core Competencies: 

•    Achieving results,
•    Being accountable,
•    Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
•    Thinking analytically and strategically,
•    Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,
•   Communicating for impact
   

Functional Competencies:

• Providing logistical support
• Managing data
• Managing documents, correspondence, and reports
• Managing information and workflow
• Planning, organizing, and multitasking
  
  Compensation and Benefits:

 This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

UNFPA Work Environment:

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. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.