Chief of Service (Chief, Specialized Desks)

Organizational Context

This role is within the Common Administrative Platform (CAP) at UN Headquarters, part of the One Executive Office (One EO) under the Department of Operational Support (DOS). One EO is consolidating administrative functions as part of the UN80 reform, providing comprehensive administrative and operational services to New York-based Secretariat entities. The Chief of Service reports to the Director of Administration, DOS.

Job Purpose

The Chief of Service (Specialized Desks) oversees multi-entity staff administration operations, ensuring timely execution of programmed activities and coordinating work within CAP OneEO and other relevant areas. This role requires strategic coordination, operational leadership, policy interpretation, data-driven decision-making, and staff management, all while ensuring compliance with UN regulations. Key functions include leading talent sourcing, staff administration, affiliated personnel management, travel, and general operations. The position involves coordinating HR and administration activities across specialized desks, ensuring efficient service delivery to client entities, and reporting on programme performance to senior management. The role also involves preparing work programmes, allocating resources, and advising on budget, financial, and HR matters.

Responsibilities

Oversee multi-entity staff administration operations and activities for Specialized Desks, ensuring timely execution and coordination. Lead and supervise work outputs in Talent Sourcing, Staff Administration, Affiliated Personnel, Travel, and General Operations. Coordinate comprehensive HR and administration activities, including recruitment, onboarding, entitlements, contract management, and staff separation, ensuring efficient service delivery. Report on programme performance and substantive issues to the Director of Administration. Ensure high-quality outputs and compliance with operational procedures. Assist in preparing work programmes, setting priorities, and allocating resources. Undertake administrative tasks and advise senior management on budget, financial, and HR matters. Lead data collection and analysis for HR planning and reporting. Recruit staff with due regard for geographical balance. Manage, guide, develop, and train supervised staff. Foster teamwork and communication across units and organizational boundaries. Lead and supervise the organization of meetings and seminars. Participate in Directors’ meetings to provide expert advice on administrative and HR matters. Represent the Specialized Desks at Division of Administration meetings.

Work Experience

A minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in staff administration, including recruitment and benefits management within complex, multi-stakeholder environments is required. Five years of experience leading HR service delivery teams in a multicultural setting and five years of experience providing authoritative HR advice to senior management are also required. Experience in organizational reform and change management is necessary. Experience supporting global/decentralized operations and managing high-volume HR transactions is desirable.

Skills

Professionalism, Accountability, Client Orientation, Leadership, Building Trust, Strategic Coordination, Operational Leadership, Policy Interpretation, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Staff Management, Talent Sourcing, HR Administration, Financial Administration, Travel Management, General Operations, Recruitment, Onboarding, Contract Management, Reporting, Budget Management, Change Management, Team Leadership, Communication, Meeting Organization.

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