The Position:
This position is located in the Facilities and Administrative Services Branch (FASB) within the Division for Management Services (DMS). FASB provides and oversees a broad range of support services relating to facilities and asset management, travel, mail & pouch and administrative/general services for both Headquarters and Field Offices. The term Field Offices includes all offices located outside of Headquarters including Regional/Sub-Regional Offices, Liaison Offices and Country Offices. The incumbent reports directly to the Chief of the Branch and supervises 2 Professional and 4 General Service staff.
The incumbent maintains professional contacts with staff at UNFPA-Headquarters, Development Coordination Office (DCO), UNDP and other agencies together with field based colleagues. Provides professional support, analyses, clarification, and information and maintains regular contact with staff, within and outside the Organization as may be required.
How you can make a difference:
UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organizationโs response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.ย
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 who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact and sustained results and ensure effective external relations, communications, and partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results.ย
Job Purpose:
Reporting to the Chief of the Facilities and Administrative Services Branch, the Section Chief provides leadership and supervision in the areas of Facilities and Asset Management globally.
The primary roles are specifically:
a) ย Formulate and implement a comprehensive strategy to optimize, develop, and maintain UNFPAโs office premises;
b) ย Endorse and coordinate Field Office relocations/alterations/renovations/constructions;
c) ย Develop and implement relevant policies and procedures;
d) ย Represent UNFPA as required on various inter-agency working groups, specifically in the UNSDG Task Team on Common Premises (TTCP);
e) ย Coordinate financial data related to fixed assets and leases;
f) ย Oversee and manage the asset management and lease management function.
You would be responsible for:
a) ย Provide strategic guidance and leadership in the area of facilities management
- Develop and maintain, with the assistance of a team of professionals and specialists, a comprehensive set of policies and procedures for the area of facilities management.
- Interpret, provide guidance and monitor compliance with all such policies and procedures.
- Identify needs for new or modified policies and procedures; review and initiate action as may be required.
- Oversee and ensure an accurate and up to date database of all UNFPA premises.
b) ย Development and implementation of a UNFPA strategy for all facilities/premises
- Monitor and review facilities/premises needs for UNFPA Field Offices and HQ and provide solutions in order to ensure cost effective, efficient and adequate UNFPA premises.
- Develop and implement norms and standards for all UNFPA Offices, taking into account developments at the inter-agency level.
- Review and endorse Field Office requests for relocation and/or alterations/renovation/construction works if it is determined to be in the interest of UNFPA.
- Analyze pros and cons of Field Office moves and advise Field Offices accordingly.
- Advise Field Offices on UNFPA norms & standards and their application.
- Manage, coach, and advise the Space Planner and Facilities Management Associates (Field Offices and HQ)ย
- Oversee the expenditures for Field Office moves including any required renovation and alteration works.
- Review and advise on leases and Memoranda of Understanding and Agreement to ensure compliance with UN/UNSDG standards and UNFPA requirements.
- Analyze the utilization and functioning of premises, and forecast needs and requirements
c) ย Provide guidance, support, and oversight for management of building facilities and equipment at Headquarters and provide technical expertise for UNFPA premisesย globally.
- Manage leases for office accommodation; negotiate terms and extensions with landlord/s.ย Compare and analyse alternative lease offers in the event that new premises must be found.
- Provide space management services in consultation with the requesting Divisions/Units.
- Provide technical advice on premises at all UNFPA locations in the event of renovation, relocation, construction, etc.
- Review proposals and provide guidance for procurement and implementation of programme-funded construction projects, and make recommendations for senior management approval of such proposals in line with PPM.
- Provide guidance on common premises in context of UN reform.
- Coordinate general liability insurance with UN insurance unit.
d) ย Represent UNFPA in the Interagency Task Team on Common Premises (or relevant other forum)
- Undertake preparatory work and anticipate discussions in the TTCP; represent UNFPA as principal in Task Team discussions.
- Ensure that UNFPAโs interests are taken into account in TTCP decisions and that they are in line with UN reform policy.
- Develop and research background information, and make casesย for the most favorable position for UNFPA in the TTCP.ย
- Manage the Reserve for Field Accommodationย funding or itsย successor
- Participate in discussions on UN Reform issues related to common premises.
e) ย Coordinate financial data related to fixed assets and leases
- Ensure accurate and up to date lease data is submitted to Finance Branch for year end closure
- Ensure accurate and up to date fixed asset data is submitted to Finance Branch for year end closure
- Ensure other relevant financial data is submitted timely and accurately to the Finance Branch as required.ย
f) ย Provide strategic guidance and leadership in the area of fixed asset management and lease management
- Develop and maintain, with the assistance of a team of professionals and specialists, a comprehensive set of policies and procedures for fixed asset management;ย
- Ensure that policies & procedures are practical and usable in the day-to-day business
- Identify needs for new or modified policies and procedures; review and initiate action as may be required;
- Manage UNFPAโs lease database and ensure through supervision of staff members that data is accurate and up to date at all times;
- Oversee the identification of leases where UNFPA is the lessor;
- Ensure accurate data is provided in the required form for lease accounting purposes
- Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders as required.
g) ย Other dutiesย
- Represent UNFPA as required on various inter-agency working groups such as International Network of Facilities Managers (INFM).
- Serve as acting or replacement Chief of Branch as required; and
- Perform any other activity as required in order to assure the success of the work team in support of the UNFPA mandate and strategy.
Qualifications and Experience:ย
Education:ย ย
Advanced University Degree in Architecture, Engineering, Business Administration, or any other relevant discipline.ย
Knowledge and Experience:ย
- Minimum seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in real estate and facilities management operations in a multi-cultural environment.
- Knowledge of basic engineering, architecture, real estate or facilities management practices and techniques.
- Experience with ERP and general IT-knowledge (including data base entry, data maintenance and reporting) required.
- Experience in leading small but high performing teams.
Languages:ย
Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language an asset.
Required Competencies:ย
Values:
- Exemplifying integrity,ย
- Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,ย
- Embracing cultural diversity,ย
- Embracing change
Core Competencies:ย
- 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:
- Working in teams,
- Self-management/Emotional Intelligence,
- Communication,
- Analytical and Strategic Thinking,
- Results orientation/Commitment to excellence,
- Appropriate and transparent decision making,
- Knowledge sharing/Continuous learning
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,
- Performance Management.
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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. 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 - clickย hereย to learn more.ย
Disclaimer:
Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.ย
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.ย
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.