Assistant Director-General for Administration and Management (Paris, France) contract

Post Number : ADM 001

Grade : ADG

Parent Sector : Sector For Administration and Management (ADM)

Duty Station: Paris

Job Family: Administration

Type of contract : Fixed Term

Duration of contract :  2 years

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 18-NOV-2024

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

The Sector for Administration and Management provides operational/management services and solutions for UNESCO to achieve programme results, safeguarding UNESCO’s accountability vis-à-vis Member States and other relevant partners.

The mission of the Sector for Administration and Management is to provide strategic guidance and to develop enabling policies, procedures, processes, systems and tools to support all entities of the Secretariat, including field based entities, in the following broad management areas: human resources, finance, knowledge management and information and communication technology (ICT), procurement and contracting, support services including conferences, languages and documents and facilities management, and security and safety management.

Under the overall authority of the Director-General, the Assistant Director-General for Administration and Management will be responsible for providing vision, innovation and leadership, and strategically directing and managing the Sector to deliver high performance and quality critical business functions.

The Assistant Director-General for Administration and Management will be assisted, in discharging his/her functions, by the heads of services under his/her direct responsibility.

The Assistant Director-General is also responsible for the overall implementation of the programmes of the divisions/bureaus/sections under his/her responsibility, as approved by UNESCO’s governing bodies. The incumbent will also cooperate closely with other ADGs in carrying out his/her responsibilities, particularly dealing with organizational reform related and management matters.

The Assistant Director-General is accountable to the Director-General and is responsible for the following activities:

• Developing the strategy and formulating the Secretariat’s management policies and having overall responsibility for ensuring the effective and efficient management of the human resources, financial, knowledge management and information communication technology, procurement and contracting, support services and facilities management services of the Secretariat.
• Providing leadership and directing the activities of the Sector for Administration and Management to ensure effective and efficient delivery of support services to better enable implementation of mandates by all the entities.
• Leading and coordinating the work of the Sector of Management and Administration with a focus on a) enhancing accountability, transparency, effectiveness and efficiency, in the management of UNESCO resources, and b) on integration and simplification of UNESCO business processes to support the organizational mandate.
• Providing policy guidance, coordination and direction on management reforms to programme managers of the Secretariat and ensuring effective change management and communications to all staff.
• Developing appropriate coordination, consultation and accountability mechanisms to ensure management and operational priorities are consistent with program priorities and country office’s needs.
• Ensuring robust budget monitoring and sound financial management across the Organization.  
• Representing or ensuring the representation of the Director-General as appropriate, at technical and interagency meetings in the Sector’s field of activity.
• Maintaining close liaison with host-country authorities and Member States on all substantive aspects relating to the management of the financial, human resources and facilities of the Secretariat.

The Assistant Director-General, also a member of the Senior Management Team, shall represent the Director-General in specialized commissions of UNESCO’s governing bodies, as well as in United Nations inter-agency meetings, at the senior level.

For further information on the specific above-mentioned programmes, candidates may consult UNESCO’s website: https://www.unesco.org/en, and/or the following documents: 41 C/4 (UNESCO’s Medium-Term Strategy, 2022–2029) and 41 C/5 (UNESCO’s Programme and Budget for 2022–2025).

Education

• Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in Business or Public Administration, Management, Human Resources, Financial Management, International Relations, or related fields.

Work Experience

• A minimum of fifteen (15) years’ relevant experience in managing large corporate entities in Administration and Finance areas, preferably within an international and/or intergovernmental context.
• Demonstrated leadership experience with strategic vision and proven skills in managing complex organizations, such as an intergovernmental, international non-governmental or multinational private sector entities.
• Proven ability to lead organizational change initiatives and build consensus and drive effective campaigns among a broad spectrum of people and organizations.
• Several years of exposure to the requirements of international or inter-governmental cooperation, preferably within the context of the United Nations system or a multi/global/trans-national company.

Skills & Competencies

• Knowledge of, and commitment to, the Organization’s mandate, vision, strategic directions and priorities.
• Leadership capacities, a sense of objectivity and neutrality, strong analytical skills and intellectual capabilities, professional integrity and diplomacy.
• Ability to develop a vision, concepts and strategies for corporate planning and change management.
• Solid understanding of best management practices; ability to align management policies and practices to support the achievement of organizational goals.
• Strong client orientation, communication skills and advocacy.
• Ability to exercise leadership in strengthening accountability and results-based management in support of organizational priorities, policy and decision-making processes.
• Experience in guiding staff and motivating teams in a culturally diverse environment.
• Sound knowledge of general management practices, including results-based management and budgeting principles, governance and accountability.
• Solid understanding of global operational risks.

• Proven ability to interact effectively with Member States, External Auditors and to build collaborative partnerships and networks with and between a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to manage relationships at all levels of the Organization.
• Ability to go beyond established procedures and models and to introduce new approaches and strategic innovations.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge of and drafting skills in one of the working languages (English or French) of the Organization and ability to work in the second language.

Education

• Other university degrees or certifications (CPA or CIFPA) or short to medium-term training in disciplines relevant to the post.

Skills & Competencies

• Awareness of the administrative, budgetary and financial landscape and context in the UN system.
• Awareness and knowledge of UNESCO’s strategic objectives and of wider reform and initiative processes within the United Nations system.
• Solid knowledge and experience in the application of complex ICT systems and modules (including ERP systems such as SAP) and its application and impact on enhancing management efficiency and efficacy.

Languages

• Knowledge of other official languages of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish).