Chief of Section, Engineering, P5

  • United Nations
  • New York
  • Apr 19, 2022
Seasonal Engineer Engineering

Job Description

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Engineering Support Section (ESS), Sourcing Support Service in the Logistics Division, Office of Supply Chain Management, Department of Operational Support (DOS) at Headquarters.

The Department of Operational Support was established to provide end-to-end operational support, advisory services and other solutions to operating entities across the Secretariat, including other departments, offices-away-from headquarters, field missions, and regional commissions.

The Office of Supply Chain Management includes the Office of the Assistant Secretary-General for Supply Chain Management, Logistics Division, Procurement Division, Uniformed Capabilities Support Division, Umoja Coordination Service, Global Service Centre and the Enabling and Outreach Service.

The Logistics Division performs a central role in the implementation of end-to-end supply chain management across the United Nations operations. The Division provides direction and advice on logistical matters, monitors and assesses the delivery of strategic transportation and support services, and directs the delivery of transportation and specialist support services in the functional areas of air transport, ground transport, engineering, medical and supply, inclusive of fuel, rations and general supplies and security equipment.

The incumbent will report to the Chief of Sourcing Support Service or designated official.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Chief, Engineering Support Section (ESS) will be responsible for the following duties:

• Directs the work of the Section, manages its resources and exercises supervisory control over the professional execution of the work carried out within ESS, ensuring that missions' engineering support requirements are met in accordance with established policies, procedures and standards in the most efficient and expeditious manner.

• Oversees and coordinates the Section's ongoing support activities by directing responses to operational requirements, defining issues and means, taking decisions and rendering advice on the resolution of complex engineering support problems of great intricacy, monitoring/following-up on matters for which the Section has responsibility and approving all outgoing correspondence.

• Establishes a broad range of performance goals (short- and long-term) and improvement projects for the Engineering Support Section to enhance responsiveness and efficiency of the engineering support to field missions, and monitors their implementation and related achievements.

• Ensures the timely and responsive implementation of the Performance Appraisal System (PAS) within the Section and provides general guidance and counseling to the staff of the Section as necessary.

• Provides general engineering policy guidance, technical support and specialist advice on the complex, multi-faceted civilian and military engineering support activities, such as vertical and horizontal construction projects; buildings management activities; technical services including maintenance, repair and rehabilitation programmes; engineering contracts such as specialized support services; and the acquisition of engineering/construction related equipment goods and related assets.

• Establishes and manages a portfolio of contracts to meet engineering related requirements in accordance with established policies, developed programmes and category management strategies, with a total value in excess of US$ 160 million annually.

• Supports the overall management and control of UN-owned facilities, infrastructure and engineering equipment, which involves asset redistribution, establishment of types and quantities of engineering assets to be kept on stockpile and decisions on priorities for engineering assets required by field missions.

• Undertakes periodic inspection visits to field missions to remain current on problems and features of the construction, building management and military (combat) engineering related support operations.

• Develops strategy and direction for the engineering support in field missions, determines corresponding support concepts and generic resource requirements, entailing the formulation or updating of policies, procedures and practices, including, but not limited to the development of improved-programming methods, the updating of engineering related documentation contained in the logistics directives and other field operations related manuals, and the collaboration in developing better contracting policies and contracts management procedures.

• Oversees the development, implementation and up-dating of comprehensive guidelines and contingency plans on the engineering support in field missions, such as accommodation and other engineering standards, scales of issue, standardization of equipment, property control, memoranda of understanding, guidelines to troop contributing countries and Letters of Assist, and liaises on these issues with the counterparts in field missions, DOS and other Departments within the Secretariat.

• Initiates, in liaison with other Divisions and Services of the Office of Supply Chain Management and counterparts in other Departments and UN Agencies, the long-range development planning for an efficient establishment, sustainment and liquidation of prospective UN peace-keeping or other missions and directs the formulation of corresponding master plans and procedures pertaining to engineering support aspects.

• Deputizes for the Service Chief during absences.

• Approves draft response to internal and external Audit notes, observations, or management letters on issues under the purview of the Section. Initiates remedial action as required.

• Maintains close contacts or liaison with other offices in and outside of the Secretariat to ensure free exchange of information and provision of full assistance and co-operation on engineering and related support matters in connection with peace-keeping and other field mission activities.

• Participates in initial, periodic and exit discussions and briefings with SRSGs, Force Commanders, Chief Military Observers, Chiefs of Staff, Chief Administrative Officers (CAO/DOA) and other senior officials of peace-keeping and other field missions.

• Liaises with Executive Office (HQCSS) on matters relating to the Section's resource requirements such as staffing, personnel administration, equipment and supplies.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Ability to apply engineering skills and to participate in engineering projects, including preparation of requirements, research of data and implement innovative solutions. Ability to identify and analyze engineering data of significant depth and complexity. Ability to manage resources, coordinate and monitor progress and results. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

• Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

• Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Managerial Competencies

• Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

• Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in civil, mechanical or electrical engineering, Supply Chain Management or other related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in engineering, supply chain management, logistics planning, contract management, or related field is required.

• A minimum of 2 years of practical experience in the planning and support of field operations (inclusive of peacekeeping operations, special political missions, agencies, funds and programmes), or other similar international organizations is desirable.

• Supervisory experience and project management for large complex engineering projects is desirable.

• Experience in developing and measuring performance indicators for engineering projects is desirable.

• Experience in the development and implementation of innovative engineering solutions, including renewable energy solutions, is desirable.

• Experience in research and development of sourcing solutions for engineering requirements, including establishing long term agreements is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

• This position is temporarily available as soon as possible for six months, with a possibility of an extension. If the selected candidate is an internal staff member of the UN Secretariat, the selection will be recorded as a temporary assignment.

Occupations

Civil & Structural Engineering, Electrical-Electronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

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