Director, Logistics
Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Logistics Division (LD), Office of Supply Chain Management (OSCM), 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 (ASG) for Supply Chain Management, the Logistics Division, the Procurement Division, the Uniformed Capabilities Support Division, Global Service Centre, Enabling and Outreach Service and the Aviation Safety Section.
The Logistics Division performs a central role in the implementation of end-to-end supply chain management across the United Nations (UN) 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 Division also performs and leads global integrated supply chain planning functions to facilitate global demand, source and delivery planning across all technical areas within its functional scope.
The Division consists of the Supply Chain Planning Service, Sourcing Support Service, Air Transport Service and Movement Control Section.
The incumbent will report to the Assistant Secretary-General for Supply Chain Management.
Responsibilities
Within limits of delegated authority, the Director will be responsible for the following duties :
Provides the vision, leadership, and strategic direction to the Logistics Division, including effective coordination with all client entities and stakeholders;
overseeing the development and execution of logistics policies and integrated strategic plans that stress the importance of doing business in a cost-effective manner and being proactive in identifying cost-efficiencies through the implementation of category management.
- Applies new and innovative business practices and technologies including category management approaches to enhance operational and cost-effectiveness in support of peace, security, sustainability, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Contributes to the integrated strategic planning for field missions, service centers, the Department of Peace Operations (DPO), the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) and DOS senior management;
participates in various committees, prepares documents on policy issues, and acts, as required, in an advisory capacity to the ASG.
- Responsible for the day-to-day internal operations of the Logistics Division and for managing effective and efficient support and guidance, providing technical advice to the clients in Headquarters, the field, Office Away from Headquarters, Regional Commissions and senior management in DOS, DPO, and DPPA on logistics support, supply chain, and deployment concepts.
- Specific responsibilities include : leadership, strategic guidance and vision in the development of innovative approaches and change initiatives for logistics support services;
- ensures category managers work closely with clients to provide customised solutions; ensures the efficient application of business processes, and its oversight;
- communicates and interacts with Member States on logistical matters affecting the Member States, policies, and procedures, providing strategic direction and oversight in these core activities;
oversees and monitors the management of logistics resources and exercise of authority delegated to field missions and ensures that the logistics and materiel needs of field missions are taken into account in the development of mission deployment plans and concepts of operation.
Ensures appropriate logistics guidance is issued and support provided by DOS experts and stakeholders such as the Enabling & Outreach Service, UN Global Service Centre, and Forward Support & Deployment Hub;
ensures the necessary linkages and collaboration are made with the various stakeholders to fully meet and support the logistics needs of all client entities in the field operations.
- Provides leadership to the development of innovative and / or change management programmes.
- Formulates and implements the substantive work programme of the Logistics Division under his / her supervision, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery.
- Oversees the management of activities undertaken by the Logistics Division, ensuring that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion and co-ordinates work in the different areas both within the Logistics Division and Office of Supply Chain Management and with other organizations of the United Nations System, donors and agencies as appropriate.
- Co-ordinates and oversees the preparation of reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budget Questions, Committee for Programme Coordination, Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly and other policy-making organs, as appropriate.
- Reports to intergovernmental bodies on budget / programme performance or on programmatic / substantive issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in biannual and / or annual reports.
- Ensures that the outputs produced by the Logistics Division maintain high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective, and based on comprehensive data.
Ensures that all outputs produced by the Division under his / her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates.
- Undertakes or oversees the programmatic / administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Logistics Division, including preparation of budgets, assigning and monitoring of performance parameters and critical indicators, reporting on budget / programme performance, preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting, evaluation of staff performance (PAS), interviews of candidates for job openings and evaluation of candidates.
- Oversees the recruitment of staff for the Logistics Division taking into account geographical and gender balance and other institutional values.
- Manages, guides, develops, and trains staff under his / her supervision; fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Logistics Division and across organizational boundaries.
- Chairs meetings, seminars, etc., on substantive-related issues; represents the Organization at international, regional, inter-agency meetings, seminars and conferences;
provides programmatic / substantive expertise on issues or holds programmatic / substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions.
Performs other related duties as requested by the senior management of the Organization.
Competencies
- Professionalism : Demonstrated ability to provide strategic guidance and oversight in the area of logistics and global logistics operations;
- ability to improve and recommend new processes and approaches; strong negotiating skills and ability to influence others to reach agreement on difficult issues;
demonstrated skills and ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, draw conclusions and recommend solutions; shows competence, integrity and reliability in managerial performance and in maintaining positive working relations in a highly demanding environment.
Ability to demonstrate forward thinking, and analytical skills while cultivating innovation; Ability to drive for change and improvement in the area of logistics support and service delivery to a diverse group of clients.
- 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; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.
- 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.
- 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.
- Building Trust : Provides an environment in which others can talk and act without fear of repercussion; manages in a deliberate and predictable way;
- operates with transparency; has no hidden agenda; places confidences in colleagues, staff members and clients; gives proper credit to theirs;
follows through on agreed upon actions; treats sensitive or confidential information appropriately.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in management, business or public administration, supply chain management or related area.
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 fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in the substantive areas of global operations, supply chain management or related is required.
- A minimum of five (5) years of experience and demonstrated performance in managing cross functional category teams is required.
- Experience in developing strategic and proactive solutions based on client needs, using data for decision making and proposing recommendations is required.
- Experience leading business transformation projects, and / or multiple key tactical and strategic initiatives in parallel, is required.
- Experience in collaborating across multiple group efforts to achieve Organisation-wide strategic objectives and priorities is required.
- Experience in addressing global supply chain disruptions through the management of innovative supply chain and logistics operations initiatives is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required.
Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview.
Special Notice United Nations Considerations No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING).
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.
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