Director of Administration

Org. Setting and Reporting

The mandate of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is to promote sustainable and inclusive development and regional connectivity in the Asia-Pacific region. The role of ESCAP as a regional development arm of the United Nations Secretariat is to support its membership with policy-oriented research and analysis and with normative, technical and capacity-building assistance to respond to the development priorities and changing needs of countries in Asia and the Pacific. This position leads the Division of Administration, managing holistic administrative services and operational areas including procurement, human resources, finance, facilities management and central support services, conference services management, information technology services among others. Other activities of the Division include acting as a service provider to other UN entities in Asia and Pacific, overseeing the real estate and host country agreements of ESCAP premises, and administration of the United Nations Medical and Occupational Safety and Health services. This position is located in the Division of Administration. The incumbent reports to the Executive Secretary.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Director of Administration is responsible for the effective, efficient and systematic management and delivery of all administrative support services required by ESCAP and client entities, enabling efficient and cost-effective mandate delivery and ensuring adherence to established UN regulations, rules, policies and procedures in all operational areas. Under the direct supervision of the Executive Secretary, the incumbent is required to perform the following functions:

• Provides strategic advice to the Executive Secretary on the integrated management of ESCAP’s financial, human, and physical resources, in alignment with current UN Secretariat reform initiatives, including efforts to modernize planning, budgeting, and talent management. Supports senior leadership in driving data-informed administrative decision-making and in implementing streamlined, future-fit service delivery models. Leads the development and operationalization of robust resource and asset management frameworks that uphold fiduciary integrity while enabling organizational agility and innovation under the UN 2.0 framework.
• Develops strategies, processes and procedures that ensure strategic and cost effective management of the administrative services of the following sections and units: human resources management; financial services; procurement; information and communications technology services; conference services management; real estate management and central support services; travel, transport, and host country relations.
• Prepares major reports for senior management and UN legislative bodies, inclusive of the General Assembly and ACABQ, provides guidance in related areas includin...