Chief, Commercial Operations Unit

Job Title

Chief, Commercial Operations Unit (COU), P3

Department/ Office

United Nations Office at Nairobi

Duty Station

NAIROBI

Posting Period

22 July 2013-20 September 2013

Job Opening number

13-ADM-UNON-28576-R-NAIROBI (X)

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Organizational Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) is the UN headquarters in Africa and the representative office of the Secretary-General. We support programme implementation of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) globally, as well as other UN offices in Kenya, by providing administrative, conference and information services (www.unon.org). This post is located in the Commercial Operations Unit (COU), Facilities Management and Transportation Section (FMTS), Support Services Service (SSS), Division of Administrative Services (DAS), United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON).

Responsibilities

Under the general guidance of the Chief, SSS, the incumbent reports through UNON/DAS to the Common Services Governance Framework (CSGF) and will perform the following functions. a) Ensures that the terms and conditions set out in the Rules and Regulations Governing the Commissary, Petrol Station, Gift Centre, Recreation

Centre and Catering Outlets are adhered to and devise appropriate monitoring mechanisms. b) Responsible for the development, improvement of the performance, budget oversight, and for meeting targets for all elements of the commercial operations on the basis of strategic and operational business plans. c) Prepares sales projections and feasibility studies on mark-up policies and financing mechanisms for coverage of overhead expenses for approval of CSGF. d) Implement necessary controls to avoid fraud, including random fuel checks, implementation of computerised billing systems, regular stock taking, and monitoring of new consignments. e) Undertake market research on national, regional, or international market conditions to determine existing and potential level of demand for particular products to be stocked in the Gift Centre and the Commissary. f) Implement best industry catering and hospitality procedures to ensure customer service, menu selection and hygiene quality for all catering outlets. g) Review regular financial and management reports as well as audited accounts provided by the Contractors. h) Handle audit of COU and follow-up on possible audit recommendation (i)Handles client/customer interface mechanisms, including issuance of customer satisfaction questionnaires; responding to staff complaints; training of staff in customer relations. i) Supervise, guide and motivate staff under his/her supervision and is responsible for the day-to-day

administration of the COU. Performs any other related functions

Competencies

Professionalism: Ability to meet commitments, observe deadlines and achieve results; Ability to be persistent when faced with difficult problems or challenges and to remain calm in stressful situations. Knowledge of and ability to manage complex and/or multiple commercial food and hospitality outlets. 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. Ability to meet the needs of staff at all levels as well as diplomats and people of different cultures and backgrounds. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are

consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently.

Education

Advanced university degree (Masters degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Hotel Management, Hospitality, Economics, Commerce or related area. A first university degree with a combination of two years professional and academic qualifications may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Work Experience

At least five years of relevant professional work experience in the area of managing commercial operations, such as a commercial enterprise, preferably in the areas of catering, food, hospitality, supply chain or consumer goods. International work experience in a multi-cultural setting would be an asset. Experience with the integration of environmental considerations into business practices would be desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English required. Knowledge of other UN languages an asset.

Assessment Method

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

Special Notice

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

1. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided.

2. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Need Help?" link.

United Nations Considerations

The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

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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