The United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) is the UN headquarters in Africa and the representative office of the Secretary-General. UNON supports programme implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) globally, as well as other UN offices in Kenya, by providing administrative, conference and information services. The post is in the Publishing Services Section, Division of Conference Services, UNON.
Under the broad supervision of the Chief of Division, the Chief of Section will be responsible for the following duties:
1. Takes the lead to develop, implement, and evaluate assigned programmes/projects in the areas of design, electronic publishing, and multimedia to ensure that documentation and publications are published in accordance with organizational mandates, strategic objectives, and established policies. The Chief of Section will play a key role in the integration of emerging publishing technologies across all aspects of the operation including electronic publications, digital "paperless" distribution, and web-to-print services.
2. Manages outreach activities to clients of the Section and participates in identifying opportunities (including new technologies, new workflows, and equipment) to improve efficiency and enhance operations. Responsible for establishing strong partnerships with key author/departments and counterparts within the Organization with the aim to widening the client base and increasing volume on a cost recovery basis.
3. Monitors all aspects of production, including implementing and monitoring productivity enhancement measures, vendor compliance, and human resource management. Manages the programme work of the Section, including preparation of work plans, interviews, and recommends staff for the section, both regular and temporary capacity and performs regular performance appraisals for staff in the Section. Supervises the staff by identifying and resolving issues and coordinates appropriate training programme for staff in the Section.
4. Controls the quality of work in the various units. •Analyses production methods to ensure most efficient methods of printing and finishing are used. •Ensures the preparation of statement of work for the purchase of equipment and supplies, as well as technical evaluation of offers and ensures proper maintenance and repair of all equipment in the Section. •Ensures that sufficient stock of consumables is always available and maintains regular liaison with Procurement Section to ensure the timely purchase of consumables. •Appraises relevant information on changes in the publishing field, including graphic arts, e-Publications, etc.• Manages the pre-press/desktop publishing operations for design, layout, formatting, colour separation and proofing. •Makes projections on staff resources and equipment needs according to the schedule of conferences.
5. Drafts proposed budgetary requirements of each year •Coordinates all production and other performance reports on a regular basis. •Provides estimates and final invoices for extra-budgetary printing and publishing services as part of the cost recovery procedure for all publishing services. •Implements efficient business management methods. •Carries out regular costing studies as an aid in decision-making and in the shaping of general policies.
6. Leads team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need.
7. Keeps abreast of the latest technological innovations in the publishing industry and adopts new work methods as appropriate.
8. Performs other duties as required.
PROFESSIONALISM - Demonstrates a high level of knowledge of desktop publishing, prepress and multimedia processes. Has extensive knowledge of digital and publishing technologies. Ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities, and risks. Ability to generate and communicate broad and compelling organizational direction. Ability to communicate clearly links between the Organization's strategy and the work unit's goals. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter (in-depth understanding of the documentation process); Established knowledge with publishing practices, including printing/graphic arts, typographical standards and content management and production; Skilled in the promotion of publishing services to clients and customers. Shows ability to formulate new ideas with a view to consolidating operations to improve operational efficiency. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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.
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.
CREATIVITY: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; Offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; Promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; Takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks "outside the box"; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; Is not bound by current thinking or
traditional approaches.
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 improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands.
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.
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in a publishing discipline, e.g., graphic communications management, print management and digital media technology management, or a management discipline, e.g., business administration, public administration, print management is required. A first-level university degree in combination with at least two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Demonstrated experience in electronic management of workflow; computer assisted printing and publishing technologies is required.
Experience in management of human and financial resources and publishing workflows and content management systems is required.
At least ten years of managerial experience in either printing, graphic design and/or multimedia, including four years at the international level are required
Experience in procurement and vendor management is desirable.
Experience in conference servicing settings is desirable.
Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post,fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of one other official language of the United Nations is desirable.
Competency based interview – A written/technical test may be conducted.
This is a temporary Job Opening. Appointment against this position is for a duration of 364 days, a limited duration and does not carry any expectancy, legal or otherwise, of renewal.
Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.
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.
The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
Individual Contractors and Consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for or be appointed to any professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions, within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. For such positions, at least six months need to have elapsed between the end of a consultancy or individual contract and the time of application and consideration for an appointment as a staff member under the Staff Rules and Regulations of the United Nations.
Internal Applicants – when completing the PHP, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you.
At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.
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. Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. 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.
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.
Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places 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. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.
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