Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in Bogota within the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVMC). The Transport Officer reports to the Chief Supply Chain and Service Delivery.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Transport Officer will be responsible for the following duties: (These duties are generic and may not be carried out by all Transport Officers).

•Acts as the executive officer for Transport Unit and, responsible for the preparation of operational plans, the development of the Section budget and performance reports, responses to Internal and External Audit Observations, to ensure the accuracy and validity of all data included in management information systems such as UMOJA. Responsible for developing and implementing the Section training plan.
•Manages a fleet of vehicles within a specific geographic area of responsibility in a large mission. In accordance with the decisions of the mission Vehicle Establishment Committee and current DPKO policies and directives, manages the distribution, maintenance and utilization of vehicles in the sector area. 
•Manages the maintenance of a multi-type vehicle fleet at multiple workshops in separate locations. Ensures that standard quality control procedures are followed in transport maintenance workshops. 
•Monitors the overall performance of fleet maintenance in the sector area, taking into consideration the requirements of individual types based on the age and technical performance of each make/model.
•Acts as the line manager to the personnel in the sector. Evaluates employee performance, the allocation and rotation of appropriate work assignments. Coordinates the individual yearly work plan for all sector transport staff and produces detailed performance assessments and evaluations for all staff as required.
Fleet Officer
•Monitors the overall requirement for UN-owned vehicles and associated assets in close liaison with the Chief Supply and Service Delivery and Chief Logistics Officer. Develops and implements the mission vehicle acquisition plan in order to ensure that the fleet held by the mission is optimised to meet the requirement.
•Makes recommendations as to the optimum means of vehicle acquisition either through Headquarters systems contract, through Strategic Deployment Stocks (SDS) or locally.
•Acts as transport assets manager, ensures that assets are received, issued and disposed according to UN rules and Regulations.
•Monitors vehicle utilisation. This is achieved either through Vehicle Trip-Tickets or, in missions so equipped, by the use of an electronic fleet monitoring system. 
•Monitors the UN-owned fleet to ensure that vehicles are being efficiently utilised and make recommendations as to the balance between UN-owned and leased vehicles based on cost-benefit analysis. Where possible makes arrangements for the co-operative use of vehicles and equipment with contingents and other UN agencies.
•Monitors the overall performance of fleet maintenance, taking into consideration the requirements of individual types based on the age and technical performance of each make/model.
•In close co-operation with the maintenance and supplies officers, monitor vehicle maintenance costs and develop the vehicle procurement plan based on the optimum disposal time for mission vehicles.
•Compiles periodic reports and documentation regarding fleet status and deployment for onward transmission to UN Headquarters in order to permit budget and operational planning. Is therefore required to track and record fleet disposition at all times in order to analyse and project future needs.
•Liaises with commercial insurers and United Nations insurance specialists to ensure that coverage is adequate.
•May be required to coordinate the provision of technical expertise regarding contingent owned equipment safety inspections and draft reports for the Chief Supply Chain and Service Delivery regarding unsafe vehicles for onward transmission to the Chief Mission Support (CMS).
General
•Develops and implements procedures for assessing surface transport related operational and budget requirements.
•Prepares cost estimates for budget and planning purposes.
•Assists in the development of Requests for Proposals and Requests for Information and 
•Reviews bid responses and conducts operational and technical evaluation and analysis of the bids to ensure that offers met technical requirements and operational needs. 
•Coordinates requisition process with purchasing authorities to insure that bidding and approval meet required timetable.
•Ensures that quality control is implemented in all plans, procedures, and contracts.
•Manages the field mission road safety programme. Ensures that UN vehicles are used in accordance with UN Rules and Regulations, that vehicle usage data are correctly recorded. Arranges the testing of the staff and issuing of UN driving permits in order to ensure that all vehicle users have minimum driving skills and understanding of host country road rules and regulations. Develops and maintains active road accident prevention programs.
•Participates in various mission administrative bodies such as the Local Committee on Contracts, the Vehicle Establishment Committee, the Tenders Committee, the Local Property Survey Board and also Boards of Inquiry.
•Coordinates with the Chief Logistics Officer and Chief Supply Chain and Service Delivery on the mission vehicle recovery plan.
•Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

Core Competencies:
Professionalism:
Ability to manage diverse transport operations. Ability to provide leadership. Knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to transport operations and related matters. Demonstrates ability to complete in-depth analysis and to formulate conclusions/recommendations. 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.
Teamwork:
-Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals
-Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others
-Places team agenda before personal agenda
-Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position
-Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings
Planning & 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
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
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

High school diploma or equivalent. Technical or vocational certificate in mechanical engineering, transportation, logistics or other related fields is required. A valid driver’s license is a requirement.

Work Experience

At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in motor vehicle transport operations management or related area. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to 5 years for candidates who possess a first level University degree.
Experience working in the United Nations or other international organization is required.
Experience managing commercial transportation contracts is required.

Languages

For this position, fluency in English and Spanish (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

Extension of the appointment is subject to Extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds.
– 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.
– An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. All staff of the Ethics Office are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon appointment and annually thereafter. 
– This vacancy is subject to availability of post. Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfill the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover note.
– These posts are financed by the Support Account for Peacekeeping Operations. Extension of appointment will be subject to budgetary approval. 
– This position is vacant due to the temporary assignment/secondment of the regular incumbent to another office/organization. The selection and extension of appointment of the selected candidate will be contingent on the return of the incumbent who maintains a lien against this post. If the selected candidate is an internal staff member of the UN Secretariat, the selection will be recorded as a temporary assignment.
-The United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF) is an independent inter-agency body established by the United Nations General Assembly. The applicable human resources procedures are governed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Fund and the UN Secretariat. On the basis of that MoU and in light of the status of the UNJSPF, it was decided that staff members applying to posts at the P-5 level in the UNJSPF are exceptionally not subject to the lateral move requirement for purposes of eligibility. However, selected candidates who do not meet the lateral move requirements will be granted appointments strictly limited to service with the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

United Nations Considerations

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 or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, 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.

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.

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.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

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.