Lead the operational delivery and direction of headquarters support services, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities, delegated authorities, efficiency objectives and performance expectations.
Drive the streamlining, governance and optimization of retained enabling functions across headquarters, promoting efficient, high-quality and end-to-end service delivery in alignment with the broader GSS operating model.
Ensure coherent governance, accountability and coordination arrangements for retained enabling functions across Headquarters, including clear interfaces and effective upstream/downstream coordination with GSS service areas.
Translate strategic guidance into clear operational priorities, service delivery standards and performance indicators, and monitor KPIs across HQSSS service lines to ensure timely, accurate and client-oriented services.
Ensure HQSSS operates through structured service delivery, performance monitoring and risk management frameworks aligned with GSS standards, policies and reporting requirements.
Serve as the key interlocutor for HQSSS with senior management, divisions and entities, and relevant governance bodies, including the HQSSS Steering Committee and headquarters Resource Management Task Team.
Support the evolution of UNHCR's shared services model by translating lessons learned from the consolidation of Headquarters enabling functions into lean and effective service delivery approaches at regional and operational levels.
Service Delivery and Operations Management
Oversee the delivery of integrated HQSSS services across human resources support, partnership and project management support, administrative support, and IT HQ site and end-user support, ensuring consistent, timely, accurate and cli
Benefits
Vision insurance
Additional Information
Please note that this vacancy is only open to eligible staff members who have been individually notified of their eligibility to apply for positions advertised in the Accelerated Posting Compendium.
Deadline for Applications
June 12, 2026
Hardship Level
H (no hardship)
Family Type
Family
Residential location (if applicable)
Grade
PR5
Staff Member / Affiliate Type
Professional
Reason
Regular > Regular Assignment
Target Start Date
2026-05-26
Standard Job Description
C hief of Headquarters Support Services Section
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Chief of Headquarters Support Services Section (HQSSS) is responsible for the strategic leadership, operational management and continuous development of HQSSS as a centralized shared service platform for Headquarters. The incumbent leads a multidisciplinary team covering a diverse portfolio spanning through administrative support, partnership management, project control, HR vacancy management, HR affiliate workforce management, the local HR function and HR advisory/partner function for HQs, as well as IT site support, across HQ locations and ensures the effective delivery of integrated human resources, administrative, resource management, project control and IT support services to all Headquarters Divisions and Entities.
The position plays a key role in embedding the new Headquarters Resource Management Support Model in the evolving service delivery model for enabling functions, strengthening partnerships with Divisions and Entities, and driving standardization, service quality and efficiency across retained HQ Resource Management support functions.
The position reports to the Head of Global Shared Services (GSS). The Chief of HQSSS will support the Head of GSS in driving the continuous enhancement of UNHCR's enabling functions service delivery model through shared services by actively contributing to continuous improvement efforts, engaging key stakeholders across HQ with operational insights from day-to-day service delivery and driving efficiencies.
Lastly, the Chief of HQSSS will support the Head of GSS in representing and managing UNHCR's outsourced Headquarters functions in Budapest, including engagement with local UN system bodies, host government, and partners, ensuring effective coordination and communication on cross-cutting issues. This is done in close collaboration with other teams providing location-specific administrative support, including upholding accountability for security, such as the Division of Resource Management's Global Infrastructure Service.
All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.
Unhcr · Budapest (gsc), Hungary