Senior Land and Buildings Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The job is designed to provide timely and sound technical advice in all major projects for the acquisition of premises (Land and Buildings), owned, leased or in right-of-use agreement requiring engineering assessment and property management (e.g., new constructions, renovations, expansions, demolitions, lease agreements, Memoranda of Understanding for the right of use, purchases, donations, lease-constructions, maintenance, and repair). The incumbent should have a solid technical background and expertise to provide expert opinion on engineering issues and should be adequately resourceful in seeking advice from relevant national and international authorities for the benefit of the Organization.
A major area of work will be the construction, alteration and/or improvement to the existing UNHCR owned and/or leased premises and acquisition of new property. The incumbent will support the Organisation in setting-up property policies, plans, objectives, including performance indicators, and advise senior management on issues based on the market and feasibility analysis taking into consideration the functional/aesthetic standards, quality, security, safety, overhead/maintenance costs of the UNHCR premises.
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.

Duties

• Develop complementary internal policy and procedural documents to assist operations in the delivery of day-to-day property management activities in accordance with the UNHCR¿s global strategy on leased or owned property.
• Develop strategy and related policy on UNHCR acquisition or leasing of land and buildings.
• Support UNHCR operations in preparing plans for establishment of office premises, forecast requirements taking into consideration acquisition (including leasing), repairs and maintenance, refurbishment, lease management, health and safety, energy and sustainability, facilities management (including building safety, security, and services).
• Prepare analytical and narrative reports by collecting, analysing, and summarising data (including financial) and trends related to property management.
• Recommend procurement strategy for office premises and staff accommodation.
• Set-up property objectives and define performance indicators which ensure that the quantity, functionality, quality, maintenance cost of existing premises is appropriate.
• Determine risk management strategy to address insufficient or inappropriate resources, poor maintenance record or inadequate lease documentation, failure to accurately identify space requirements (location, quantity, or quality), inflexible property portfolio.
• Analyse all major alterations and improvements to UNHCR owned or leased premises.
• Ensure that operations obtain all necessary documents to establish ownership of land and buildings and satisfy all legal national and international requirements regarding the building¿s safety and adequacy to the planned use and occupancy.
• Review and verify that ERP Module fulfils property valuation requirements. Propose modifications, if necessary.
• Review premises acquisition contracts submitted to the approval of the HQ Committee on Contracts and provide technical endorsement to the Procurement Service with special regard to the project adequacy to the planned use and occupancy.
• Provide engineering expertise to DFAM on IPSAS compliance.
• Develop and standardize contracts, forms and templates in acquisition or leasing of properties, in coordination with LAS and DFAM.
• Coordinate with DFAM and DHRM on issues related to staff accommodation.
• Maintain a register of major alterations and improvements to the properties and share reports with DFAM/FCS.
• Assist UNHCR’s offices in producing comprehensive maintenance agreement tender documents, associated contractual documentation and the technical data sheet for each item covered by the maintenance contract.
• Plan renovations, calculate overhead costs, depreciations, prepare annual budgets, schedule expenditures, analyse variance and initiate corrective actions.

• Perform other related duties as required.

• Minimum Qualifications
  Education & Professional Work Experience
  Years of Experience / Degree Level
  For P4/NOD – 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree
  Field(s) of Education
  Civil Engineering, Architecture or other relevant field.
  (Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)
  Certificates and/or Licenses
  Not specified.

• Relevant Job Experience

• Essential

• Minimum 9 years of experience in progressively responsible functions in engineering, technical support function, project management, construction, building maintenance, facilities management, or other relevant area; preferably in a UN agency, with minimum of 5 years in international capacity.

• Proven ability and experience in managing complex technical projects, preferably property related projects.

• Ability to interpret legal documents, surveys, construction drawings, title deed and investigative skills.

• In-depth knowledge of construction accounting.

• Knowledge of various programmes e.g., AutoCAD, MS Office, including property management software.

• Desirable

• Well versed with cost-benefit analysis and real estate highest occupancy and best practices.

• Up-to-date knowledge of economic trends and market conditions.

• Knowledge of principles and practices of property management.

• Knowledge of methods and techniques of effective report preparation and presentation.

• Knowledge of basic accountancy.

• Knowledge of ERP systems and able to maintain database of land and buildings.

• Functional Skills
  IT-Computer Assisted Design Software (e.g. AutoCAD)
  MG-Project Management
  SO-Presentation skills
  SP-Infrastructure Development/Construction Management/Property Management
  IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software
  GB-Building Maintenance
  GB-Facility Management
  GB-Facility inspection
  GB-Property records administration
  (Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

• Language Requirements
  For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
  For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
  For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

• All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination, and abuse of power.
  As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.
  This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Position Competencies

C001L3 – Accountability Level 3
C002L3 – Teamwork & Collaboration Level 3
C003L3 – Communication Level 3
C004L3 – Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 3
C005L3 – Client & Result Orientation Level 3
C006L3 – Organizational Awareness Level 3
M001L3 – Empowering and Building Trust Level 3
M002L3 – Managing Performance Level 3
M006L3 – Managing Resources Level 3
M005L3 – Leadership Level 3
M003L3 – Judgement and Decision Making Level 3
M004L3 – Strategic Planning and Vision Level 3
X003L3 – Technological Awareness Level 3
X001L3 – Analytical Thinking Level 3
X006L3 – Policy Development & Research Level 3