Org. Setting and Reporting
The position is located in the Division on Investment and Enterprise of the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The Head of the Enterprise Branch reports to the Director of the Division on Investment and Enterprise.
Responsibilities
The Head of the Enterprise Branch formulates and implements the substantive work programme of the Branch; oversees the management of activities undertaken by it; ensures that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion and; coordinates work in the different areas both within the Division and Department, and with other organizations of the United Nations System, as appropriate. S/he will be performing the following duties: • Leads, supervises and carries out the work programme of the Enterprise Branch under his/her responsibility. Coordinates the work carried out by different work units under the Branch (sustainability, accounting and corporate governance, entrepreneurship and business facilitation) and by other agencies and bodies of the United Nations system; provides programmatic/substantive reviews of the drafts prepared by others. • Coordinates and oversees the preparation of reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly, the Trade and Development Board, the Commission on Investment and Enterprise and the Intergovernmental Working Group on International Standards of Accounting and Reporting and other policy-making organs, as appropriate. • Reports to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance or on programmatic/ substantive issues related to sustainability issues, accounting, entrepreneurship and the facilitation of business, as appropriate. • Ensures that the outputs produced by the Enterprise Branch maintains high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. Ensures that all outputs produced by the Sections under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates. • Assists the Director in preparing the work programme of the Division, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery. • Undertakes or oversees the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Enterprise Branch, including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, evaluation of staff performance (PAS), interviews of candidates for job openings, evaluation of candidates and preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting. • Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision. • Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Branch and across organizational boundaries. • Leads and supervises the organization of meetings, seminars, etc. on sustainability, accounting and entrepreneurship issues. Manages the substantive preparation and organization of such meetings or seminars. • Represents in international, regional or national meetings and provides programmatic/substantive expertise on sustainability, accounting, entrepreneurship and business facilitation issues, or holds programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions.
Competencies
• Professionalism: Knowledge of the substantive field of work in general and of specific areas being supervised, related to the mobilization of resources for sustainable development, including accounting and corporate governance, as well as entrepreneurship and business facilitation. Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. Ability to mobilize support from a wide range of partners and stakeholders and to build and maintain partnerships. 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. • 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. • Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. • 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 improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. • Building Trust: Provides an environment in which others can talk and act without fear of repercussion; manages in a deliberate and predictable way; operates with transparency; has no hidden agenda; places confidence in colleagues, staff members and clients; gives proper credit to others; follows through on agreed upon actions; treats sensitive or confidential information appropriately.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business or public administration, finance, accounting or related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Job - Specific Qualification
Specialization in business management or enterprise development is desirable.
Work Experience
A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in economic research and analysis, policy formulation, application of economic principles and programme management in the area of enterprise development, the development of private sector or related fields is required. Prior experience in sustainable resource mobilization is required. Experience in leading the management of programmes and their teams in an international organisation is desirable. Experience in facilitating intergovernmental or legislative processes in an international organization is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Either French or Spanish or Chinese (Mandarin) or Arabic or Russian is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).
Language
Reading
Writing
Listening
Speaking
English
UN Level III
UN Level III
UN Level III
UN Level III
Language
Reading
Writing
Listening
Speaking
French
UN Level II
UN Level II
UN Level II
UN Level II
Spanish
UN Level II
UN Level II
UN Level II
UN Level II
Chinese (Mandarin)
UN Level II
UN Level II
UN Level II
UN Level II
Arabic
UN Level II
UN Level II
UN Level II
UN Level I
Russian
UN Level II
UN Level II
UN Level II
UN Level II
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
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. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or under-represented in the UN Secretariat as of 28 February 2026, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, China (People's Republic of), Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Grenada, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu. 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. Staff members appointed to the current position are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon assignment or appointment and annually thereafter. Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfill the lateral or geographical move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral or geographical moves in their Candidate Profile (CP) and motivation statement.
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, 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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. 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.
