Reason
Standard Job Description
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Head of Global Shared Services (GSS) is responsible for the leadership, management, and continuous improvement of UNHCR’s Shared Services operations across key enabling functions including HR, Payroll, Finance, Supply, IT, and global support services. The role ensures high-quality, efficient, and client-oriented service delivery by leveraging standardization, automation, and operational excellence centred on cost efficiencies and quality of service.
Reporting to the Deputy High Commissioner, the incumbent leads the service centre supporting global operations from a centralized location supported by regional hubs, ensuring compliance with UNHCR’s rules and procedures while meeting evolving operational demands. The role plays a central part in advancing the organization's transformation and service delivery model.
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.
Strategic Service Delivery Oversight
Lead the operational delivery of global shared services across HR, Payroll, Finance, Procurement, Supply, IT, and global support services, ensuring alignment with performance expectations and service level agreements.
Ensure processes are designed end to end to drive efficiency and service quality.
Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) across service lines and ensure high-quality, timely and accurate transaction processing.
Define and implement the GSS operating model, service-delivery and location strategy, and the roadmap for transitioning additional functions and service lines into GSS, including the migration, stabilization and optimization of transferred services.
Manage the GSS budget and resources; establish and maintain the service costing and cost-recovery model, and benchmark unit costs and service quality against comparable shared services organizations.
Establish and maintain the GSS service catalogue and service governance with the policy-owning divisions, clearly distinguishing policy ownership from service-delivery accountability.
Lead the automation and digitalization agenda for transactional services, including self-service, robotic process automation and AI, in close coordination with ITS.
Ensure business continuity and resilience across the GSS hubs, and the protection of personal and financial data processed by GSS, in line with UNHCR's data protection and information security policies.
Lead workforce planning, talent development and succession management across the GSS hubs, fostering an inclusive, high-performance culture.
HR and payroll services
Oversee personnel administration for locally recruited and internationally assigned staff, ensuring accuracy in contract issuance, leave management, onboarding, and separation processes.
Ensure consistency in application of policies and regulations globally.
Ensure robust validation and certification of HR and benefits updates and the integrity of data in corporate systems (e.g., Workday, Oracle Cloud and others), supporting compliance and internal controls.
Support Contact Center services ensuring escalated queries are resolved efficiently, appropriately, and logged for analytics.
Finance services
Supervise the execution of core financial processes, including:
- Invoice processing, payment runs, and reconciliation of accounts payable and receivable.
- Donor receivables processing and compliance with multiple financial reporting standards.
Oversee the preparation of financial reports and dashboards, ensuring data quality and ERP alignment.
Monitor compliance with the Financial Internal Control Framework and support audit readiness and audit response documentation.
Support Contact Center services ensuring escalated queries are resolved efficiently, appropriately, and logged for analytics.
Supply Services
Manage transactional procurement services including purchase requisition processing, contract administration, and vendor master data management.
Oversee supply chain support activities such as stock reconciliation, relief item tracking, and ERP data entry linked to inventory and sourcing operations.
Ensure compliance with procurement rules and procedures and support Implementing Partner procurement documentation processes.
Support Contact Center services ensuring escalated queries are resolved efficiently, appropriately, and logged for analytics.
IT Services
Supervise IT services including end user device support, IT stockpiles, execution of vulnerability remediation in coordination with ITS, and cost recovery of IT services.
Oversee the scheduling and logistics of IT equipment shipments and customs clearances.
Support Contact Center services ensuring escalated queries are resolved efficiently, appropriately, and logged for analytics.
Contact Center
Supervise a multi-channel contact center responsible for the Service Management platform (ServiceNow) that provides first- and second-line support for the GSS globally.
Ensure all contact center hubs located in Panama, Dakar, Nairobi, Amman, and Kuala Lumpur are integrated into the GSS service offering, providing a follow-the-sun support model and a consistent end-user experience in multiple languages.
Ensure SLA metrics and customer satisfaction and complaints are tracked and managed to ensure continuous improvement and adherence to the quality standards.
Ensure a knowledge base is maintained to enable GSS clients to easily access and solve their queries using a self-service approach.
GSS Operations and Administration
Oversee the administrative unit responsible for workspace management, workspace allocation, and provision of supplies and utilities for all units and support hubs.
Support the documentation and monitoring of workplace safety, accessibility, and well-being initiatives.
Ensure effective internal communication and staff engagement across the GSS hubs, including regular all-staff meetings and staff-management consultation mechanisms.
Oversee the global administration of official travel services, ensuring the efficient processing of travel authorizations, claims, and related entitlements in compliance with UNHCR’s regulatory framework and operational needs.
Lead the standardization and centralized oversight of asset management processes, including the registration, tracking, disposal and reporting of UNHCR assets across all locations. Ensure compliance with internal controls, audit requirements and financial reporting standards.
Ensure centralized oversight in fleet management, including vehicle acquisition, utilization, maintenance, and disposal. Support the development and implementation of fleet performance monitoring tools and advocate for sustainability principles.
Lead risk assessments and discussions with team(s) to proactively manage risks and seize opportunities impacting objectives. Ensure that risk management principles are integrated in decision-making both at strategic and operational levels. Allocate resources for planned treatments with resource requirements in Strategic Plans. Ensure that risks are managed to acceptable levels and escalate, as needed. If a Risk Owner, designate the Risk Focal Point and certify that the annual risk review is completed and ensure that the risk register is updated during the year, as needed.
Perform other related duties as required.
Years of Experience / Degree Level
Field(s) of Education
Certificates and/or Licenses
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Essential
Desirable
Functional Skills
Language Requirements
Competency Requirements
All jobs at UNHCR require 6 core competencies and may also require managerial competencies and/or cross-functional competencies. The 6 core competencies are listed below.
Core Competencies
Managerial Competencies
Cross-Functional Competencies
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.
Desired Candidate Profile
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
Desired languages
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:
Nature of Position:
The Global Shared Services (GSS) provides location-independent transactional services in Finance, Payroll, Human Resources, Supply, and IT, to enable operations to focus on strategic and context-specific priorities globally. The GSS located in Budapest serves as the backbone of the service, which is supported by satellite teams in Panama, Amman, Kuala Lumpur, Dakar, and Nairobi. The GSS also works very closely with all enabling functions, DPM, DRM, DEPS, and ITS, to ensure policies and controls are implemented and delivered in an efficient manner. The Head of Global Shared Services provides strategic leadership and oversight of UNHCR's global shared services operations, ensuring the delivery of efficient, high-quality, and client-focused services across key enabling functions, including Human Resources, Payroll, Finance, Supply, Information Technology, and other corporate support services.
Reporting directly to the Deputy High Commissioner, the incumbent leads the organization’s centralized service delivery model, driving operational excellence through standardization, process optimization, digitization, and automation. The role is accountable for ensuring the consistent application of policies, procedures, and service standards while enhancing organizational efficiency, service quality, and cost-effectiveness.
The Head of GSS oversees the management and continuous improvement of shared services operations that support UNHCR's global workforce and field activities. The incumbent ensures that service delivery remains responsive to evolving operational requirements, aligns with organizational priorities, and contributes to the achievement of UNHCR's strategic objectives. The incumbent will also lead the further expansion of GSS to additional functions and service lines, including the transition, stabilization and optimization of services migrated into GSS.
As a senior leader, the incumbent plays a critical role in advancing organizational transformation initiatives, modernizing service delivery frameworks, strengthening governance and accountability, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and customer service excellence across the shared services environment. The position requires close collaboration with headquarters divisions, regional bureaux, country operations, and external partners to ensure integrated, effective, and sustainable support services worldwide.
Additional Qualifications
Education
Work Experience
Competencies
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Additional Information
Functional clearance