Senior Infrastructure Officer

December 22, 2025

H (no hardship)

FamilyFamily

PR4

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2025-12-08

Senior Infrastructure Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Senior Infrastructure Officer plays a key leadership role in managing and optimizing UNHCR’s office environments, both at headquarters and globally. This position is situated within DRM, under the Global Mobility and Infrastructure Service. It interacts closely with senior stakeholders in Geneva, Budapest, and Copenhagen, and RBs to ensure cohesive, high-quality facility services that support UNHCR’s operational needs and staff well-being.

The incumbent is responsible for overseeing the planning, maintenance, renovation, and optimization of office spaces at HQ/GSC locations. The incumbent is also responsible for overseeing the global facilities support function, ensuring technical assistance and expertise in facilities management across UNHCR. The role requires strong communication and coordination skills, the ability to engage diverse stakeholders, and the creativity to propose practical, forward-thinking solutions. A high level of project management, resource optimization and administration experience is essential, as is the capacity to manage teams, influence and lead change across decentralized and dynamic contexts.

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

• Leads the planning, coordination, and oversight of office infrastructure and facility management services across multiple HQ UNHCR locations, ensuring high standards of functionality, safety, accessibility, and user experience.

• Oversees the daily management and continuous improvement of HQ office premises, including space optimization, maintenance, renovation, parking, and storage facilities, in close collaboration with internal stakeholders and external service providers.

• Provides strategic and operational guidance to ensure coherence and alignment of facility management practices across HQ locations, promoting an integrated approach that supports organizational efficiency and staff well-being.

• Develops and tracks key performance indicators (KPIs) for facility operations, including service request (ticketing) resolution metrics and overall performance monitoring.

• Leads long-term capital planning and asset lifecycle strategies to ensure sustained performance and optimal timing for investments, upgrades, and divestments.

• Identifies and implements opportunities for cost-efficiency and resource optimization across infrastructure operations, ensuring value-for-money through data-driven planning, performance tracking, and the elimination of unnecessary expenditures.

• Leads or contributes to the preparation of budgets, financial plans, and expenditure monitoring related to facility operations and infrastructure projects, ensuring alignment with UNHCR’s financial and administrative policies and practices.

• Oversees or supports procurement processes for infrastructure-related goods and services, including preparation of technical specifications, review of vendor proposals, contract management, and compliance with procurement rules and standards.

• Leads the activity related to providing technical expertise in engineering, guidance on property acquisition and leasing, and facilities management for UNHCR’s global network of offices

• Maintain and promote a centrally coordinated and standardized approach to real estate and facility management across UNHCR offices, ensuring consistency in practices, compliance with policies, and alignment with organisational goals. 

• Leads or supports sustainability and greening initiatives within infrastructure services, working closely with relevant internal teams to reduce environmental impact, promote energy efficiency, and integrate climate-resilient design principles.

• Champions digital transformation in facility operations by leveraging smart building technologies, data analytics, and integrated systems to enhance performance visibility and decision-making.

• Engages with internal counterparts and senior managers across divisions and bureaus to ensure facility services meet operational needs, reflect strategic priorities, and contribute to a cohesive user experience.

• Builds and maintains relationships with host authorities, landlords, UN entities, and external vendors to ensure smooth operations, regulatory compliance, and the advancement of shared infrastructure objectives.

• Represents UNHCR in inter-agency coordination platforms, task forces, and working groups related to facilities, workplace optimization, and sustainability, contributing to joint initiatives and knowledge exchange.

• Leads the shift toward modern, flexible workplaces by introducing collaborative spaces, creative rooms, and hybrid-friendly layouts, while supporting the cultural change needed to make new ways of working successful.

• Supports the development of healthy, collaborative, inclusive, and accessible office workspaces, integrating staff feedback, workplace trends, and operational realities into design and delivery.

• Contributes to the global network of UNHCR facility managers by fostering peer exchange, collaboration, and the dissemination of lessons learned and good practices across duty stations and regions.

• Promotes a culture of service excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement in facility management by introducing mechanisms for client feedback, performance monitoring, and innovation.

• 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.

Minimum Qualifications

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

Engineering,                       Business Administration,                  Architecture,                       or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses

Not specified.

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Experience in progressively responsible functions in project management, administration, infrastructure 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 projects including those with a significant technical component. Experience in engaging and fostering relationships with host governments.

                                                                                                                                       

Desirable

A dual background in both administration and the technical/engineering field is considered an advantage. 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 ability 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-Facility Management

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.

Competency Requirements

All jobs at UNHCR require six core competencies and may also require managerial competencies and/or cross-functional competencies. The six core competencies are listed below.

Core Competencies

Accountability

Communication

Organizational Awareness

Teamwork & Collaboration

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies

Empowering and Building Trust

Judgement and Decision Making

Leadership

Managing Performance

Managing Resources

Strategic Planning and Vision

Cross-Functional Competencies

Analytical Thinking

Technological Awareness

Policy Development and Research

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.

For this position the ideal candidate should have:

- Experience in overseeing infrastructure-related projects in both field and headquarters contexts.
- Experience in managing facilities across multiple locations, including in a multi-country setting, ensuring high standards of functionality, safety, and cross-site synergy.
- A dual background in technical/engineering and administrative fields, enabling effective handling of the specific challenges of this role.
- Solid IT background, allowing efficient oversight of future enhancements and the development strategy for UNIFIER.
- Hands-on expertise in financial planning, budgeting, contract management and resource optimization.
- Demonstrated experience in engaging and fostering relationships with host country authorities, particularly in the context of complex projects.
- Strong leadership and coordination skills, with demonstrated success in aligning diverse teams, vendors, and stakeholders to deliver operational excellence and sustained performance improvements.

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

This role sits within DRM and reports to the Head of the Global Infrastructure Services Unit under the Global Mobility and Infrastructure Service. It ensures cohesive, high-quality facility services that support UNHCR’s HQ/GSC operations and staff well-being. In the current financial context, the role focuses on continuing cost-efficiency and resource optimization across infrastructure operations, ensuring value-for-money through data-driven planning, performance tracking, and the elimination of unnecessary expenditures. The role also entails driving innovation and sustainability initiatives in facility management as well as engaging stakeholders to deliver forward-thinking, integrated solutions. In this context, building and maintaining strong relationships with host authorities, landlords, UN entities, and external vendors is critical to ensuring seamless operations, regulatory compliance, and advancing shared infrastructure objectives.

The role involves ensuring the effective delivery of infrastructure services at Headquarters and globally. This includes managing infrastructure and facilities for the various HQ locations, providing engineering and design services to UNHCR operations worldwide, as well as serving as custodian of the UNIFIER portal.

Living and Working Conditions:

Additional Qualifications

Skills

GB-Facility Management, GB-Property records administration, IT-Computer Assisted Design Software (e.g. AutoCAD), IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software, MG-Project Management, SO-Presentation skills, SP-Infrastructure Development/Construction Management/Property Management

Bachelor of Arts: Architecture, Bachelor of Arts: Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts: Engineering

Certifications

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Policy research & development, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration, Technological awareness

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Flash Vacancy Notice

Additional Information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance