UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, [hope]

This post resides within the Administrative Management Services (AMS) Section of DFAM, and reports to the Administrative Manager, Travel & General Services Unit. The incumbent is expected to coordinate the travel of Staff Members on authorized travel, including the issuance of the Travel Authorization, preparation of travel documents and visas. Also verifies itineraries, routings, and ticket costs, including examining travel claims for accuracy and conformity to authorization prior to final settlement, when required. Travel includes official missions, repatriation, transfer, home leave, family visit, education grant travel, and arrangements for consultants and candidates.

How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision of the Administrative Manager, Travel & General Services Unit, the incumbent shall:
1. Responsible for monitoring airline rates submitted by the travel agent by utilizing an airline global distribution system (SABRE) and air tariffs. Recommending the most economical route available taking into consideration the official itinerary, UN/UNICEF Regulations as they pertain to the specific travel indicated, preferred carrier agreements as they impact on cost savings within guidelines set forth in the Staff Rules, HR Manual through circulars, or by precedent.

2. Reviews travel requests to guarantee proper completion. Consults requesting offices for any clarification/ correction. Resolves problems between the travel agency and the traveller in cases where there is a conflict between traveler’s plans and the authorized entitlements by explaining to the Staff Member the pertinent regulations and rules and by suggesting various alternatives.

3. Analyzes, examines, and investigates all travel claims:
a. Verifies that travel has taken place in accordance with the Travel Authorization by checking approved itinerary against actual travel: checks stopovers whether official or personal checks whether official vehicles provided; verifies that approved DSA rates are in accordance with ICSC DSA circulars in effect at time of travel’ ensures that personal days have not been included in DSA calculations.
b. Ensures that the Travel Claim is accompanied by supporting documentation including the TA, used and unused ticket stubs, boarding passes receipts for authorized expenditures and where no receipts are available, an explanation for the expenditure.
c. Reviews any additional expenditures which are not part of the original entitlement such as hotel overages, airport taxes, official telephone bills and excess baggage charges to ensure they fall within the guidelines of UNICEF Administrative Rules and Regulations before submitting for payment.
d. Deducts travel advance amounts indicated on the original Travel Authorization from settlement.
e. Refers any discrepancies to the claimant for amendment and upon conformity submits to Chief of Section for approval of payment.
f. Requests refunds of cancelled tickets or unused portions of tickets issued in New York as well as in the field from Travel Agent, Airlines, or field offices after calculating fare on used portion against actual fare paid. Follows-up on refunds to ensure that all credits due to UNICEF are received in a timely manner.

4. Determines travel cost to the organization after calculation of ticket costs, terminal expenses, daily substance allowances, and shipment costs. Prepares appropriate travel authorization.

5. Serves as Level 2 Support for all global e-Travel inquiries in Service Gateway. In the event GSSC Customer Care Team is unable to resolve a case, it will be transferred to the NYHQ travel team for further review and resolution.

6. Monitor security conditions worldwide through Personnel Policy and Services Section, and security Bulletins to ensure U.N. or appropriate clearances are obtained prior to releasing Travel Authorization. Responds to inquiries regarding clarifications on UN Regulations and Rules and travel related administrative issuances as well as airline rules and regulations. Drafts replies to memoranda, cables, letters for the signature of the Administrative Manager Travel & General Services Unit.

7. Liaise with Travel Management Company (TMC) for policy compliance and ensure they provide innovative options, prompt response and superior customer service for all UNICEF travelers.

8. Provides unparalleled customer service and full traveler support to NYHQ staff for ticketing, changes, cancellations, re-bookings, re-issuing, refunds, and solutions during ongoing travel restrictions.

9. Manages all trip requests via Service Gateway to ensure timely resolution of TA administration including posting, amendments, claims, and overall resolution of traveler requests.

10. Maintains timely response to all inquiries from HQ and field offices.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

• Education: A university degree (equivalent to a Bachelor ‘s degree) in Business Management, and Travel Related Services is required.
  Work Experience:
  -A minimum of five (5) to six (6) years of demonstrated experience in the international travel industry, preferably in servicing corporate travel driven by travel policy and duty of care compliance, is required.
  -Experience using global distribution system (i.e., SABRE, Amadeus…etc.) is required.
  -Experience in understanding and implementing corporate discounts offered by airlines, hotels, car companies and other travel /hospitality service providers is required.
  -Experience in UNICEF/UN Travel Units is highly desirable.
  -Experience within the airline industry making international travel arrangements is highly desirable.
  -Recent Travel Focal Point experience may be substituted.
• Language Requirements:
  Fluency in English (verbal and written) is required.  Knowledge of another UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) is considered highly desirable.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:
All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

As per 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.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.