Travel Analyst

Job title:

Travel Analyst

Company

United Nations Development Programme

Job description

Under the guidance and supervision of the Travel Manager (P4), the Travel Analyst is responsible for day-to-day management of travel activities and provides analytical support to the administration and monitoring of travel-related services ensuring high quality and accuracy of work in order to obtain the optimum travel services. He/she analyzes and interprets rules and guidelines regarding travel and entitlements and provides solutions to a wide spectrum of complex issues related to travel. The Travel Analyst ensures proper monitoring of travel expenditures and internal cost, as well as their timely and accurate billing, settlement and cost recovery. The Travel Analyst promotes a collaborative, client-focused, quality and results-oriented approach in the delivery of travel services. He/she works in close collaboration with the partner agencies, Regional Hubs, Programme and Operations Teams at HQ and in the field, and travel related vendors to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery.
UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.1) Substantively contribute to formulation and implementation of UNDP Travel strategies and policies

• Contribute to the development of travel category strategy, analysis, and policy formation, leveraging industry best practices and insights to drive continuous improvement and innovation.
• Ensures effective implementation of operational strategies and travel-related management processes.
• Analyze travel data and prepare regular and ad hoc robust travel reporting and insights. Identify trends and opportunities for travel program, as well as potential cost savings and process improvements based on analysis of travel data.
• Effectively communicate with UNDP personnel and partner agencies the end to end travel process, the logic and rationale for the importance and benefits of the travel policy and program
• Interpretation of UNDP’s travel policy, the Staff Rules, administrative circulars and financial regulations and rules on travel-related matters; take action in the best interest of the Organization and manage exceptions to travel policy

2) Oversees effective implementation and monitoring of travel-related management processes

• Coordination with travel related vendors to ensure provision of high-quality professional service and most competitive price.
• Develop and maintain appropriate training materials on travel management and processes for personnel to ensure regular delivery.
• Approval of Purchase Orders and Invoices related to UNall Travel Requests and Travel Claims to make sure they are in line with travel entitlements for personnel and meeting participants, and that the travel arrangement follow the UN rules at the most competitive prices.
• Ensure that all travel-related queries have been followed up (verbally and in writing) and action taken with tact and discretion, or have been referred to appropriate office.
• Compile summary reports and identify trends in travel service area; based on findings, recommend amendments to travel policy to ensure increased economy and cost savings for the organization.
• Proposal and in collaboration with Business Applications Developer and travel related vendors, implementation of tools to streamline and enhance the travel process for the effective delivery of policy and programme support services.
• Attend all meetings relating to travel services and management related meetings and those assigned from time to time.
• Endorsement of UN travel documents
• Serve as alternate focal person for Travel Services Section to support travel arrangements for Senior Officer and travelers requiring exceptional ticket approval, which may include work after hours.
• Develop systems and procedures for travel-related tasks to provide monitoring and quality assurance of the services.

3) Ensure an effective analysis of the reports.

• Analysis of requirements and synthesis of proposals for cost saving and reduction strategies.
• Contribution to the monthly analysis and reporting of the travel services in terms of income and expenditures.
• Preparation, review, analysis and distribution of reports including but not limited to spend analysis, compliance, and service level results.
• Review and approval of Purchase Orders and Invoices related to UNall Travel Requests and Travel Claims verifying they are in conformance with UNDP rules and regulations.
• UNall workforce case assignment

4) Promotes knowledge building and knowledge sharing

• Organization/conduct of training for the operations/programme/projects staff on travel management and development of training material
• Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in travel-related management.
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice
• Coordination of travel application testing and reporting of results
• Coaching and development of team members

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.Supervisory and Managerial responsibilities: The incumbent will supervise the work of 3 Travel Associate (G7 level).CompetenciesCore Competencies – UNDP Core Competencies can be found .

• Achieve Results- LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
• Think Innovatively – LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
• Learn Continuously – LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
• Adapt with Agility – LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
• Act with Determination – LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
• Engage and Partner- LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion – LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making

People ManagementUNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated .Cross-Functional & Technical competenciesBusiness Direction and strategy – System Thinking:

• Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

Business Management – Portfolio Management:

• Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization’s programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management

Business Management – Communication:

• Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels

Administration and Operations – Travel contract management:

• Knowledge of policy and procedures related to contract

management, incl. oversight of the Long-Term Agreement (LTA) with the Travel Management Services (TMS) provider; UN airline agreement management covering all major and rail providers; ability to negotiate airline discountsAdministration & Operations – Travel policy and procedures:

• Knowledge of travel policy and procedures; ability to interpret travel policy, the Staff Rules, administrative circulars and financial regulations and rules on travel- related matters.

Business Management – Partnership Management:

• Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.

Required Skills and ExperienceEducation:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Business Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, Public Administration, or any other relevant discipline is required. Or
• A first level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, with two additional years of qualifying experience will be considered in lieu of advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of professional experience in administration of travel at the national and/or international level is required.
• Experience and sound knowledge of UN travel policies is a distinct advantage.
• Demonstrated experience in operational issues on the ground related to humanitarian sector is desirable.
• Professional association or certification in travel management/administration will be an advantage.
• Proven experience in analyzing travel related reports is an asset.

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.DisclaimerUnder US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Expected salary

Location

New York

Job date

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 00:44:32 GMT

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