• This position is located in Beijing, P.R. China for the United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) within the Department of Operational Support. The incumbent will report to the UNPA Sales and Marketing Team Lead in New York under the overall direction of the Chief of UNPA.

Responsibilities:

Within delegated authority, the Sales/Marketing Assistant will be responsible for the overall sales, revenue earned and all matters regarding markets and products development, promotion, Chinese language website maintenance, order fulfillment, correspondences and customer services of the United Nations stamps program in the People’s Republic of China.

Promotion/Marketing:

• Researches, compiles and verifies background material for promotional material; drafts promotional copy for use in different marketing channels, including advertising, direct mail, Internet and e-mail. Proofreads copy written by other colleagues and/or contractors.
• Conceptualizes and works with UNPA Graphic and Communication Team to create graphic material for varied print and electronic media projects such as stamps, envelopes, folders, postcards, packaging materials, brochures, catalogues, flyers, posters, and online newsletters. Research for local vendors, obtain cost estimates and supervise the delivery of services and products when required.
• Translate information of new UNPA products into Chinese for promotion, marketing and the UNPA website and other online sale platforms;; analyzes sale statistics from various sale platforms and prepares charts and graphs.
• Coordinates multiple marketing and promotional programmes to promote the sales of UN stamps/products as set out in the UNPA Programme of Issue (e.g. advertising, websites, direct mail, exhibits, and market research); prepares schedules and cost estimates; liaises with external vendors, graphic design staff, and other UN staff as required; monitors and evaluates responses to promotional programmes.
• Work with various UN colleagues to administer and monitor contractual agreements; verifies invoices for payment processing, review of bank deposits for submission to revenue accounts; participation in recruitment process for contract staff, etc.
• Performs and supervises quality of data entry of sales and other data into in-house databases; provides periodic reports.
• Manages and supervises marketing staff and/or business partners responsible for carrying out different sale, marketing and promotional activities.
• Coordinates the Section’s activities with other UN Departments, Agencies and Programmes involved in the sales of UN stamps and other UNPA products.
• Coordinates the inventory of UN stamps including incoming and outgoing shipments, liaises with distribution and dispatch offices and annual inventory count and reconciliation.
• Performs other duties as required.

Sales/Order Fulfillment:

• Manages and supervises the day-to-day operations and staff of a unit responsible for functions related to the order fulfillment and customer service.
• Reviews, plans, prioritizes and assigns work; develops internal operating procedures and guidelines; supervises, coaches and trains subordinate staff.
• Handles credit applications and opening of accounts for new customers; researches inquiries and prepares/signs off on relevant communications; monitors status of accounts, investigates discrepancies and initiates action of correcting inconsistencies, identifies issues and recommends actions to supervisor on problem accounts.
• Accepts and processes orders (including online/web, individual customers, dealers/distributors and standing orders) for the assigned sales areas; receives, reviews and enters orders into the relevant UNPA systems; communicates delivery schedule; coordinates and follows-up with relevant units to ensure timely delivery and shipping or provision of on-line access, etc.; sends notices/invoices, reminders; responds to questions on status of orders.
• Investigates claims on orders, handles returns, and ensures appropriate disposition, adjustments, exchange or refunds; gathers supporting documentation, reconciles discrepancies and submits to supervisor for appropriate action.
• Coordinates specific order fulfillment functions.
• Monitors operations and recommends changes to improve revenue production, payment of accounts, client services, etc., and initiates new procedures as required.
• Manages sales to agents and distributors; evaluates new customer account requests; analyzes their needs and credit worthiness.
• Monitors customer feedback; liaises with UNPA Headquarters teams; identifies and recommends selective stamp issues for promotion to customers including standing orders/on-line customers.

Work implies frequent interaction with the following:

• Staff members at all levels in coordinating offices across the organization (e.g. accounting, procurement, documents distribution, security, building management, conference services/events, sales & marketing, finance and administration, etc.).
• UN offices, UN agencies and field missions.
• Embassies, NGOs, non-profit and other external academic and commercial organizations.
• Media Executives and Production Managers.
• Customers, the general public, agents, wholesalers and retailers, mailing contractors, etc.

Results Expected:

• Provides reliable substantive administrative, research and other specialized support in the promotion and sale of UN stamps and products. Shows initiative in the identification and resolution of complex problems. Effectively supervises staff and deliverables, where applicable. Consistently applies appropriate policies, guidelines and procedures. Effectively and in a timely manner, liaises and interacts with colleagues and concerned parties internally and externally.

Education:

• A High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job - Specific Qualification:

• A test and a Competency Based Interview, including the GGST for the general service, is required.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in sales, marketing, publishing, advertising, promotional activities, order fulfilment, customer service in a revenue-generating operation is required.
• Experience working with sale and order fulfilment systems, online store, and Chinese social media platforms are required.
• Knowledge and experience with the philatelic market and major players in China is required.
• Past involvements with retail sales, customer services and exhibitions in China are desirable.
• Prior work experience with the United Nation organizations or agencies are desirable.

Languages:

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
• For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English and Chinese Mandarin are required.
• Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.