For Every Child…a Sustainable Future

UNICEF is pleased to launch a Generic Vacancy Announcement for the Chief, Strategic Operations & Planning Talent Group P5 (Roster). This Strategic Business Partner role is under the general guidance of the Division Director at HQ, Deputy/Regional Director at Regional Offices or Team leader/Coordinator for Special Programmes in country offices. The incumbent will be responsible for the management of cost-effective, efficient and results driven strategic operations in support of division/regional/special programmes management, administration and implementation of the work related to office planning. S/he will lead and guide technical and operations internal planning of divisional/regional/special programmes’ activities in support of effective implementation of the workplan and R/OMP.

This role generally covers functions such as Senior Operations Officer, Senior Manager – Finance & Admin, Chief Finance, Chief Finance and Admin, Chief Admin, Chief Planning & Budget, Chief Internal Controls and/or Risk Management, Deputy Team Leader for Special Programmes, etc. The incumbent will also guide and support a group of professional staff to manage and deliver services in the above-mentioned areas of responsibility, enabling operational excellence, change management, risk informed solutions and better results for Children in a large office at HQ/Region/Country Special Programmes level.

For every child, commitment 

For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children’s survival, protection and development. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

“UNICEF humanitarian programmes address the urgent needs of children affected by crises in the short- and medium-term, while its development programmes contribute to reducing their needs, vulnerabilities and risks in a sustainable and longer-term manner. Both therefore contribute to delivering the Sustainable Development Goals for the world’s most disadvantaged children.’’

For every child, dedication

UNICEF is seeking talented applicants for a placement in the Chief, Strategic Operations & Planning Talent Group P-5 level.

In its current structure, UNICEF has approximately 70 similar roles covering operations and planning functions worldwide of which, 40 are at the P-5 level. Following a thorough screening and vetting process, successful candidates will be placed in the Talent Group P-5 for an indefinite period until they are appointed to a post. Talent Groups (Rosters) at UNICEF are exclusive lists of pre-vetted, highly qualified professionals that can be considered for a direct selection when the positions become available.

For every child, fair chance 

How can you make a difference?

The Chief, Strategic Operations & Planning position is supported by a team of general services professional staff members and consultants under the Programme and Operations sections which, carries out the implementation of non-transactional work-related Operations policy, guidance, budgeting, administration, planning and finance of the Division/Region and Country Office Special Programmes. The main functions of this role will be to:

• Acts as an Officer in Charge in the absence of the Head of Office.

• Advice, Senior Management of the division/region/country office it serves on all aspects of Operations (Finance/Budget, Contracting, Internal Controls/Risk Management, Partnerships, Administration, Planning, Systems etc.).

• Responsible for strategic financial management, efficient contracting of services, effective facilitation of implementing partnerships, achieving consistency with UN/UNICEF rules and regulations.

• Ensure consistent quality services delivery to the division/region/country office it serves. The incumbent recommends internal guidance, sets internal processes and methods to maximize the Office’s performance in operations and planning.

• Lead and guide the Operations and Planning support teams and fosters collaboration with Office, HRBP, the Planning and Budget focal points in division/region/country office to ensure consistency in application of policies with a client-oriented approach.

• Maintain a solid and efficient network with other UNICEF divisions/regions/country offices to optimize the use of organizational resources and effectively organizes them, complying with agreed business continuity standards/SLAs.

• Leads the implementation of the following five pillars of strategic operations function: Valuing People, Valuing Money, Valuing Risk Management, Valuing Systems and Structures, Valuing Partners.

Strategic Operations

• Manages services in the functional areas of operations support: planning and budgeting, financial management and reporting, contracting, implementing partnership management, facilities management, administration, supply and logistics management, information and communications technology, human resources, safety and security and convening the other programme/office functions to implement the R/OMP.

• Acts as member of the Office Leadership Team and Senior Management Teams, representing the organizational risk management, governance systems and policies perspective in office discussions, and promoting results-based management.

• Performs financial reporting and analysis around key operational areas of risk-informed decision making and supports Operations and Programme sections and teams in seeking efficient solutions for delivery of results.

• Provide key contribution to R/OMP, AMP and support to Results Based Management and implementation using Value for Money indicators.

• Supports the office during external and internal audit reviews and responds to audit observations and monitors the implementation plan of action to address the final recommendations.

• Conducts Peer Reviews and leverages governance, systems and tools to provide regular feedback on office risks management and achievements of operations improvements in line with the office scorecards.

• Participates in effective management process by providing technical advice and support to corporate committees (including PBR, Partnerships Review Committee, Management Teams, JCC, CRC, etc.).

• In liaison with the field focal points, keep the Line Manager aware and updated on Operational/Programmatic updates on policy issues directly related to UNICEF or to the humanitarian situation under the broader UN System.

Advisory and Management Center of Excellence

• Keep abreast of industry standards in management and finance. Institutionalize and share best practices and knowledge learned with global/regional colleagues to contribute to organizational development initiatives to strengthen management and operations excellence.

• Promote and support Excellence in Operations by refining the evolving profession in UNICEF in accordance with the five pillars of strategic operations.

• Participate in global strategic planning and policy changes, including formulation of operational matters; provides authoritative advice from technical, strategic operational and planning perspectives to contribute to the improvement and establishment of operational guidelines, including those that strengthen gender policy in programming and staff gender parity.

• Understands business needs of the office to anticipate challenges, propose viable/creative/innovative ideas aimed at a solution- focused approach to include value for money strategies, all underpinned by quality assurance measures.

• Resources: Champions strategic resources management to achieve organizational goals and ensure Value for Money (VfM)

• Optimizes identification and use of resources in various concrete Value for Money (VfM) areas, including eco-efficiency and inclusivity, common premises, effective costing, results-based budgeting, financial management etc.

• Educates Business Units on their role in generating and reporting VfM strategies with the goal of strategically expanding its use to major UNICEF functions.

• Leads the financial oversight management, monitoring and reporting of all the office budget – and where applicable private sector fundraising budgets, making analysis and recommendations for Director’s to take risk informed decisions.

• Advises and leads the value of resources through programme financing modalities such as budgeting and pre-financing modalities for supplies, cash-based transfer etc. along with key partners and/or government counterparts.

• Oversees Supply outcome results related to office Supply and Logistics Management and stays abreast of developments in Supply function and promotes global strategies and their implementation.

Risk Management: Enhance Risk Management to increase organizational performance and strengthen internal controls

• Ensures the office is equipped with the right skills and tools and up-to-date information to make operational and programmatic risk informed decisions and improve performance, with the support of the enterprise Governance, Risk and Compliance (eGRC) platform.

• Maintains UNICEF organizational resilience and enhance staff safety and security by ensuring operational disaster risks management addresses threats through well-formulated and tested business continuity plans, and Emergency Preparedness and Response to humanitarian situations.

• Reviews internal controls and policies/guidance included in the Regulatory Framework, provide oversight of appropriate implementation of policies and procedures and provide feedback on internal controls measures as appropriate.

• Identifies and implements mandatory anti-fraud systems, processes and actions, and shares anti-fraud achievements within the office.

• Facilitates mitigation of risks of engagement with external partners through appropriate, risk-informed due diligence.

Systems and Structures: Ensure further operational centralization and optimization for maximized efficiency gains

• Reviews key Operations processes to minimize cost, simplify and reduce duplication of work and maximize efficiencies while creating an environment of smarter risk-based controls to render the organization agile, resilient and ready to respond to office needs.

• Provides key contribution to R/OMP and review operational structures in collaboration with other groups in HQs as and when needed and the Field Strategy and Technical Support Team in DFAM.

• Coordinates and collaborate with the Global Shares Services Centre (GSSC), established to centralize the locally based operational transactions in HQ/RO/CO.

• Provides leading support to Senior Management team in implementing the Headquarters Efficiency Initiative (HQEI), working closely with the HRBP team to ensure principles in the core pillar of Valuing People are respected.

Partnerships: Strengthening internal and external-facing partnerships and leveraging UNICEF’s oversight and understanding of financial management across all areas of the office

• Contributes with technical expertise and recommendations on HACT implementation in offices, including, advice approach to undertaking programmatic visits, spot checks, follow-up actions required on result of financial assurance activities; the use and collaboration with the Supreme Audit Institution; and use of micro-assessment results including the appropriate level of capacity building in financial management.

• Partners with all Innovation teams and different sections by providing advice and recommendations on programme budgeting through involvement in programme document and support the financial impact analysis and determination of refund and amounts.

• Supports UNICEF Office resource mobilization partners from donor negotiation and formulation of partnership agreements and contracts through written financial reporting, resolve discrepancies and ensure donor accountability and transparency.

• Participates in Working Groups that fosters a positive and enabling operations environment that supports private sector fundraising and solution-focused engagement in offices (where applicable).

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s) in one of the following areas is required: Business management; Financial Management; Accounting; Public Finance; and related operations function (Supply Chain, Human Resources, Information Technology, International Business, Project management, etc.) or a full professional accounting designation (CA, ACA, ACCA, CPA, CIMA, CPFA, Expert Compatible) from an internationally recognized institute/body of accountancy with valid membership in good standing is required.

• A minimum of ten (10) years of professional experience, at the national and/or international level, is required, specifically in implementing organizational initiatives in one or more operations management area including budget; financial management and reporting; facilities management; administration; supply and logistics management; information and communication technology; human resources is required.
• Knowledge of Results Based Management is a required.

• Prior experience in the development sector or UN system/ international NGOs would be considered an asset.

• For country offices with a significant private sector fundraising operation, prior experience working with or in the private sector, and supporting private sector fundraising, is highly desirable.

• Experience in working with corporate ERPs (Enterprise Resource Planning) and IPSAS (International Public Sector Accounting Standards) is highly desirable.

• Experience in supporting successful client-oriented work units is an asset.

• Additional experience in one or more of the Audit and investigations, Safety and security, grants management or Enterprise Risk Management areas, would be desired.

• Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of another UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is considered an asset.

For every child, you demonstrate.

a) Our core values: Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability

b) Competencies: UNICEF competencies required for this post are.

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (3)

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3)

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact (3)

(4) Innovates and embraces change (3)