UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, a calling.

We are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not a job, it’s a calling.

UNICEF’s Global Shared Services Centre (GSSC) in Budapest, Hungary provides services to UNICEF offices globally in the areas of Finance, Human Resources, Payroll and Information Technology. For more information about GSSC please visit our webpage at Global Shared Services Centre (GSSC)  and check this YouTube.

How can you make a difference?

The Operations Officer function is a strategic Business Partner role, assuring the best use of UNICEF`s assets in alignment with sound management practices, office priorities and goals to deliver results for children.

The GSSC`s Operations section plays an important role in providing operational services and support to UNICEF staff based at the GSSC including other division`s co-located colleagues. In close collaboration with the Operations Manager, the incumbent will be accountable for various operational functions (facility management, assets, safety and security), change and risk management, financial and budgetary management in strict compliance with the organization`s rules and regulations, strategy, plans and decisions.

Key functions, accountabilities, and related duties/tasks

1. Efficient operational, financial and budget management
2. Responsible for effective functional areas of administrative services; facilities management, administration, asset, safety and security and allocation of computer equipment
3. Conducts policy interpretation and application
4. Maintains fiduciary integrity/responsibility for funds and assets
5. Engages in strategic planning and policy formulation in the areas of operations
6. Prepares all aspects related to the operational budget
7. Ensures compliance, fraud prevention and internal control

For further information please consult the detailed Job description.

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

Education:

• Completed first level university degree (Bachelor degree) in accounting, financial management, public/business administration, or any other relevant field is required.
• Formal training in finance/accounting or CIPFA is considered an asset.

Experience:

• A minimum of two (2) years of professional experience in operations management including budget, financial management and reporting; facilities management; administration and procurement at the national and/or international level is required.
• Experience in working with corporate ERPs (Enterprise Resource Planning), SAP is required.
• Prior hands-on experience in managing teams and supervisory skills is required.
• Work experience in any UN agency, international organization, large private or public company is highly desirable.
• Experience working in shared services/business support centers is highly desirable.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications is required.

Language requirements:

• Fluency in English (verbal and written) is required.
• Knowledge of any other UN Language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) is considered an asset.

As an advocate for every child, you will receive

• A competitive salary which is exempted from paying national income taxes in Hungary on United Nations emoluments.
• Hybrid work opportunity
• Holidays and leave, including 30 days of annual leave per year
• Parental leave
• Dependency allowance
• United Nations sponsored medical insurance plan
• Pension plan
• Optional life insurance plan
• Access to professional development and learning programs, online learning and learning path
• Access to staff well-being support
• Access to career development support

Conditions of International Professional Posts

International Professional (IP) staff are recruited internationally and serve in duty stations outside their country of nationality. They hold leadership, managerial or specialist functions.

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

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1), Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2) , Works Collaboratively with others (2), Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2), Innovates and Embraces Change (2), Thinks and Acts Strategically (2), Drive to achieve impactful results (2), Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here

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 benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks 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 promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.

All selected candidates will, therefore, 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.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.