For Every Child…a Sustainable Future 

UNICEF is pleased to launch a Generic Vacancy Announcement for the Operations Manager Talent Group P-3 (Roster). The role is under general guidance of the Deputy Representative ‐ Operations, Representative or Chief Field Office, and will be responsible for ensuring effective, equitable, efficient and sustainable operational systems in the specific areas of Finance, Business Analysis, Accounts, Risk Management, Internal controls, Budgeting, Administration and Quality Assurance. The incumbent may also guide and support a group of general services and professional staff to deliver Operations services in a small country office, zonal or sub-office in support of the country programme implementation.

For every child, commitment 

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children’s rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world.

“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 Operations Manager P-3 Talent Group (Roster). The function of the Operations Manager is of critical importance in UNICEF’s structure as it ensures the overall management of country office or field office fiduciary priorities, development of specific policies as well as coordination and management of country office or field office Operations. This roster may also cover specific P-3 functions in the areas of Finance, Accounting, Risk Management, Compliance, Administration, Budgeting, Business Analysis, Quality Assurance and/or Internal Controls.

Following a thorough screening and vetting process, successful candidates will be placed in the Talent Group (Roster) at P-3 level for an indefinite period of time until they are selected and appointed to a post. Talent Groups (Roster) at UNICEF are exclusive lists of pre-vetted, highly qualified professionals that can be considered for a direct selection as the positions become available.

How can you make a difference? 

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action.

The Operations Manager reports to the Country Office (CO) Representative, Deputy Representative – Operations or Chief Field Office for general supervision and direction. The Operations Manager supports the line manager or the Office on the overall management of the CO or Field office operations functions and to lead for results, drive change, provide risk informed, solution-focused analysis, advice and services and contribute to management decisions for delivering results for children in all operational contexts.  The Operations Manager will be entrusted with the following five pillars, the core focus of all operations functions: Valuing People, Valuing Money, Valuing Risk Management, Valuing Systems and Structures, Valuing Partners.

Duties and Functions:

Valuing People: Develop people resources to promote technical competence and foster career progression and retention of a “fit for purpose”/ agile workforce

• Facilitate an environment of management excellence, staff well-being and accessibility and inclusion through implementation of strategies, policies, procedures.

• Implement solutions and advise to office management on people management and office culture.

• Coordinate the human resource development and resourcing strategies to bring about changes in knowledge, skills, abilities and mind sets for Operations staff.

• Keep abreast of industry standards in management and finance and share best practices and knowledge learned within the office.

• Support Excellence in Operations in UNICEF derived from the five strategic pillars.

Valuing Money: Champion strategic resources to achieve organizational goals and ensure Value for Money (VfM)

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

• Support Business Units on options to generate greater VfM.

• Lead the financial oversight management, monitoring and reporting of all the country programme budget – and where applicable private sector fundraising budgets; make analysis and recommendations for Representative’s and Deputy Representative’s to take risk informed decisions.

• Implement various modalities of valuing resources through financing modalities such as budgeting and pre-financing modalities for supplies, cash-based transfer etc.

• Oversee implementation of Supply plan for the office and stay abreast of the regional strategies.

Valuing Risk Management: Enhance Risk Management to increase organizational performance and strengthen internal control

• Support the office with 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.

• Update and participate in testing of business continuity plans to ensure UNICEF organizational resilience to disaster and risks and staff safety and security as well as Emergency Preparedness and Response to humanitarian situations.

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

• Support implementation mandatory anti-fraud systems, processes and actions, and share anti-fraud achievements within the office.

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

• Review and recommend simplification of Operations processes to minimize cost, reduce duplication of work and maximize efficiencies while creating an environment of smarter controls to render the organization agile, resilient and ready to respond to programme needs.

• Facilitate compliance with systems by building awareness and capacity of users, explore new ways of working – including in the context of SG Reform – and continuously improve IT-enabled business processes to increase productivity and collaboration, better knowledge management, and ensure effective use of UNICEF assets.

• Provide key contribution to CPMP and review operational structures in collaboration with Regional Chiefs of Operations and the Strategic Business Support unit in DFAM.

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

• Provide technical support and recommendations on HACT implementation, including, advice approach to undertaking 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.

• Partner with Programme by providing advice and recommendations on programme budgeting through contribution in programme document and support the financial impact analysis and determination of refund and amounts owing to the CSO.

• Support 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.

• Foster a positive and enabling operations environment that supports private sector fundraising and engagement (where applicable).

• Engage as effective stakeholders in the UN Reform, facilitating Business Operating Services (BOS) and proactively paving the way for a potential “one back office” in country offices.

To qualify as a champion for every child, you will meet following eligibility criteria:

• 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 Comptable) from an internationally recognized institute/body of accountancy with valid membership in good standing is required.

• A minimum of five (5) years of professional experience, at the national and international level, is required, specifically in implementing strategic 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.
• Experience in Results Based Management is a required.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office applications is 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.

• Additional experience in one or more of the following areas, would be desired:

1. Audit and investigations

2. Safety and security

3. Grant Management

4. Enterprise Risk Management

• Experience in a UN system agency, large private or public company, or experience working in a developing country and/or humanitarian/ emergency context is considered an asset.

• 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 considered an asset.

• Previous hands-on experience in strategic operations is considered a strong asset.
• Fluency in English is required (verbal and written).  Proficiency in another UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is considered an asset. Proficiency in Portuguese is considered as a distinct advantage.

For every child, you demonstrate

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

b) Competencies:

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (2)

• 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)

• Drives to achieve impactful results (2)

• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

Remarks:

This is a Generic Vacancy Announcement (GVA) that has been launched to populate the Operations Manager Talent Group. While a placement in the Talent Group does not guarantee a selection, it is an important resource for filling vacancies.