UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, a Champion!

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, 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. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

The Operations Associate at GS-6 level plays a critical role in supporting the organization’s operational efficiency, ensuring the smooth implementation of programs aimed at improving children’s well-being. Reporting to the Deputy Representative Operations, the Associate handles key administrative, financial, and logistical tasks, helping coordination between internal teams and external partners. This role is essential in maintaining the operational backbone that enables UNICEF Burkina Faso to deliver timely and effective interventions, particularly in a context where rapid response to humanitarian needs and compliance with organizational policies are crucial.

How can you make a difference?

This position reports to the Deputy Representative Operations with the responsibility for the management and coordination of work for the Operations Section. The role of this post is to provide administrative and secretarial support services to the Deputy Representative Operations as well as to the Unit Heads in Operations. The Operations Associate is responsible to ensure the smooth running of the Operations Section. This involves management of information and coordination of matters. The post is a key interface with a broad range of contacts including high-ranking officials, both within and outside the Organization. The post prioritizes tasks and organizes work under close guidance from the supervisor.

• Arranges appointments and maintains supervisor’s calendar, receiving high ranking visitors, places and screens telephone calls and answers queries; Organizes meetings including taking responsibility for finalization of the meeting agenda, invitations, the production and distribution of documentation, and preparation of minutes of meetings. May be required to support logistical arrangements for workshops outside the office. Distributes meeting reports and information and ensure follow-up on required action. Acts as Secretariat for several Operations functions, such as Business Continuity, and Enterprise Risk Management.
• Collects and compiles Operations management indicators for Operations meeting review.
• Research data information and prepare monthly analysis reports on office management indicators. Contribute to the preparation of progress reports by consolidating, providing and preparing financial data / tables for day-to-day use and assist in the preparation of budget and financial forecasts.
• Prepares correspondence for the supervisor’s signature as required; drafts emails, memoranda and reports via oral instructions, previous correspondence or other available information sources, in accordance with standard office procedures, and classifies and codes material relating to a number of subject matters areas, and maintains general office files both electronically and hard copies placed on files.
• Creates and maintains data in VISION for suppliers, partners, and consultants.
• Compiles leave and travel plans for the Operations section, ensuring completeness of documentation and timely reporting. Supports supervisor in logistical arrangements for official travel.
• Provides support in keeping track on audit follow up actions, initiating follow-up action with respective focal point and preparing draft progress report for supervisor’s review.
• Assists the Deputy Representative Operations in the preparation of the Country Programme Management Plans, Annual Management Plans, and annual reports.

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

Minimum requirements:

• Completion of secondary education is required. University courses in accounting, business administration, human resources, economics, or financial management, will be an asset.
• At least 6 years of progressively work experience in office management, finance, accounting, ICT, human resources, supply and administration and/or other related fields.
• Fluency in French, working knowledge of English, and knowledge local language of the duty station is required.

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

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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 measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, 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 promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will 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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

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.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.