Director of Finance and Operations

Senior Finance & Economy

Overview

Lead the financial and operational strategy of the Office of Quartet

You have:

• Advanced degree MA preferably in business administration, human resources, or related field. Bachelor’s degree with additional two years of experience can be accepted in leu of MA.
• At least 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in the financial, HR, administration and/or operations field is required.
• Experience working within non-profits (academia, international organizations, policy institutes or similar organizations) is preferred.
• Proven experience in managing and supervising teams of support staff is required
• Experience and knowledge of UN policies and procedures is an asset.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English is required.

Contract

This is a IICA-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's an external contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-3 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

The Director of Finance and Operations (DFO) is a key member of the OQ Operations Management Group (OMG) and is responsible for all aspects of finance, human resources, operations, and organizational development of the Office. The DFO works closely with the Head of Mission, the Deputy Head of Mission, the Senior Coordinator Advisor and the OQ Programme teams to ensure optimal conditions to implement the OQ’s development agenda.

Besides being responsible for the day-to-day financial and operational management of the OQ, the DFO serves as an advisor to the Head of Mission on matters of policy decisions regarding human resources, strategy and organizational effectiveness within the office. On the latter, the DFO works in close coordination with the Deputy Head of Mission and the Senior Coordinator Advisor.

The DFO reports to the HOM and works in close coordination with the DHOM and the Senior Coordinator Advisor. The DFO supervises the support staff and oversees the partnership between UNOPS and the OQ.

Functional Responsibilities

Specifically, the DFO will:

1. Provide, with and through the support team, full operational support to the OQ team:

• Manage all support functions, including logistics, operations, admin, transport and security staff.
• Advise on OQ operational matters, including contractual matters.
• Oversee the OQ’s partnership with UNOPS, striving for efficiency and effectiveness.
• Craft OQ business processes, map and establish internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in finance, human resources management, procurement, logistics and ICT services.
• Ensure proper operational functioning of Jerusalem, Ramallah and Gaza offices, together with the management of sub-lease agreements and relationships with other co-tenants
• Monitor the OQ operating environment, timely adjust operations as required, and advise on risk assessment.
• Share operational information (across all topic areas) with senior management, where relevant.

1. Manage the OQ financial resources, including the supervision of OQ finance activities and advising on budget allocation (in close coordination with UNOPS):

• Prepare and constantly monitor the OQ annual master budget, including monitoring of variances and their justifications.
• Ensure that funding to the OQ is used and allocated in a coherent and sustainable way, in line with donors’ strategic priorities and operational requirements.
• Ensure that donors’ contributions are spent according to the OQ HR and procurement plan, which consolidates each sector’s HR and procurement plan, and highlight any deviations.
• Build and maintain a financial structure that makes contributions complementary each other in a homogeneous and coherent system.
• Ensure proper planning and expenditure tracking, per project, per sector and for the OQ as a whole.
• Oversee the financial reporting, according to each donor’s requirements, the OQ annual financial reporting, and auditing of financial resources.
• Ensure OQ incomes and expenses are correctly reflected in the OneUNOPS system.
• Ensure proper cost-sharing of common services with other organizations.
• Maintain a consistent financial environment for the development of OQ projects.
• Organize and oversee cash management processes, including liquidity management.
• Monitor financial exception reports for unusual activities, transactions and investigating anomalies or unusual transactions.
• Advise on budgetary needs and allocation.
• Work with the DHOM and the Senior Coordinator Advisor on donor relations, including keeping an open channel of communication and collaboration with donors on all funding related matters and preparing documentation required for OQ funding and meeting with donors, as required. Represent the OQ in these discussions.

1. Manage human resources aspects and supervise OQ HR activities:

• Work with the DHOM and the Senior Coordinator Advisor to determine OQ staffing requirement.
• Oversee recruitment of new staff, including appropriate use of contractual modalities.
• Manage amendments and renewal of human resource contracts.
• Oversee all HR matters that have/may have implications or profiles of misconduct, including abuse of authority, harassment, etc. Provide proper follow up and bring the issues to close.
• Guide implementation of secondments to the OQ and liaise with governments that second Advisers to the OQ.
• Establish and maintain performance management systems, as required.
• Oversee the regular update of the Staff Handbook.

1. Manage procurement of goods and services (through UNOPS):

• Determine OQ purchasing requirements.
• Work with the UNOPS procurement team on tendering processes and evaluation, managing contracts and liaising with contractors, and other procurement matters.
• Manage OQ assets, facilities, and logistical services, including insurance arrangements.

1. Effective and timely contribution to relevant OQ reports and briefings (written and oral). Prepare briefings and updates for HOM on financial, funding, HR and operational matters as required.

2. Supervision of the Transport unit, taken over from the Security Coordinator. This includes: supervision of the team of senior drivers, fleet management, and cost-effective use of transport.

3. Represents the OQ at the UN OMT meetings.

4. Contribute constructively to the work of the OQ in general.

The work is of a highly confidential nature and the DFO must maintain the highest standards of confidentiality.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

Advanced degree MA preferably in business administration, human resources, or related field. Bachelor’s degree with additional two years of experience can be accepted in leu of MA.

Experience:

• At least 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in the financial, HR, administration and/or operations field is required.

  • Experience working within non-profits (academia, international organizations, policy institutes or similar organizations) is preferred.
  • Proven experience in managing and supervising teams of support staff is required
  • Experience and knowledge of UN policies and procedures is an asset.

  Organization Skills and Abilities:

• Highly skilled in stakeholder management: Customer-orientation and sound judgment; ability to consistently demonstrate a professional manner in dealing with individuals at all levels, both internally and externally to the organisation; strong display of professional integrity; high level of advisory skills to senior management and to peers.

  • Excellent communication skills: Strong writing ability; ability to work under tight deadlines, juggling multiple competing tasks and prioritising demands.
  • Strong team player: Ability to work independently and in teams; ability to interact with high-level individuals across a range of organisations; flexible as tasks and priorities shift; respect and proven ability to work and strive in a multicultural environment
  • Other: Strong competence with using standard office software packages; high-level user skills in MS Excel.

  Language Requirements:

• Excellent command of written and spoken English is required

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization. Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Contract type, level and duration

The contract for this position will be issued by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) on behalf of its Client the Office of Quartet pursuant to an agreement between both parties whereby the successful candidate's contractual rights and responsibilities will be managed by the Office of Quartet (OQ) office and not by UNOPS. Contract type: International Individual Contract IICA or Local Individual Contract LICA

Contract level: ICS 11/ IICA 3 Contract duration: 6 months with the intention to extend

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

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Potential interview questions

Added 3 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: jobs.unops.org