Operations Assistant

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

Afghanistan is facing multiple crises such as COVID-19, the impacts of drought and floods, and rapidly increasing poverty and food insecurity. On top of this, since the return of the Taliban to power, after the 15th of August 2021 and given the increasing numbers of internally displaced people, the operational and programmatic context for UNDP in Afghanistan has changed significantly. The level of programmatic and institutional risk is now much higher and hence saving livelihoods is critical for reducing the demand for humanitarian aid and emergency relief. The gradual development progress made over the last 20 years, including gains in the achievement of human rights, education, gender equality, health, social protection, and livelihoods, are at risk of being lost, especially for women and other vulnerable groups. These factors not only impact the economy, human security, and social cohesion, but are potential drivers of further conflict and violent extremism. UNDP has contributed to the gradual expansion of development investments across the country. From this experience we have seen that neither a one-size-fits-all approach, nor a fragmented sector-based approach has been effective. An integrated, innovative, and highly flexible approach is needed, one that puts people first, targets the most vulnerable and meets local needs by focusing on saving livelihoods, the fundamental underpinning of UNDP’s Integrated Local Socio-Economic Recovery and Community Resilience building efforts. UNDP’s knowledge and experience are being drawn on to develop and implement an immediate approach to local socio economic and social recovery and community resilience building in Afghanistan through the development emergency approach called as Area Based Approach to Development Emergency Initiatives (ABADEI).

Under the overall guidance from the General Operations Specialist, and will undertake the following tasks:

• Assist the operations in the Country Office (CO) in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations and policies and strategies Provide professional expertise and technical support to the General Services Unit. • Provide support in drafting the annual workplan for the Operations Team and oversee its implementation and monitoring. • Participate in review meetings and provide technical support to the assessment of the managerial and operational capacities of implementing partners in collaboration with the Programme and technical team. • Preparation of PO and non-PO vouchers for recurring services. Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Atlas. • Creation of requisitions in Atlas for General Services Unit, register of goods receipt in Atlas. • Ensures maintenance of common services/office space management to ensure integrated activities on common services and implementation of the UN reform; • Ensures Lease Agreement of the premises/property is always valid; • Monitors updated schedule of renovation/cleaning/painting of office building scheduled and all office facilities hygienic and in smooth and in running conditions at all times; • Organization of arrangement of shipment and transportation of equipment either by air, sea or Land. • Liaising with freight forwarders on shipment and maintaining the shipment Log. • Support the Bi-annual physical inventory verification exercise to ensure accuracy of records and location of property ensure that managers sign off on the physical count and correctness of the inventory system database. • Ensure a continuous flow of information between the Country Office and Regional Office; Oversee all operations activities, • Any other tasks assigned by Supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers Programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day). • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country. • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results, and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc. • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers. • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

• Professionalism • Integrity • Teamwork and respect for diversity • Commitment to continuous learning Communication • Flexibility • Accountability • Communication • Empowering Others • Integrity • Planning and organizing • Self-Management

Office management, operations, or finance. • Experience leading a team is an asset. • Experience in working in a computer environment using multiple office software packages, • experience in handling of web-based management systems and ERP systems, preferably PeopleSoft. • Experience of accrual accounting, IPSAS or IFRS is an asset. • Professional background in programming/ projects management is an asset.

This position is open for local applicants and UNDP will not provide any accommodation facilities.