Operations Officer (NO-2), FT, Sokoto - Nigeria, WCAR

Hold operations functions to promote performance and efficiency.

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UNICEF - United Nations Children's Fund

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Application deadline 6 days ago: Tuesday 30 Jun 2026 at 22:55 UTC

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Overview

Hold operations functions to promote performance and efficiency.

You have:

  • A University Degree (Bachelor’s) in business management, financial management, accounting, public finance, or related fields is required.
  • A minimum of 2 years of professional experience in operations management area, including budget and financial management is required.
  • Proficient/Fluent level of English is required.
  • Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is desirable.
  • Knowledge of corporate ERPs, IPSAS, experience in a large private or public company, or client-oriented work units is an asset.
  • Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development and humanitarian contexts is desirable.

Contract

This is a NO-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. More about NO-2 contracts.

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 for as long as we are needed. 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 professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

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

For every child, the right to a future.

How can you make a difference?

As a Strategic Business Partner, you will be accountable for operations functions, facilitate change, provide risk informed, solution-focused analysis, advice and services and contribute to programme and management decisions for delivering results for children in specific operational contexts.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks

  • Valuing People: Implement people resources strategies to promote technical competence and foster career progression and retention of a “fit for purpose”/ agile workforce
  • Valuing Money: Champion strategic resources to achieve organizational goals and ensure Value for Money (VfM)
  • Valuing Risk Management: Enhance Risk Management to increase organizational performance and strengthen internal control
  • Valuing Systems and Structures: Ensure further operational centralization and optimization for maximized efficiency gains
  • Valuing Partners: Strengthening internal and external-facing partnerships and leveraging UNICEF’s oversight and understanding of financial management across all areas of the office.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Operations Officer NO-2.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

  • Education: A University Degree (Bachelor’s) in one of the following areas is required: Business management, Financial management, Accounting, Public Finance, Related operations function (Supply Chain, Human Resources, Information Technology, International Business, Project management, etc.). A professional license from internationally recognized institutions is an asset.
  • Work Experience: A minimum of 2 years of professional experience, at the national and/or international level, is required, specifically 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.
  • Skills: Emotional Intelligence, Financial Assurance, Microsoft Office, Provide Technical Support, Managing complexity and change.
  • Language Requirements: Proficient/Fluent level of English is required.

Desirables:

  • Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language.
  • Knowledge of corporate ERPs, IPSAS, experience in a large private or public company, private sector fundraising, experience in supporting successful client-oriented work units is an asset.
  • Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

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…

(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 (8) Nurtures, leads and manages people

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

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 is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. 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.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF's Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

Visa residence requirements: i.e. UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.

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.

Potential interview questions

How have you implemented strategies to promote technical competence in previous roles? The interviewer wants to understand your experience in enhancing workforce potential and retention. Provide examples of initiatives you have led that resulted in improved employee skills and career progression.
Can you describe a situation where you had to manage ambiguity and complexity? This question assesses your ability to navigate challenging situations and make sound decisions. Pro members can see the explanation.
Describe a time when you had to build and maintain a partnership. What approach did you take? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What strategies do you use to ensure value for money in your financial management practices? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you approach change management in an organization? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
In what ways have you demonstrated emotional intelligence in your previous positions? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you talk about your experience with managing risks in an operational setting? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What tools and technology have you used in financial assurance? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 20 days ago - Updated 6 days ago - Source: unicef.org