Operations Officer, NOB, Managua, Nicaragua

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 promotes the rights and welfare of all children and adolescents in everything we do. Together with our allies, we work in 190 countries and territories to transform this commitment into practical actions that benefit all children, especially focusing our efforts on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded, worldwide.

UNICEF works to put the rights and well-being of the most disadvantaged children at the heart of the social, political, and economic agenda, in line with our equity focus, working across our organization and with our partners in government, civil society and the private sector to support shifts in public policy, fuel social engagement, and increase investment for children.

For information of the work of our organization, please visit our websites: UNICEF, UNICEF LAC Region and UNICEF Nicaragua

For every child, hope UNICEF Nicaragua began the current five-year Cooperation Programme with the Government of Nicaragua on January 2019. This Cooperation Programme was achieved through a coordinated effort between Government Institutions and the UNICEF team. During this process an analysis of the situation of children and adolescents was made, and three priorities were identified. The cooperation cycle will prioritize the following three components: child survival and development, equitable and quality education, and protection of children against violence.

In line with national priorities, the Cooperation Programme will have national coverage, with a higher focus in the most vulnerable areas of the country.

How can you make a difference? Purpose of the Job As a Strategic Business Partner, the incumbent 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. The Operations Officer will accomplish this by:

- Facilitating services in the functional areas of operations support: budget, financial management and reporting, facilities management, administration, supply and logistics management, information and communications technology, human resources, and safety and security. - Supporting the line manager to implement career development, opportunities for staff. - Acting as member of relevant Senior Management Teams, representing the organizational risks, governance systems and policies, and supporting results-based management. - Understanding business needs for the office, to propose viable solutions aimed at value for money. - Providing contribution to CPD, CPMP, AMP and support to Results Based Management and implementation using Value for Money criteria. - Supporting the fundamentals of ICT management, information security and controls. - Supporting supply and logistics strategies and interventions to meet programmatic needs while ensuring Value for Money (VfM), including procurement of fit for purpose products and services. - Providing regular feedback on risks and achievements of operations functions in the office. - Supporting the management of office premises and facilities with a specific focus on inclusive accessibility, eco sustainability and common premises. - Supporting the country office during external and internal audit reviews, contributing with audit observations and monitoring implementation of recommendations. - Facilitating business transactions processed by GSSC from a perspective of Efficiency, Performance, Risk Management and Fraud prevention. - Supporting the management of PSFR operations, where applicable.

Key functions and accountabilities The Operations Officer will be entrusted with the following five pillars, the core focus of all operations functions.

1. Valuing People Implement people resources strategies 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 related to people management and office culture. - Support training strategy and requisite plans 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.

2. 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 the financial oversight management, monitoring and reporting of all the country programme budget. - Support implementation of various modalities of valuing resources through financing modalities such as budgeting and pre-financing modalities for supplies, cash-based transfer etc. - Implement supply plan for the office and stay abreast of the regional strategies.

3. 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. - Contribute and participate in testing of business continuity plans to ensure UNICEF organizational resilience to disaster, risks and staff safety and security as well as emergency preparedness and response to humanitarian situations. - Participate in review of internal controls and policies/guidance included in the regulatory framework, support appropriate implementation 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. - Support mitigation of risks of engagement with external partners via appropriate, risk-informed due diligence.

4. Valuing Systems and Structures Ensure further operational centralization and optimization for maximized efficiency gains - Participate in the review of Operations processes and recommend measures to minimize cost, reduce duplication of work, and maximize efficiencies while creating an environment of smarter controls to render the organization ready to respond to programme needs. - Contribute to improving IT-enabled business processes to increase productivity and collaboration, better knowledge management, and ensure effective use of UNICEF assets.

5. 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. - 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. - Contribute to UNICEF Office resource mobilization through programme proposals, written financial reporting, and analysis of discrepancies. - Engage as 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 an advocate for every child you will have…

Education: - A Bachelor’s Degree in one of the following areas is required: business management, financial management, accounting, public Finance, or related operations function such as supply chain, human resources, information technology, international business, project management, etc. - Additional courses and certifications in more than two of the above-mentioned areas will be considered an asset. - A professional license from internationally recognized institutions is an asset.

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 and human resources. - Candidates with experience in more than two of the above-mentioned operations management areas will have an advantage. - Experience in a UN system agency, large private or public company, or experience working in a developing country and/or humanitarian/ emergency context is an asset. - Experience in working with corporate ERPs (Enterprise Resource Planning) and IPSAS (International Public Sector Accounting Standards) is highly desirable. - Understanding of Results Based Management is a requirement. - Experience in supporting successful client-oriented work units is an asset. - Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications is required, advance knowledge will be considered an advantage. - Candidates with advance knowledge of technological tools [IT savvy] will have an advantage. - Excellent knowledge of operations related tools [PowerBI, etc.] will be an asset.

Languages: - Fluency in English and Spanish is required.

Other skills: - Emotional intelligence - Managing complexity and change

For every Child, you demonstrate… UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and the following core competencies: Nurtures, Leads and Manages People, Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness, Works Collaboratively with others, Builds and Maintains Partnerships, Innovates and Embraces Change, Thinks and Acts Strategically, Drive to achieve impactful results, and Manages ambiguity and complexity.

To view our values and competency framework please visit the following links: Our Values and Our Competencies.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.

Remarks: This is a National Officer position, opened only for Nationals of Nicaragua.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.