Operations Officer (OMT), NO-1, Kampala, Uganda, TA

Contract

This is a NO-1 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-1 contracts.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, a Fair Chance

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF and its work for children visit www.unicef.org.

How can you make a difference?

Under the general supervision of the UN Country Team (UNCT) in Uganda, the UN Operations Management Team (OMT) in Uganda drives the UN Uganda “Efficiency Agenda- with focus on increased cost avoidance, labor time efficiency and service quality” as articulated in the Uganda New Generation Business Operations Strategy 2021-2025 and approved by the UNCT. This includes the OMT’s leadership on the implementation of a coordinated, efficient and effective common operational services in alignment with the UN Secretary General’s targets for Harmonized Business Operations at the Country Level including a high quality BOS, Common Premises, Common Back Office with focus on the harmonization of all location dependent common services through a joint implementation facility, Mutual Recognition, Clients Satisfaction and Transparent Costing and Pricing Principles. The aim of the Efficiency Agenda at country level is to ensure operational collaboration and service integration toward improved programme delivery in an effective and efficient possible way for both the UN and its partners.

In this context, and under the overall guidance of the co-chairs of the Operations Management Team (OMT) as well as Head of UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, and contract administration of UNDP, the OMT Officer provides technical support to the OMT and implementation of the Efficiency Agenda.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

More specifically, the OMT Officer will be hosted at the UNRCO and be responsible for the efficient functioning of the OMT, including provision of secretariat support to the OMT, as well as provision of technical support for the implementation of the Efficiency Agenda. In doing so, he/she ensures effective cooperation in particular with RCO, Operation Managers of UN agencies providing co-chairs, and chairs of OMT working groups, and delivers against the following key results:

1. Provision of support to functioning of the OMT

• Lead organization of monthly OMT meeting by proposing agenda to co-chairs, communicating with OMT working groups for preparation, making meeting arrangements (online or physical), prepare relevant documents, and provide management support to co-chairs during the meeting.
• Take meeting minutes and present for approval in the next OMT meeting.
• Follow-up action points from the meeting in coordination with relevant forcal points as agreed in the OMT meeting.
• Prepare work plans for OMT and monitor the progress of the OMT against the agreed workplan.
• Draft co-chairs’ messages to the UN Resident Coordinator, UNCT, or any other relevant entities both internal and external.
• Communicate and follow-up with government entities regarding protocol issues that are cross-cutting across the UNCT by nature, such as tax and immigration issues, and provide advice to co-chairs and RCO on the way forward.

2. UN Common Services Management

• Lead Common Services Management including tracking of common agreements.
• In collaboration with various OMT working groups, ensure common operational agreements are in place within the common services and premise setting that facilitates operational harmonization, including LTAs, MoUs, Contracts both in and out of Kampala Including the UNAC level.

3. Technical and administrative support to the implementation of Efficiency Agenda

• Function as a focal point for UNCT regarding Efficiency Agenda in communication with various UN entities, including Regional Offices and Headquarters.
• Lead follow-up activities on Efficiency Agenda such as BOS2.0 annual review, Common Premises mapping exercise, and implementation of Common Back Office agenda.
• Provide any other technical and administrative support to the implementation of the Efficiency Agenda as guided by supervisors.

4. Knowledge Management

• Lead periodic reporting against implementation of OMT related activities including the use of the UN global reporting platform.

5. Any other tasks assigned by supervisors

Results/ Expected Output

• Fostered UN internal operational coherence, especially in relation to the implementation of BOS 2.0 in a cost effective and efficient manner
• Enhanced implementation of common services in support of the UN Reform, UNCDCF and SDGs localization through UN operational harmonization
• Enhanced operational coordination between UN and partners including vendors as well as international aid efforts, including capacity building for key partners/vendors/ suppliers and implementing partners (IPs)
• Enhanced implementation of the Efficiency Agenda in country

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

• An advanced university degree (Master) or its equivalent, preferably in the fields of Business Administration, Economics, Public Administration, Social sciences, International relations, political sciences or related field.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of experience in development operations, coordination and programme management preferably with experience working with the UN or international institutions. A first degree with (2) years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Knowledge of operational rules and procedure of UN entities is desirable.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the UN

• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

  Functional Competencies:

Communication Skills

• Excellent writing and analytical skills in English
• Ability to communicate and present ideas clearly

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Ability to provide a high-quality RM, partnership and financing strategy
• Excellent research and data management skills
• Experience and knowledge in Finance and economic modelling

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Experience in strategic planning, results-based management and reporting
• Ability to apply finance and economic theory to the specific country context

Management and Leadership

• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Ability to converge or persuade differing groups towards a common goal.

View our competency framework at

https://www.unicef.org/careers/media/1041/file/UNICEF%27s_Competency_Framework.pdf

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:

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