Operations Officer (P-2), PG - Programme Operations Hub, outposted to Budapest (Temporary Appointment 6months)

Overview

Provide operational support, manage consultancy contracts, and enhance organizational performance

You have:

• A first level university degree in business management, financial management, accounting, Public Finance, supply chain, human resources, information technology, international business, project management, or another relevant degree is required
• Minimum 2 years of professional experience in operations management including budget and financial management at the national and/or international level is required
• Experience in a UN system agency, large private or public company, or in a developing country and/or humanitarian/emergency context is an asset
• Experience with database packages, web-based management systems, and ERP systems (preferably SAP financial modules) is considered as an asset
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially Excel required
• Fluency in English (written and verbal) is required; proficiency in French and another official UN language is a strong asset

Contract

This is a P-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 2 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 57,661 USD and 78,318 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

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 hope for all……

The Operations Officer is responsible for providing support to the supervisors and colleagues in the POH by administering and executing a variety of professional tasks and processes, applying theoretical skills and thorough knowledge of organizational goals, objectives, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to complete the tasks. The incumbent will be accountable for the Programme Group (PG) consultancy contracting portfolio management, support strategic operations, financial planning and management, 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 as a supervisor of support staff will be responsible for planning and guiding work in progress and for reviewing work completed by subordinate staff to verify accuracy and compliance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), UNICEF Financial Regulations and Rules, policies, procedures, guidelines, standards of accountability, and ethics.

How can you make a difference?

Consultancy contracting portfolio management

• Support consultancy portfolio management ensuring accurate and timely services delivery that is in compliance with UNICEF HR rules and regulations.
• Provide technical support on the application, interpretation and implementation of DHR policy on consultants
• Advise clients on the resolution of complex issues related to individual consultancy contracting ensuring equitable and transparent solutions in accordance with policies, regulations and procedures.
• Provide support at various steps of the process (ToR clearance, quality assurance and first-level consultancy contracts release, contracts amendments clearances, etc.) to help supervisors in implementing efficient client services
• Supervise the day-to-day work of the consultancy contracting team, ensure SOPs are kept up-to-date and.

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. To analyze approved ToA and adjust, if needed.
• Support implementation of 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.

Support transition to Central Services Center (CSC)

• As a technical expert on contracting, engage with the CSC Project team in shaping service delivery to Programme Group
• Provide inputs to the Project team working on Central Services Center, be an advocate for best practices and suggest efficient ways of doing business
• Contribute to the smooth transition of the POH team to the CSC minimizing disruptions, building support, improving customer experience, compliance, strengthening controls, and reducing backlogs.

Support to financial planning and management

• Provide support to the financial planning process for OMP/PBR, AWP by preparing/analyzing financial data/estimates and documentations verifying relevancy, accuracy and completeness to support budget planning. Provide financial operations support throughout the financial planning and implementation process.
• Provide support in financial oversight management, monitoring and analysis of key performance indicators, monitoring and reporting of the budget. Preparation of regular analysis, modification and reports on the budget situation for the management oversight and action.
• Provide technical and operational support on the application, interpretation and implementation of operational policies, procedures and guidelines to the POH and programme colleagues and stakeholders. Resolve routine financial operational issues and/or recommend (and record) deviation from policies and guidelines to meet objectives.
• Prepare and/or monitor financial exception reports to assess unusual activities and transactions, investigate anomalies, and keep supervisor informed for timely action.
• Review financial and reputational risks in the transactions carried out by the PG and raise flags when action is needed by management.
• Monitor and analyze financial transactions, accounting reports and reconciliation of accounts to ensure accurate and current financial information for applicable compliance (e.g. IPSAS, donor reporting, internal policies) and management oversight, planning and/or action.
• Examine DCT transactions (transfer, adjustments, reprogramming and liquidation) supporting documents to ensure FACE form has been properly entered into the system and the expenditure is broadly reasonable and in accordance with policy.

Knowledge and capacity building

• Promote a culture of highest ethical standards and behavior in management of UNICEF’s resources.
• Support initiatives for management improvement by capturing, institutionalizing, and sharing best practices and lessons learned. Recommend improvements in processes and procedures to enhance productivity and performance including implementation of cost saving strategies.
• Participate and/or organize training and learning events to build capacity of staff and stakeholders/partners.

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

• A first level university degree in business management, financial management, accounting, Public Finance, supply chain, human resources, information technology, international business, project management, etc.) or other relevant degree is required
• Supplemental formal financial/accounting training may be accepted if university degree is not in a related field. A professional license from internationally recognized institutions is an asset.,
• A minimum of 2 years of professional experience, at the national and/or international level 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 is required.
• 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 database packages, web based management systems and ERP systems (preferably SAP financial modules) is considered as an asset.
• Experience with IPSAS and/or IFRS is considered as an asset.
• For country offices with a significant private sector fundraising operation, prior experience working with or in the private sector, and supporting private sector fundraising, is an asset
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially Excel required.
• Fluency in English (written and verbal) is required. Proficiency in French and another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish) is a strong asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability (CRITA), and sustainability

Please click Here to view UNICEF's core values and Here to view our competency framework.

UNICEF competencies required for this post are.

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
• Works Collaboratively with others (1)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to including everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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 is committed to promoting 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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.

Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid).

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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 only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/”

For more information on remuneration and benefits, please visit UNICEF’s Entitlements’ page. If you would like to find estimates for entitlements, you may use the online Salary Estimate Calculator

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

Potential interview questions