Operations Specialist

Volunteering Admin Finance & Economy

Overview

Support operations management and enhance UNICEF's effectiveness.

You have:

• A minimum of 3 years of professional experience in operations management, financial management or related areas is required.
• Experience in the development sector or UN system/ international NGOs is an asset.
• Knowledge of Results Based Management is a requirement.
• Prior experience in Audit and Investigations is desired.
• Experience in Emergency Preparedness and Response is desired.
• Experience working with corporate ERPs and IPSAS is highly desirable.
• Experience in supporting successful client-oriented work units is an asset.

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

The fundamental and primary mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in child survival, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations. Strategic office context: The Operations function is a strategic Business Partner role, assuring the best use of UNICEF assets in alignment with sound management practices, office priorities and goals to deliver results for children

The Operations Specialist will support the following four pillars: Valuing People, Valuing Money, Valuing Risk Management, Valuing Systems and Structures.

Valuing People: Support the development of people resources to promote technical competence Support an environment of management excellence, staff well-being and accessibility and inclusion through implementation of strategies, policies, procedures. • Contribute to solutions and advise to office management on people management and office culture. • Support the human resource development and resourcing strategies to bring about changes in knowledge, skills, abilities and mind sets for Operations staff.

Valuing Money: Contribute to strategic resources to 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 Business Units on options to generate greater VfM. • Support the financial oversight management, monitoring and reporting of all the Region’s budget; make analysis and recommendations for Senior Management to take risk informed decisions.

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 existing risk management platforms. • Oversee Offices completion and testing of business continuity plans to ensure UNICEF organizational resilience to disaster and risks and staff safety and security as well as Emergency Preparedness and Response to humanitarian situations. • Review internal controls and policies/guidance included in the Regulatory Framework, provide oversight of appropriate implementation of policies and procedures and provide feedback on policy and internal controls as appropriate. • Facilitate mitigation of risks of engagement with external partners via appropriate, risk-informed due diligence.

Valuing Systems and Structures: Ensure further operational centralization and optimization for maximized efficiency gains • Review and recommend simplification of Operations processes to minimize cost, reduce duplication of work and maximize efficiencies while creating an environment of smarter controls to render the organization agile, resilient and ready to respond to programme needs. • Facilitate compliance with systems by building awareness and capacity of users, explore new ways of working - including in the context of SG Reform – and continuously improve IT-enabled business processes to increase productivity and collaboration, better knowledge management, and ensure effective use of UNICEF assets. • Provide key contribution to CPMP and review operational structures in collaboration with Regional Chiefs of Operations and the Strategic Business Support unit in DFAM.

• 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 • Manages ambiguity and complexity

A minimum of 3 years of professional experience, at the national and/or international level, is required, specifically in implementing organizational initiatives 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.

Prior experience in the development sector or UN system/ international NGOs would be an asset.

Additional experience in one or more of the following areas, would be desired: • Audit and investigations • Safety and security • Grant Management • Enterprise Risk Management

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.

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 desirable

Experience in working with corporate ERPs (Enterprise Resource Planning) and IPSAS (International Public Sector Accounting Standards) is highly desirable.

Knowledge of Results Based Management is a requirement.

Experience in supporting successful client-oriented work units is an asset.

The assignment will take place in the national capital, Dakar, a family duty station (A classification). Dakar is a liveable city. The living conditions in Dakar are good and the social climate is calm. Senegal is an open country that benefits from the social stability resulting from the proper functioning of state institutions. Senegal also has a good level of infrastructure (e.g., roads) but the distribution of water and electricity can be unstable in Dakar and other cities in the country, forcing many officials to use generators.

Candidates for UN Volunteer assignments requiring travel to the duty station may be exceptionally granted during this period alternative working arrangements to work from their place of recruitment until restrictions are lifted. Candidates for UN Volunteer assignments may also need to begin their assignments remotely in cases where access to UN premises is restricted. These are decisions at the discretion of the host entity. Candidates proceeding to interview are recommended to discuss travel requirements, any restrictions, and possible alternative arrangements with the host entity. If selected, candidates should carefully consider the circumstances before accepting UNV’s offer.

The contract lasts for the period indicated above with possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment.

Travel to duty station (if applicable) and a Settling-In-Grant will be provided in the event the duty station is not within commuting distance from the place of recruitment. The applicable Volunteer Living Allowance is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents), as well as final repatriation (if applicable) and resettlement allowance for satisfactory service.

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Potential interview questions

Added 6 months ago - Updated 6 months ago - Source: unv.org