Operations Specialist NOC, WCARO Dakar Senegal

Contract

This is a NO-3 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-3 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, An advocate.

The Regional Office for West and Central Africa has the mandate to oversee and support UNICEF results in the region. As part of the expected WCARO results, simplified and cost-effective business processes and reinforced RBM and RBB have been identified as enablers for greater value for Money and a more effective programme implementation. This position will provide a dedicated support in those areas. The position will contribute to the improvement of Financial, Administrative and Budgetary performance through the implementation of strategic shifts in business practices in line with regional and/or organizational initiatives.

How can you make a difference?

Under the General Supervision of the Administrative and Finance Manager, the Operations Specialist (Finance, Budget and Administration) performs technical assistance and oversight functions in support of the improvement of the financial, administrative and budget management in the Regional Office and Country Offices and supports the planning, preparation, administration and oversight of the Integrated Budget submissions for the Regional Office and Country Offices in WCAR.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Provide first line technical assistance to Country Offices in the WCA Region on financial, budgetary and administrative issues.

Support oversight functions and provide technical assistance to Country Offices in the WCA Region on financial, budgetary and administrative issues:

• Monitor country offices’ performance and make recommendations for improvement as and when required,
• Liaise with DFAM and provide advice and guidance to COs on a variety of financial, budgetary and administrative matters, involving interpretation and application of policy guidelines, budget procedures, financial rules and regulations,
• Collect and analyze PBR submissions from CO’s and RO and make corresponding recommendations for review. Monitor/follow up on implementation of PBR decisions with COs and DFAM. Manage WCAR posts and budget databases & archives,
• Conduct any specific task as instructed by the Supervisor or the Regional Chief of Operations.

2. Support the implementation of regional and/or organizational improvement initiatives in the areas of Finance, Administration and Budget management

Participate in planning and implementing strategic shifts in business practices and organizational improvement initiatives including:

• Result Based Budgeting (RBB) and the related budget applications,
• Business Operations Strategies (BOS),
• Simplification measures and streamlining business processes,
• Options for greater Value for Money,
• Eco efficiency and Inclusiveness.

3. Support capacity building on Finance, administrative and budgetary matters and applications

Provide Staff in the RO and the COs with on-going support and capacity building on VISION finance and administrative modules, budget applications, administrative applications, and Structural Authorization processes.

• Identify capacity gaps in Financial, Administrative and Budgetary Management and make recommendations for improvement,
• Support CO’s in resolving VISION related issues, by providing on-going technical guidance on system processes, sharing practical experience and building capacity in CO’s and the Regional Office,
• Provide support to the Common Services Unit serving both the Regional Office and the Senegal Country Office,
• Provide other backup operational and financial management functions as needed.

4. Act as focal point for Budgetary/Financial transactions for the Cape Verde Joint Office

Ensure financial monitoring, reconciliation & recording of the resources allocated to Cape Verde Joint Office by coordinating fund allocation to the JO, collecting and analyzing fund utilization reports and supervising their adequate and timely recording in VISION.

This position will be key in WCARO support to Offices in implementing Effective, Efficient and simplified risk-informed processes to strengthen Value for Money in support to Programme, as outlined in the ROMP 2018-2021.

More specifically, this position will help improve efficiency and effectiveness of operational support in the areas of Finance, Budget and Administration across the Region. The position will support the Region efforts in achieving the Regional Office Management Plan results in terms of:

• streamlining business processes,
• implementing simplification measures,
• supporting Offices in identifying options for greater Value for Money,
• reinforcing Result Based Budgeting, and
• promoting eco efficiency and inclusive access.

This will directly impact on Programme performance and delivery of results for children.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Finance/Accounting, Audit, or any relevant area
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in administrative, finance and budgetary areas.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in French and English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

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.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

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 include 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, 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 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.

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children.

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 are also 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.

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