Senior Operations Specialist

Contract

This is a IPSA-11 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Personnel Services Agreement. It is normally internationally recruited only. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about IPSA-11 contracts.

Background

Instructions to Applicants: Click on the "Apply now" button. Input your information in the appropriate Sections: personal information, language proficiency, education, resume and motivation. Upon completion of the first page, please hit "submit application" tab at the end of the page. Please ensure that CV or P11 and the Cover letter are combined in one file.

Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.

A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.

Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials.

Travel:

a) UNDP will cover the cost of travel of the individual to the duty station, as well as their return to their home upon completion of their services. Travel costs are covered only in the event that the function will beundertaken physically in the duty station and excludes working from home arrangements.

b) Include any official travel expected to be associated with performing the functions.

Office/Unit/Project Description

The RCO Fiji oversees 10 Pacific Small Island Developing States, namely Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. The Senior Operations Consultant will be based in the RCO Fiji and will work under the direct supervision of the RCO Team Leader and support him/her in the day-to-day management of the RCO.

Achieves UNRCO’s goals and objectives through the provision of high-level support with respect to a range of complex human resource, planning, work programming, budget and financial management tasks which substantially impact significant administrative activities of the work unit.

The position is located in the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) in Fiji for expected duration of 6 months.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

Within delegated authority, the Senior Operations Consultant will be responsible for the following duties:

Coordination of operational services delivered from UNDP to RCO

• Enable the effective resource management and advise RC and consult UNDP RR on the optimization of resources/processes, in collaboration with the UNDP Operations Manager;
• Maintain efficient communication, integration and coordination processes/system between RCO and UNDP to ensure quality and timeliness of the services delivered;
• Ensure effective and efficient management of the RCO resources and provide planning and operational support to the RCO;
• Support review and optimization of the country specific office set up for nine countries under RCO Fiji and revision/establishment of SOPs;
• Support on behalf of RCO work on common premises agenda as well as BOS operationalization;
• Work closely with UNDP to support the development of integrated RCO/UNDP work planning process and participate and support RCO strategic planning, budget management and reporting; ensure active engagement with UNDP through regular work-planning, results-monitoring, and information-sharing to ensure all services are delivered in a timely and efficient manner;
• Serve as Officer-in-Charge of IRIS requests.

Human Resource Management

• Initiate and coordinate actions covering the entire span of human resource activities, e.g., recruitment, placement, promotion, performance appraisal, vacancies, job classification reviews, separation of staff members, training, etc., ensuring consistency in the application of UN rules and procedures.
• Provide expert advice with respect to conditions of service, duties and responsibilities, and privileges and entitlements under the Staff Rules and Regulations.

Budget and Finance

• Initiate and conduct studies to improve budget reporting systems and cost-effective utilization of program resources.
• Monitor and control budgetary allocations through regular reviews; drafts routine and ad hoc outputs; and provides effective monitoring reports and data. Identify deviations from plans and propose corrective measures.

General Administration

• Implement and monitor support services, including procurement of supplies and services; transport, travel and traffic, communications, engineering and information technology support; and provision of local utilities and service requirements.
• Supervise a staff team and/or provide advice to others on human resource administration, financial administration and management information issues and practices to colleagues.
• Perform other related duties, as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of administrative, budgetary, financial and human resources policies and procedures. Ability to apply various United Nations administrative rules and regulations in work situations. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis. Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication

Planning& Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments.

Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Academic Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business or public administration, finance, accounting, law or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Min. years of relevant Work experience

A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in administration, finance, accounting, human resources management or related field. Experience in management and leadership of diverse and remotely situated teams, in multiple locations desirable. Experience with UNDP rules and regulations; RC office setting; and in MCO context are a distinct advantage

Required Language(s) (at working level)

Speaks and writes English clearly and effectively