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For every child

The UNICEF Evaluation function drives results for children by promoting evidence-informed decision-making. It plays a key role in ensuring accountability for UNICEF's contributions to outcomes for children, while also supporting learning and decision-making to improve those results. UNICEF Evaluation function conducts a wide range of independent, credible, and impartial evaluations, including corporate, thematic, institutional effectiveness, humanitarian, country-led, impact, and joint evaluations. These evaluations ensure that UNICEF uses evidence to enhance its outcomes for children. Evaluation at UNICEF is decentralized, led by the Director of Evaluation, who provides strategic leadership across all three levels of the organization—global, regional, and country. The UNICEF Evaluation Office oversees the evaluation function, with senior regional evaluation advisers and multi-country evaluation specialists based in seven regional offices. Additionally, dedicated country evaluation specialists are stationed in 15 UNICEF country offices worldwide, with support from many other staff members who contribute part-time to the evaluation function as part of their broader responsibilities.

How can you make a difference? 

The UNICEF Evaluation Office is seeking a seasoned Operations Specialist to join its strategic planning and operations team. In this role, the Operations Specialist, under the supervision of the Senior Evaluation Specialist (Strategic Planning and Operations) will deliver solution-oriented analysis, advice, and services to optimize the management of operations and administrative processes. Key responsibilities include providing policy guidance, ensuring adherence to organizational procedures, and collaborating with management to enhance the efficiency of the evaluation function. If you are a skilled professional with a strong track record in driving organizational initiatives across various operations management areas, including budgeting, financial management, reporting, administration, and human resources, we invite you to apply.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Valuing Money – Champion strategic use of resources to achieve organizational goals and 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, costing, results-based budgeting financial monitoring, etc.
• Lead the financial oversight management, monitoring and reporting of all office budget, make analysis and recommendations for the supervisor and Senior Managers to take risks informed decisions.
• Actively seek and promote creative, and where appropriate innovative, approaches (e.g., in processes, or overall approaches) to maximize value for money, timeliness, efficiency, cost-efficiency and/or rigor and credibility of the finance/budget activities.
• Regularly advise, communicate, coordinate, and where applicable collaborate with Regional Evaluation Advisers and Multi-country Evaluation Specialists on supplementary funds allocations. 

2. Valuing Procurement – Ensure procurement of fit of purpose goods and services.

• Support procurement strategies and interventions to meet the office needs while ensuring value for money (VfM), including procurement of fit for purpose goods and services.
• Plan and manage technically complex procurement operations, ensuring efficient delivery and disposition of quality goods and services contracts and in accordance with UNICEF Financial Rules and Regulations, Supply Procedures and Guidance Note, and all other applicable procurement procedures.

3. Valuing Systems and Structures – ensure further operational centralization and optimization for maximized efficiency gains.

• Review and recommend simplification of Operations processes and recommend measures to minimize cost, reduce duplication of work and maximize efficiencies while creating an environment of starter controls to render the organization ready to respond to office needs.
• Provide key contribution to OMP and support to Results Based Management and implementation using Value for Money criteria. - Facilitate services in the functional areas of operations support: budget, financial management and reporting facilities management, administration, procurement and logistics management, human resources and safety and security.
• Support the office during external and internal audit reviews and respond to audit observations and monitoring implementation of recommendations.
• Facilitate business transactions processed by CSC and GSSC from a perspective of Efficiency, Performance, Risk Management and Fraud prevention. 

4. Valuing Risk Management - Enhance risks management to increase organizational performance and strengthen internal controls. 

• 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, Risks and Compliance (eGRC) platform.
• Update and participate in 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.
• Support implementation mandatory anti-fraud systems, processes and actions, and share anti-fraud achievements within the office.
• 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, risks informed due diligence.

5. Valuing People – Develop people resources to promote technical competence and foster career progression and attention of a ‘fit for purpose’/agile workforce.

• Facilitate an environment of management excellence, staff well-being and accessibility and inclusion through implementation of strategies, policies, procedures.
• Implement solutions related to people management and office culture.
• Keep abreast of industry standards in management and finance and share best practices and knowledge learned within the office.
• Support excellence in Operations in UNICEF derived from the five strategic pillars. 

6. Valuing Partners – Strengthening internal and external facing partnerships and leveraging UNICEF’s oversight and understanding of financial management across all areas of the office.

• Facilitate implementation of agreements with partners.
• Provide technical support and recommendations on HACT implementation, including advise approach to undertaking spot checks, follow-up actions required on result of financial assurance activities.
• Foster a positive and enabling operations environment that supports private sector fundraising and solution-focused engagement (where applicable). 

7. Undertake special assignments as required by the Supervisor.

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

Minimum requirements:

Education:

• An Advanced University Degree (Master’s and above) in one of the following areas is required: Business management; Financial management; Accounting; Public Finance; and related operations function (Supply Chain, Human Resources, Information Technology, International Business, Project management, etc.)

Work Experience:

• A minimum of 5 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. 

Skills: 

• Knowledge of Results Based Management is a requirement.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office applications is required

Language Requirements: Fluency in English; knowledge of another UN language is an asset (Arabic, Chines, French, Russian, Spanish).

Desirables:

• Experience in working with corporate ERPs (Enterprise Resource Planning) and IPSAS (International Public Sector Accounting Standards) is highly desirable
• Prior experience in the development sector or UN system/ international NGOs would be an asset.
• Experience in supporting successful client-oriented work units is 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.
• Knowledge of another UN language is an asset (Arabic, Chines, French, Russian, Spanish).
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergencies.

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

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

1. Builds and maintains partnerships (II)
2. Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (III)
3. Drive to achieve results for impact (II)
4. Innovates and embraces change (II)
5. Manages ambiguity and complexity (II)
6. Thinks and acts strategically (II)
7. Works collaboratively with others (II)
8. Nurtures, leads and manages people (II)

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements for candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to delivering the best results for children. The UNICEF Evaluation Office is committed to building and fostering a diverse, inclusive, and dynamic work environment, free from discrimination of any kind, in which every team member is valued and respected for her/his skills, competencies, knowledge, experience and values. Qualified candidates from UNICEF programme countries are particularly encouraged to apply, as are candidates with disabilities.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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 does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.