For Every Child…a Sustainable Future
UNICEF is pleased to launch a Generic Vacancy Announcement for the Chief, Strategic Operations & Planning Talent Group P5 (Roster). This Strategic Business Partner role is under the general guidance of the Division Director at HQ, Deputy/Regional Director at Regional Offices or Team leader/Coordinator for Special Programmes in country offices. The incumbent will be responsible for the management of cost-effective, efficient and results driven strategic operations in support of division/regional/special programmes management, administration and implementation of the work related to office planning. S/he will lead and guide technical and operations internal planning of divisional/regional/special programmes’ activities in support of effective implementation of the workplan and R/OMP.
This role generally covers functions such as Senior Operations Officer, Senior Manager - Finance & Admin, Chief Finance, Chief Finance and Admin, Chief Admin, Chief Planning & Budget, Chief Internal Controls and/or Risk Management, Deputy Team Leader for Special Programmes, etc. The incumbent will also guide and support a group of professional staff to manage and deliver services in the above-mentioned areas of responsibility, enabling operational excellence, change management, risk informed solutions and better results for Children in a large office at HQ/Region/Country Special Programmes level.
For every child, commitment
For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
“UNICEF humanitarian programmes address the urgent needs of children affected by crises in the short- and medium-term, while its development programmes contribute to reducing their needs, vulnerabilities and risks in a sustainable and longer-term manner. Both therefore contribute to delivering the Sustainable Development Goals for the world’s most disadvantaged children.’’
For every child, dedication
UNICEF is seeking talented applicants for a placement in the Chief, Strategic Operations & Planning Talent Group P-5 level.
In its current structure, UNICEF has approximately 70 similar roles covering operations and planning functions worldwide of which, 40 are at the P-5 level. Following a thorough screening and vetting process, successful candidates will be placed in the Talent Group P-5 for an indefinite period until they are appointed to a post. Talent Groups (Rosters) at UNICEF are exclusive lists of pre-vetted, highly qualified professionals that can be considered for a direct selection when the positions become available.
For every child, fair chance
How can you make a difference?
The Chief, Strategic Operations & Planning position is supported by a team of general services professional staff members and consultants under the Programme and Operations sections which, carries out the implementation of non-transactional work-related Operations policy, guidance, budgeting, administration, planning and finance of the Division/Region and Country Office Special Programmes. The main functions of this role will be to:
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Advice, Senior Management of the division/region/country office it serves on all aspects of Operations (Finance/Budget, Contracting, Internal Controls/Risk Management, Partnerships, Administration, Planning, Systems etc.).
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Responsible for strategic financial management, efficient contracting of services, effective facilitation of implementing partnerships, achieving consistency with UN/UNICEF rules and regulations.
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Leads the financial oversight management, monitoring and reporting of all the office budget - and where applicable private sector fundraising budgets, making analysis and recommendations for Director’s to take risk informed decisions.
Risk Management: Enhance Risk Management to increase organizational performance and strengthen internal controls
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Ensures the office is equipped with the right skills and tools and 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.
Systems and Structures: Ensure further operational centralization and optimization for maximized efficiency gains
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Reviews key Operations processes to minimize cost, simplify and reduce duplication of work and maximize efficiencies while creating an environment of smarter risk-based controls to render the organization agile, resilient and ready to respond to office needs.
Partnerships: Strengthening internal and external-facing partnerships and leveraging UNICEF’s oversight and understanding of financial management across all areas of the office
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Contributes with technical expertise and recommendations on HACT implementation in offices, including, advice approach to undertaking programmatic visits, spot checks, follow-up actions required on result of financial assurance activities; the use and collaboration with the Supreme Audit Institution; and use of micro-assessment results including the appropriate level of capacity building in financial management.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
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An advanced university degree (Master’s) 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.) or a full professional accounting designation (CA, ACA, ACCA, CPA, CIMA, CPFA, Expert Compatible) from an internationally recognized institute/body of accountancy with valid membership in good standing is required.
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A minimum of ten (10) 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 is required.
- Knowledge of Results Based Management is a required.
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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 highly desirable.
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Additional experience in one or more of the Audit and investigations, Safety and security, grants management or Enterprise Risk Management areas, would be desired.
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Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of another UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is considered an asset.
For every child, you demonstrate.
a) Our core values: Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability
b) Competencies: UNICEF competencies required for this post are.
(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (3)
(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3)
(3) Drive to achieve results for impact (3)
(4) Innovates and embraces change (3)
This is a Generic Vacancy Announcement (GVA) that has been launched to populate the Chief, Strategic Operations & Planning Talent Group. While a placement in the Talent Group does not guarantee a selection, it is an important resource for filling vacancies.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply. UNICEF is committed to reaching better diversity in the Chief, Strategic Operations & Planning P-5 portfolio. Current geographic diversity data of the Chief, Strategic Operations & Planning portfolio are Programme Country Nationals: 60%, Donor Country Nationals: 40% while Gender Diversity is Male: 58% and Female: 42%.
“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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.”