For Every Child…a Sustainable Future
UNICEF is pleased to launch a Generic Vacancy Announcement for the Operations Manager Talent Group P-3 (Roster). The role is under general guidance of the Deputy Representative ‐ Operations, Representative or Chief Field Office, and will be responsible for ensuring effective, equitable, efficient and sustainable operational systems in the specific areas of Finance, Business Analysis, Accounts, Risk Management, Internal controls, Budgeting, Administration and Quality Assurance. The incumbent may also guide and support a group of general services and professional staff to deliver Operations services in a small country office, zonal or sub-office in support of the country programme implementation.
For every child, commitment
UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children's rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world.
“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 Operations Manager P-3 Talent Group (Roster). The function of the Operations Manager is of critical importance in UNICEF's structure as it ensures the overall management of country office or field office fiduciary priorities, development of specific policies as well as coordination and management of country office or field office Operations. This roster may also cover specific P-3 functions in the areas of Finance, Accounting, Risk Management, Compliance, Administration, Budgeting, Business Analysis, Quality Assurance and/or Internal Controls.
Following a thorough screening and vetting process, successful candidates will be placed in the Talent Group (Roster) at P-3 level for an indefinite period of time until they are selected and appointed to a post. Talent Groups (Roster) at UNICEF are exclusive lists of pre-vetted, highly qualified professionals that can be considered for a direct selection as the positions become available.
How can you make a difference?
The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, 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.
The Operations Manager reports to the Country Office (CO) Representative, Deputy Representative - Operations or Chief Field Office for general supervision and direction. The Operations Manager supports the line manager or the Office on the overall management of the CO or Field office operations functions and to lead for results, drive change, provide risk informed, solution-focused analysis, advice and services and contribute to management decisions for delivering results for children in all operational contexts. The Operations Manager will be entrusted with the following five pillars, the core focus of all operations functions: Valuing People, Valuing Money, Valuing Risk Management, Valuing Systems and Structures, Valuing Partners.
Valuing People: Develop people resources to promote technical competence and foster career progression and retention of a “fit for purpose”/ agile workforce
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Facilitate an environment of management excellence, staff well-being and accessibility and inclusion through implementation of strategies, policies, procedures.
Valuing Money: Champion strategic resources to achieve organizational goals and ensure Value for Money (VfM)
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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.
Valuing Risk Management: Enhance Risk Management to increase organizational performance and strengthen internal control
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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, Risk and Compliance (eGRC) platform.
Valuing Systems and Structures: Ensure further operational centralization and optimization for maximized efficiency gains
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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.
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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.
Valuing Partners: 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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Previous hands-on experience in strategic operations is considered a strong asset.
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Fluency in English is required (verbal and written). Proficiency in another UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is considered an asset. Proficiency in Portuguese is considered as a distinct advantage.
For every child, you demonstrate
a) Our core values: Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability
This is a Generic Vacancy Announcement (GVA) that has been launched to populate the Operations Manager 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 Operations Manager portfolio. Current diversity data of the Operations Manager P-3 portfolio are, Programme Country Nationals: 85%, Donor Country Nationals 15%; while Gender Diversity is Male is 52% and Female: 48%.
“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.”