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UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, result

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, 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. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

Strategic office context:

The 2023-2027 Country Programme is designed and is implemented in a federal context of Nepal with a new Field Office in Surkhet for Karnali Province. This new structure is for ensuring optimal operation capacity to support the programme implementation in Karnali Province.  The Operations function is a strategic Business Partner role, assuring the best use of UNICEF resources, compliance with policies and procedures in alignment with sound management practices, office priorities and goals to deliver results for children.

How can you make a difference? 

The Senior Operations Associate will work under the supervision of the Chief of Field Office, NOC, to support in the management of operational functions including administration and logistics in Surkhet Field Office for Karnali Province and will be accountable for management of cost-effective, efficient and secure operations, which contributes to overall management and implementation of the country programmes to support government in a decentralized context.

As the lead of the Operations team of the Field office, the incumbent will be accountable for operations functions, facilitate change, provide risk informed, solution-focused analysis, advice and services and contribute to programme and management decisions for delivering results for children in specific operational contexts. The position supervises a small operations team.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks

Summary of Key Functions of the Senior Operations Associate will be as follows:

• Ensure the effective, equitable and efficient operations of the Field office's finance, budget, information & communication technology, supply & logistics, human resource and administrative systems to support and facilitate the attainment of programmatic goals and objectives by meeting changing operational requirements.
• Be Accountable for providing the correct and consistent interpretation and application of organizational policies and procedures in the management of finance and administrative functions through the provision of technical expertise and operational support to the Field office.
• Alert and recommend to the Chief of Field Office, when deviation from the rules and regulations may be required and propose alternative solutions to meet office objectives.
• Be Accountable for fiduciary integrity/responsibility for funds and assets taking decision on all operational and financial transactions, disbursement of funds, and administrative arrangements. Provide required oversight and support to programme group team to ensure all implementing partners accountability with regard to supply and non-supply assistance.
• Ensure efficient, cost-effective and transparent utilization of resources through knowledge and technology transfer between offices and consistency of approaches and applications.
• Ensures that all administrative transactions and arrangements of contracts are in compliance with the applicable policies, procedures, rules and regulations.
• Contribute to the reviews of contractual arrangements related to administrative support (i.e. courier, premises maintenance, ancillary administrative support, vehicle maintenance, equipment maintenance etc.) to ensure that the terms and conditions of all contracts are being adhered to by providers of goods and services. Proposes to the Chief of Field Office any changes that may be required. Monitors payments against contractual obligations.
• Contribute to recommendations on the improvement of internal controls systems taking into account the prevailing conditions in the locality.
•  Assist Chief of Field Office in finance, human resources and administrative matters providing technical advice on all operational submissions for the approval of the Head of Office, brief office staff on financial, human resources and administrative policies.
• Provide guidance and supervision to junior Operations staff i.e Admin Assistant and Supply logistics assistant, and Drivers in the Field Office office and swiftly resolve operational issues.
•  Coordinate promptly with the Chief of Field Office, in the Field office for security-related issues and emergency operations. Assists Chief of Field offices in the establishment and maintenance of security arrangements and related administrative services.
•  Provide operational support to emergency preparedness and emergencies. Inform and update all staff members in the Field office on security related issues and emergency operations.
• Supporting the Administrative assistant and Programme associate to ensure efficiency, effectiveness and adherence to UNICEF policies and regulations.
• Facilitate and acting as an interlocuter between the Country office operations team and the field office Operations team taking into consideration elements of efficiency, performance, risk management and fraud prevention.
• The Senior Operations Associate (GS7) will be entrusted to support the following five pillars, the core focus of all operations functions: Valuing People, Valuing Money, Valuing Risk Management, Valuing Systems and Structures, Valuing Partners.

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

Education: Completion of secondary education is required.

University degree (Bachelor’s) in administration, finance, or any other related field of discipline relevant to the job is an asset.

Work Experience:

For a candidate with secondary education only, a minimum of seven years of relevant professional work experience in functional or technical areas of operations (office management, finance, administration, ICT, supply, logistics, transport, human resources or other related areas of work is required.

Note:

A candidate with master’s degree is required to have a minimum of two years of relevant professional experience

Or

A candidate with bachelor’s degree is required to have a minimum four years of relevant professional experience.

Work experience in emergency duty station is an asset.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English and Nepali language is required. Knowledge of another official UN 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…

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. We are committed to fostering a diverse workforce by implementing a wide range of inclusive measures. These include paid parental leave, 24 weeks of maternity leave, and 16 weeks of paternity leave. Female employees are allowed to have designated time off for breastfeeding, and our Kathmandu office has a creche that enables parents to bring their babies to work. Further, we offer flexible work arrangements that help align personal and professional goals.

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 of 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 deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates and candidates from the under-represented ethnic groups are strongly encouraged to apply. 

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.

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.