Operations Manager, Level P4, Maiduguri, Nigeria, Post # 100712

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, HOPE….

Click the link to learn more about UNICEF in Nigeria:https://www.unicef.org/nigeria/.

Purpose of the post:

As the Head of Operations of the state office, Operations Manager will be accountable for management of cost effective, efficient and secure operations in support of management, administration and implementation of the country programmes, consistent with operations of all other offices in the Country in accordance with strategy, plans and decisions made by Country Management Team. S/He will provide guidance in operations to a gender-balanced, multidisciplinary team of professionals to identify and correct gender balances.

How can you make a difference?

Within the delegated authority and under the given organizational set-up, the incumbent may be assigned the primarily, shared, or contributory accountabilities for all or part of the following areas of major duties and key end-results.

1.  Effective operations of financial, human resource and administrative management

• Manages and ensures the effective, equitable and efficient operations of the field office’s finance, human resource and administrative systems to support and facilitate the attainment of programmatic goals and objectives by meeting changing operational requirements. Ensures effective operations that promote gender sensitivity and gender parity.  Advises management and assists in establishing new offices

2.  Policy interpretation and application

• As technical professional and manager, accountable for the correct and consistent application of organizational policies and procedures in the management of finance and administrative functions through the provision of technical leadership and operational support to the field office.
• Contributes to global/regional strategic planning and policy changes/formulation on operational matters as necessary; Provides technical input to contribute to the establishment of operational guidelines in close coordination with the Chief of Field office and the Deputy Representative Operations in the Country Office.
• Implements the effective communication, training, roll-out, monitoring and evaluation of new operational initiatives, guidelines and procedures.

3.  Fiduciary integrity/responsibility for funds and assets

• Safeguards the financial resources entrusted to the office by advising on and/or managing financial assets, financial planning and cash management activities and by recommending improvements to the financial and administrative management systems and procedures.  Accountable for fiduciary integrity/responsibility for funds and assets taking decision on all operational and financial transactions, disbursement of funds, and administrative arrangements.
• Ensures efficient, cost-effective and transparent utilization of resources through knowledge and technology transfer between offices and consistency of approaches.

4.  Office Services

• Ensures the provision of basic offices services including space management, equipment, communications and security to enhance staff safety and productivity.
• Under the auspices of the Inter-Agency Operations Management Team, supports approaches for enhancing UN common services to attain efficiencies and effectiveness.

5.  Compliance and Internal Control

• Monitors and manages budget process.  Ensures all other operational reporting requirements are fully met for the office.  Monitors compliance with all operational systems and procedures and ensures integrity in all financial and other administrative operations of the office.
• Serve as the focal person for office management indicators; ensure all other operational reporting requirements are fully met for the office; in collaboration with the Chief of Field Office, ensure the implementation of agreed audit recommendations; advise on corrective measures to be taken and establish relevant internal controls. Develop training activities to ensure effective operational performance and efficiency.

6.  Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration

• Maintains government counterpart relations; resolves issues pertaining to conditions of service, operational facilities and privileges within the context of the Basic Cooperation Agreement; Ensures adherence to financial regulations and rules pertaining to Cash Assistance to Government (CAG).
• Cooperates and coordinates with other UN agency counterparts in the UN reform initiatives (including HACT capacity building of IPs, common services and premises agenda, etc.).
• Advises Chief Field Office on finance, human resource and administrative matters providing guidance on all operational submissions for the approval of the Representative; briefs office staff on financial, human resource and administrative policies and procedures providing authoritative advice; provides technical guidance and oversight to junior Operations staff in country offices and swiftly resolves operational issues.
• Coordinates/liaises with the country office to support policy formulation in the area of operations; advises on the applicability of new policy directives to regional operations. Makes substantive recommendations on the improvement of systems and internal controls, planning and restructuring and resolution of sensitive issues and problems, taking into account the prevailing conditions in the locality.
• Collaborates with Programme Officers and country office staff providing creative problem solving in support of programming activities while maintaining sound internal operational controls.
• Represents the office in meetings with local banks and administrative suppliers; negotiates locally issued contracts as well as in meetings with other UN Agencies to coordinate operational matters and activities, including harmonization of the UN common system.
• Represents UNICEF in the local salary survey committee and fully participates in all processes of the salary survey review and administration to ensure the methodology is applied correctly throughout.
• Coordinates promptly with the Chief of Field Office, Programme Officers and other staff in the field office for security-related issues and emergency operations. Provides operational support to emergency preparedness and emergencies. Informs and updates all staff members in the field office on security related issues and emergency operations.

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

• Advanced university degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Economics or Financial Management from a recognized university required.
• Eight years  of professional work experience in Operations including Office Administration, Finance, Accounting, ICT, Supply, Logistics and/or Human Resources at national and international level required.
• Strong experience in handling diverse operations functions in at least two emergency duty stations away from country of origin is highly desirable.
• Ability to work under pressure
• Ability to work with less supervision
• Strong strategic skills and good knowledge of policies to be able to advise and guide the Chief Field Office

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and competencies including

• Builds & maintains partnerships
• Demonstrate self awareness and ethical awareness.
• Innovates & embraces change
• Drive to achieve results for impact
• Manages ambiguity and complexity
• Thinks and acts strategically
• Works collaboratively with others
• Nurtures, leads and manages people

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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 be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.

QUALIFIED FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE ESPECIALLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. 

Remarks:

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

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.