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, commitment

The Operations role serves as a strategic business partner, ensuring optimal utilization of UNICEF assets in accordance with sound management practices, office priorities, and objectives to achieve outcomes for children.

The Operations Officer in the field office will primarily report to the Chief of Office and will be matrix-managed by the Deputy Representative for Operations.

How can you make a difference?

Purpose of the job :

As a strategic business partner, the incumbent will be responsible for operational functions, facilitating change, providing risk-based, solution-focused analysis, advice, and services, and contributing to programme and management decisions to deliver results for children in specific operational contexts.

Under the supervision of the Chief Field Offices (Manakara & Fort Dauphin), and the Deputy Representative Operations, the Operations Officers will accomplish this by:

• Facilitating services in the functional areas of operations support: budget, financial management and reporting, facilities management, administration, supply and logistics management, information and communications technology, human resources, and safety and security.
• Understanding business needs for the field office, to propose viable solutions aimed at value for money.
• Providing contribution to CPD, CPMP, AMP, and support to Results Based Management and implementation using Value for Money criteria.
• Supporting the fundamentals of ICT management, information security, and controls; and act as liaison officer in the field for all ICT related issues
• Supporting supply and logistics strategies and interventions to meet programmatic needs while ensuring Value for Money (VfM), including procurement of fit for purpose products and services.
• Providing regular feedback on risks and achievements of operations functions in the field office.
• Supporting the management of the field office premises and facilities with a specific focus on inclusive accessibility, eco-sustainability, and common premises.
• Supporting the country office during external and internal audit reviews, contributing with audit observations and monitoring implementation of recommendations.
• Facilitating business transactions processed by GSSC from a perspective of Efficiency, Performance, Risk Management, and Fraud prevention.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Operations Officer Level 2_Job Description.docx

In your cover letter and resume, please specify your preferred Duty station, whether it be Manakara or Fort Dauphin.

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: A University Degree (Bachelor’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.).

  A professional license from internationally recognized institutions is considered an asset.

• Work Experience:A minimum of 2 years of professional experience, at the national and/or international level, is required, specifically in one or more operations management areas including budget; financial management and reporting; facilities management; administration; supply and logistics management; information and communication technology; Human Ressources.

  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 an asset.

  Experience in working with corporate ERPs (Enterprise Resource Planning) and IPSAS (International Public Sector Accounting Standards) is highly desirable.

  Experience supporting successful client-oriented work units is an asset.

  Familiarity with Microsoft Office applications is required.

  An understanding of Results-Based Management is a requirement.

• Language Requirements: Fluency in French is required.

  Working knowledge of English is desirable. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, or Spanish) is an asset.

Desirables:

• Experience in working with corporate ERPs (Enterprise Resource Planning) and IPSAS (International Public Sector Accounting Standards).
• Emotional Intelligence
• Managing complexity and change

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

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children.

The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will 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.

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 candidate are 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.