Deputy Regional Director, Middle East and North Africa Region (MENA), D-1, Amman, Jordan

UNICEF is seeking to appoint a Deputy Regional Director Operations for the Middle East and North Africa Region. The Deputy Regional Director Operations provides leadership and support to Country and Area offices, ensuring coordination and synergy between regional staff and country office leadership in the areas of operations, more specifically administration and finance, budget planning and management, supply, ICT, affordability and risk management. S/he supports the Regional Director in the management of the Regional Office, and in support of country offices. The incumbent will provide oversight for operations management in the region, providing direction, leadership and guidance to the multi-disciplinary team of administration, finance, supply, ICT, budgeting and risk management professionals of the regional office to ensure the achievement of organizational mission, strategy, goals and objectives. The Deputy Regional Director directly supervises the Operational areas as designated by the Regional Director.

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, dedication.

UNICEF is seeking to appoint a Deputy Regional Director Operations for the Middle East and North Africa Region. The Deputy Regional Director Operations provides leadership and support to Country and Area offices, ensuring coordination and synergy between regional staff and country office leadership in the areas of operations, more specifically administration and finance, budget planning and management, supply, ICT, affordability and risk management. S/he supports the Regional Director in the management of the Regional Office, and in support of country offices.

The Deputy Regional Director Operations advises and assists the Regional Director on matters relating to regional policy formulation and implementation supporting UNICEF operations in the region. S/he represents the Regional Director within and outside the United Nations system, as required.

The incumbent will provide oversight for operations management in the region, providing direction, leadership and guidance to the multi-disciplinary team of administration, finance, supply, ICT, budgeting and risk management professionals of the regional office to ensure the achievement of organizational mission, strategy, goals and objectives. The Deputy Regional Director directly supervises the Operational areas as designated by the Regional Director.

How can you make a difference?

The Deputy Regional Director Operations is accountable to the Regional Director in supporting the overall achievement of the goals, strategy and objectives of UNICEF-assisted regional operations in support of programmes, including during emergencies , as well as the effective coordination, technical support and oversight of UNICEF offices in the region.

The Deputy Regional Director Operations key functions and accountabilities include Regional level leadership and guidance:

1.Effective leadership and technical guidance, oversight and coordination is provided to ensure the achievement of operations goals at regional level, and through the functions of various Regional Advisors in the operations areas.

2.Effective oversight, monitoring and guidance of results in full implementation of the Regional Office Management. Plan and related objectives, work plan and activities of the Regional Office team.

3.Coordination of the work of Regional Office teams to ensure the effective and efficient management and administration of UNICEF’s resources in accordance with established policies, standards, rules and procedures.

4.Effective leadership exerted in the appropriate alignment of global and regional policies, strategy and operations priorities for effective achievement of results, solution focused analysis, and risk informed decisions making

5.Proactive representation of UNICEF in key inter-agency fora at the regional level ensures effective contribution to and integration of UNICEF work in broader UN activities.

7.Use of programme resources and programme and management performance within the region is regularly monitored with a view to supporting actions that improve country programme performance and risk management.

8.Strategic level advice and guidance to Country Office and Country Programme teams secures optimal results in the development, review and monitoring of Country Programmes of Cooperation (budgets and resources), in line with UNICEF procedures.

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

• Advanced university degree in Business Management, Financial Management, Accounting, Public Finance and related operations function (Supply chain, ICT, International Business, Project Management, etc…) or a full professional accounting designation from an internationally recognized institute/body of accountancy with valid membership in a good standing is required).
• At least 13 years of professional work experience is required specifically in advocating and implementing strategic organizational initiatives in one or more operations management area including risk management; budget; financial management and reporting; facilities management administration; supply and logistics management; ICT.
• Prior experience in the development sector or UN system/international NGOs would be an asset.
• Experience and proven track record in managing emergencies, sensitive and complex situations and security-related issues.
• Effective people management and proven ability to guide, motivate and lead a large multi-disciplinary team.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered an important asset.

Person Profile:

• Senior leadership experience and skills with demonstrated ability to lead team of senior technical professionals.
• Excellent managerial, interpersonal and leadership skills with demonstrated ability to coach, mentor and motivate staff and foster a positive working environment within the Regional Office.
• Extensive broad-based programming experience, specifically thorough understanding of humanitarian and development nexus, early recovery and middle/high-income programming.
• Proven knowledge and experience in formulating strategies and managing a large size programme (sectoral, development, humanitarian, advocacy, policy dialogue and capacity building) and/or office.
• Experience in ensuring integration and synergy across sectoral in accordance with best practices.
• Strong track record on strategic planning and results-based management.
• Proven risk management skills and efficient management of financial resources.
• Experience in development effectiveness and UN Coherence processes; political maturity and strong diplomacy skills that translate in the ability to work with a range of partners.
• Proven ability to negotiate and advocate effectively and to build relations with a variety of donor and partners.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability(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…

• Builds and maintains partnerships
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
• Drive to achieve results for impact
• Innovates and embraces change
• 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.

Remarks:

This position is classified as “rotational” which means the incumbent is expected to rotate to another duty station upon completion of their tour of duty. 

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also 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 cancelled.

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.

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