Head of Support Services

UNOPS activities in Guatemala have lasted 26 years. We started operations in the country in 1997, and from the beginning, we have always been characterised by intervening in a variety of sectors and projects of varying complexities. From accompanying the peace process following the armed conflict, promoting productive activity in regions of extreme poverty, to modernising the state in terms of reducing infrastructure gaps, sustainable procurement in various sectors including health, and more recently, supporting efforts in transparency and efficiency of public institutions, in line with the priorities of the government and the well-being of Guatemalans.

 Functional Responsibilities

The Head of Support Services (HoSS) reports to the Country Director and is responsible for:

Operational Leadership, advisory and technical support:

• Leads and oversees critical operations, including finance, HR, procurement, HSSE, ICT, and administration, ensuring compliance with corporate policies and UN standards. As a key advisor to the Country Director, the HOSS will help shape strategic decisions, foster a culture of integrity, and inspire a high-performance team.

Project planning and coordination support:

• Advises and provides high level support on efficient project planning and coordination, including budget preparation, financial monitoring, risk management, and performance evaluation. This role involves advising on project goal setting, contract negotiations, cost-sharing, and fund deployment while ensuring smooth operations and mitigating potential risks. Work closely with the Programme and Project Managers to troubleshoot challenges and ensure everything stays on track.

Procurement:

• Oversees and supervises procurement team and procurement processes, ensuring the process adheres to UNOPS regulations and ethical standards. The HOSS leadership will ensure that every step is transparent and compliant, while still driving forward project goals efficiently.

Financial and compliance management:

• Leads financial planning, budgeting, and compliance management for the Country Office. This role ensures adherence to UNOPS financial regulations, oversees expenditure control, and manages financial reporting, accounting, and cash flow operations. The HOSS will drive efficiency, supervise financial services, resolve issues, and act as the focal point for audits while ensuring optimal resource utilization and accountability.

Human resource management:

• Leads human resource team and oversees the human resources management compliance with HR regulations. This role ensures strategic workforce planning, creating a thriving culture of continuous learning and professional development.

Administration and Information Technology:

• Oversees administration and IT operations, ensuring a secure and reliable ICT environment, asset management, and efficient service delivery.

Knowledge management and innovation:

• Drives knowledge management and innovation, ensuring the integration of best practices into Country Office operations. This role involves promoting learning, sharing lessons for corporate development, and leading strategic capacity-building initiatives for staff, clients, and stakeholders. Foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation to enhance operational excellence.

Education Experience Language requirements:

Education:

• A Master’s Degree in Finance, Business Administration, Economics, Human Resources Management, Procurement, Asset Management/Logistics or other relevant field is required.
• A Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Business Administration, Economics, Human Resources Management, Procurement, Asset Management/Logistics or other relevant field in combination with an additional two (2) years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above

Experience/Requirements:

• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience covering at least two (2) of the following operations functions: Procurement, Finance, Logistics/ Asset Management and Human Resources. Knowledge of the other functions is required.  Knowledge of the other functions is desirable.
• A minimum of three (3) years of leadership experience, including a proven track record managing staff and operational systems is required.
• Some experience in UN system organizations preferably in a developing country is desirable.
• Experience dealing with UN regulations, rules and policies in the areas of contracting, procurement and human resources is desirable.
• Willingness to work in hardship duty stations and/or travel to post crisis locations.

Language Requirements:

• Flency of English and Spanish language is required.
• Knowledge of another official UNOPS language is an asset.

Source: https://jobs.unops.org/Pages/ViewVacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=29676#3