International Operations Manager – P4

UNFPA is recruiting for an International Operations Manager, P-4 grade level, for a vacant position in it’s country office in Syria. All recommended candidates who are not selected for this position, will be rostered for future consideration for International Operations Manager positions in other duty stations.

The Position:

The International Operations Manager operates under delegated authority from the UNFPA Representative. The functions of the International Operations Manager covers a broad range of issues ranging from financial and human resources management; procurement; IT; general administration; travel and logistics; common services; to security of UNFPA premises and staff. Under the overall guidance of the Representative, the International Operations Manager leads strategic planning for UNFPA operations and setting of management targets, and outsourced services provided by UNDP. The International Operations Manager advises the Representative on course correction; cost effectiveness; and creative responses to emerging complex challenges.

You will report to the UNFPA Representative in Syria.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

The key results have an impact on the overall economy, efficiency and effectiveness of CO operations, and the functioning of the UNFPA in line with commonly adopted practices as it relates to the use of corporate resources in the following areas:

• Financial Services
• Procurement and Logistical Services
• ICT
• Common Services and the implementation of the UN agenda on common services and joint procurement
• Human Resources Management
• Administrative Management

You would be responsible for:

A. Under delegated authority from the Representative, the International Operations Manager provides strategic direction of the UNFPA operations with the following expected results:

• Contribute to the delivery of the country programme, and overall operations are carried out, effectively, efficiently, on time and in a transparent manner;
• Annual and longer-term management targets, at the UNFPA corporate Country Office level are met;
• Determine optimal techniques/processes for improving effectiveness and efficiency of business operations;
• Knowledge is shared and applied within the Country Office, and the Country Office participates actively in the management practice;
• Build capacities of operations staff through coaching and mentoring on staff on all aspects of operations management;
• Create a learning environment; establish and institutionalize learning opportunities within the Country Office.
• Oversee and strengthen the integration of comprehensive risk management with the HACT Framework. This involves proactively identifying, assessing, and mitigating financial and operational risks associated with cash transfers to implementing partners, ensuring robust controls and compliance.

B. Under delegated authority, the International Operations Manager is responsible for the day-to- day management of UNFPA’s operations:

• Financial Management: has senior manager rights in UNFPA corporate systems/applications and ensures the integrity of financial systems, review of budget requirements and the consistent application or rules and regulations;
• General Administration: manages CO travel, logistics and premises; establishment of work plans, and monitors the achievement of results;
• Service Provision: is responsible for high quality provision of procurement and other project support services. Monitors quality and timeliness of services provided by Service Providers;

C. The International Operation Manager is UNFPA’s support to, and coordination of, common services:

• Provides policy support, guidance and advocacy on development, establishment and management of common services with other participating UN organizations/agencies at the Country level;
• Ensures that common services and joint arrangements benefit UNFPA in its objective to provide efficient and economical support services to the implementation of the country programme.

D. The International Operations Manager ensures the safety and security of UNFPA staff and premises, in particular:

• Supports the implementation of UN/UNDP MOSS compliance;
• Together with the Representative, represents UNFPA in the Security Management Team and is responsible for the efficient implementation in of UNFPA’s security measures agreed in the SMT and for compliance with security policy.

E. Under the overall guidance and leadership of the Representative, the International Operations Manager supports partnership building on operational issues:

• Represents UNFPA in inter-agency administrative meetings, and ensures smooth cooperation between agencies on joint undertakings like hardship questionnaires and salary surveys;
• Identifies new approaches and measures to further enhance UNFPA delivery capacities, professional management and cost effectiveness;
• Promotes a client-oriented approach among all operations staff.
• Teamwork: promotes cross-unit teamwork;
• Routinely monitors financial exception reports for unusual activities, transactions, and alert HQ to any unusual or suspicious transactions.

F. Under the overall guidance and leadership of the Representative, the International Operations Manager supports HR management functions in consultation with the Regional HRBP in ASRO:

• Coordinates with ASRO HR on human resources matters and provides support in maintaining optimal staffing of the office and for projects through timely provision and training of human resources (HR) applying best practice HR tools and mechanisms and advising on appropriate contractual modalities.
• Monitoring implementation by service providers (UNDP) of HR entitlements (salaries and benefits);
• Ensure timely renewal or separation of national staff and non-staff contracts;
• Ensure timely payment of local HR entitlements (Danger Pay, R&R etc.)
• Monitor performance management and timely completion of assessments
• Supervise recruitment, contracting and management of locally recruited staff (national officers and general service), local service contracts, Individual consultants, including payment of entitlements and proper conclusion of contracts
• Coordinates with ASRO HR and other HQ/RO focal points, on matters relating to office restructuring, including financial sustainability assessments, org charts, etc.

G. Under the overall guidance and leadership of the Representative, the International Operations Manager supports the overall administration of the CO and field offices:

• Supervises the management of UNFPA assets and facilities and asset certification;
• Ensures effective support to UNFPA programme activities through ensuring the smooth running of ICT services, managing data, information and workflow and ensure full compliance with UNFPA ICT policy and procedures.
• Participates in inter-agency meetings and working groups to ensure UNFPA interests are reflected in common system activities related to common services and premises, cost recovery and cost sharing arrangements, privileges and immunities, entitlements and salary surveys, security etc.
• Ensures a continuous support to IOMs in up-to-date flow of information between the CO and the Regional Office and HQ on financial management;

The International Operations Manager performs any other duties as may be directed by the Representative, by the management of the Country Office or Headquarters

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivilent) in Finance and Public /Business Administration, Public Policy, or other relevant social sciences

Knowledge and Experience:

• At least 7 years of relevant experience in development in a governmental, multilateral or civil society organization in a multi-cultural setting, including 3 or more years of senior-level management responsibilities in a challenging and complex organizational setting;
• Excellent management and leadership skills with the ability to build strong relationships with clients, focus on impact and result, and respond positively to feedback;
• Solid knowledge in financial management, contracts, asset and procurement, information and communication technology, and general administration;
• Ability to lead business processes re-engineering, to implement new systems, and to positively affect staff behavioural/ attitudinal changes;
• Demonstrates knowledge sharing orientation, and ability to mentor and coach staff;
• Demonstrates effective team building and leadership, and conflict resolution skills;
• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting, formulation and monitoring of projects/programmes;
• Initiative, strong conceptual abilities; sound judgment; strong interest in development work, especially the mission of UNFPA; and dedication to the principles of the United Nations.
  Experience in Humanitarian operations, data, and finance.

Languages:

Fluency in English. Knowledge of Arabic for the specific post in Syria would be desirable. Knowledge of other UN languages would be desirable for the purposes of the roster.

Required Competencies:

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity,
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,
• Embracing cultural diversity,
• Embracing change

Core Competencies:

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,

Functional Competencies:

• Advocacy/ Advancing a policy-oriented agenda,
• Leveraging the resources of national governments, regional partners/building strategic alliances and partnerships,
• Delivering results-based programmes,
• Internal and external communication and advocacy for results mobilization,
• Strategically positioning UNFPA Programmes,
• Providing conceptual innovation to support programme effectiveness,
• Generating, managing and promoting the use of knowledge and information,
• Providing a technical support system,
• Strengthening the programming capacity of Country Offices,
• Facilitating quality programmatic results.

Managerial Competencies (if applicable):

• Providing strategic focus,
• Engaging in internal/external partners and stakeholders,
• Leading, developing and empowering people, creating a culture of performance,
• Making decisions and exercising judgment.

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.

To view the complete job description and apply to this position, click “Apply Now” below.

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