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, an Advocate!

How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision of the Operations Officer, the Operations Associate is responsible for providing critical support across a range of operational functions within the Kano Field Office. This role ensures the efficient and effective management of financial transactions, and operational systems. The Operations Associate must demonstrate a strong understanding of UNICEF’s financial and operational processes, ensuring compliance with UNICEF’s policies and regulations. The role requires a proactive and organized individual who can work independently, research and adapt to irregular cases, and recommend improvements to enhance process delivery and design. By supporting both administrative and operational functions, the Operations Associate plays a vital role in maintaining the office’s efficiency and effectiveness.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  TA Operations Associate GS6.docx

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

key functions/accountabilities;

1. Support to Financial Control

• Review and submit payment to GSSC for utility payments, supplies, Purchase Orders (POs), advances, and other payments. Ensure all requests include the necessary supporting documents, are certified by the staff responsible, and are coded correctly.
• Managing the transition of UNICEF’s funding sources, ensuring compliance with policies, and maintaining clear communication with stakeholders.
• Monitor and advise budget Operations Manger on the financial status of operational projects, identifying potential under- and over-expenditures, and recommend reallocation to optimize available funds.
• Create financial commitments (Service requisitions and funds commitments) in alignment with the section’s approved budgets

2. Contracting of Service Providers

• Working closely with the supply associate, facilitate the processing of contracts for external parties, ensuring timely completion of contracting actions as per the UNICEF procurement rules and regulations.
• Assist in monitoring Operations PO status and open commitments by preparing regular and ad-hoc management reports.
• Maintain updated databases of contracts and follow up on contract expirations, renewals, or closures as needed.

3. General Operations and Governance Support

• Ensures the timely and cost-effective provision of basic office services including space and facilities management, equipment, communications and security to enhance staff safety and productivity.
• Maintains fiduciary integrity/responsibility for funds and assets.
• Maintain hard and electronic files and update database systems ensuring timely and appropriate recording, safekeeping and disposal of confidential information.
• Develop an efficient filing system to make updating and retrieving files easier, following policies and confidentiality dictations to safeguard data and information.
• Organize paperwork according to the filing system and digitalize all important documents. Protect and update files as necessary.
• Support initiatives for management improvement by capturing, institutionalizing and sharing best practices and lessons learned. Recommend improvements in processes and procedures to enhance productivity and performance including implementation of cost saving strategies.
• Participate and/or organize training and learning events to build capacity of staff and stakeholders/partners.
• Performs any other duties and responsibilities assigned as required.

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Completion of secondary education is required, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to the field of work.
• Work Experience: A minimum of 6 years of relevant administrative or clerical work experience is required.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

Desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.

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 candidates 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.