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, future

The fundamental and primary mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy, and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop, and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias, or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic, and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in child survival, education, and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

The Operations function is a strategic Business Partner role, assuring the best use of UNICEF assets in alignment with sound management practices, office priorities, and goals to deliver results for children.

How can you make a difference?

As a Strategic Business Partner, the incumbent will be accountable for operations functions, facilitate change, provide risk-informed, solution-focused analysis, advice, and services, and contribute to programme and management decisions for delivering results for children in specific operational contexts. The Operations Specialist 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.
• Supporting the line manager to implement career development, and opportunities for staff, in collaboration with the Human Resource Officer.
• Acting as a member of the Country and Senior Management Teams, representing the organizational risks, governance systems and policies, and promoting results-based management.
• Understanding business needs for the office, anticipating challenges, propose viable/creative solutions aimed at value for money.
• Providing key contributions to CPD, CPMP, and AMP and support to Results Based Management and implementation using Value for Money criteria.
• Promoting the fundamentals of ICT management, information security, and controls, in collaboration with the ICT Officer.
• 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, and providing advisory support to governments, national systems, and partners on supply chain management.
• Supporting the country office during external and internal audit reviews, peer reviews responding to audit observations, and monitoring implementation of recommendations.
• Providing regular feedback on risks and achievements of operations functions in the office.
• Leading facility management with a specific focus on inclusive accessibility, eco-sustainability, and common premises.
• Monitoring business transactions processed by GSSC from a perspective of Efficiency, Performance, Risk Management, and Fraud prevention.
• Supporting the management of PSFR operations and promoting efficiency across systems and processes, where applicable.

The Operations Specialist will be entrusted with the following five pillars, the core focus of all operations functions: Valuing People, Valuing Money, Valuing Risk Management, Valuing Systems and Structures, and Valuing Partners.

Key functions, accountabilities, and related duties/tasks

Valuing People: Develop people resources to promote technical competence and foster career progression and retention of a “fit for purpose”/ agile workforce.

• Facilitate an environment of management excellence, staff well-being, and accessibility and inclusion through the implementation of strategies, policies, and procedures.
• Implement solutions and advise office management on people management and office culture.
• Coordinate the human resource development and resourcing strategies to bring about changes in knowledge, skills, abilities, and mindsets for Operations staff.
• Keep abreast of industry standards in management and finance and share best practices and knowledge learned within the office.
• Support Excellence in Operations in UNICEF derived from the five strategic pillars.

Valuing Money: Champion strategic resources to achieve organizational goals and ensure Value for Money (VfM)

• Ensure effective identification and use of resources in various concrete Value for Money (VfM) areas, including eco-efficiency and inclusivity, common premises, costing, results-based budgeting financial monitoring, etc.
• Support Business Units on options to generate greater VfM.
• Led the financial oversight management, monitoring, and reporting of all the country programme budgets, in collaboration with the Deputy Representative, Programmes – and where applicable private sector fundraising budgets; made analysis and recommendations for the Representative’s and Deputy Representative’s to take risk-informed decisions.
• Implement various modalities of valuing resources through financing modalities such as budgeting and pre-financing modalities for supplies, cash-based transfer, etc., in collaboration with the Deputy Representative, Programmes.
• Oversee implementation of the Supply plan for the office and stay abreast of the regional strategies.

Valuing Risk Management: Enhance Risk Management to increase organizational performance and strengthen internal control.

• Support the office with up-to-date information to make operational and programmatic risk-informed decisions and improve performance, with the support of the enterprise Governance, Risk and Compliance (eGRC) platform.
• Update and participate in testing of business continuity plans to ensure UNICEF organizational resilience to disaster and risks and staff safety and security as well as Emergency Preparedness and Response to humanitarian situations.
• Review internal controls and policies/guidance included in the Regulatory Framework, provide oversight of appropriate implementation of policies and procedures, and provide feedback on policy and internal controls as appropriate.
• Support implementation of mandatory anti-fraud systems, processes, and actions, and share anti-fraud achievements within the office.
• Facilitate mitigation of risks of engagement with external partners, including UN collaboration, the business sector, and public and private donors via appropriate, risk-informed due diligence.

Valuing Systems and Structures: Ensure further operational centralization and optimization for maximized efficiency gains.

• Review and recommend simplification of Operations processes to minimize cost, reduce duplication of work and maximize efficiencies while creating an environment of smarter controls to render the organization agile, resilient, and ready to respond to programme needs.
• Facilitate compliance with systems by building awareness and capacity of users, explore new ways of working – including in the context of SG Reform – and continuously improve IT-enabled business processes to increase productivity and collaboration, better knowledge management, and ensure effective use of UNICEF assets.
• Provide key contributions to CPMP and AMP and review operational structures in collaboration with Regional Chiefs of Operations and the Strategic Business Support unit in DFAM.

Valuing Partners: Strengthening internal and external-facing partnerships and leveraging UNICEF’s oversight and understanding of financial management across all areas of the office.

• Provide technical support and recommendations on HACT implementation, including, advice approach to undertaking spot checks, follow-up actions required on the result of financial assurance activities; the use and collaboration with the Supreme Audit Institution; and use of micro-assessment results including the appropriate level of capacity building in financial management.
• Partner with the Programme by providing advice and recommendations on programme budgeting through contributions to programme documents and support the financial impact analysis and determination of refunds and amounts owing to the CSO.
• Support UNICEF Office resource mobilization partners from donor negotiation and formulation of partnership agreements and contracts through written financial reporting, resolve discrepancies, and ensure donor accountability and transparency.
• Foster a positive and enabling operations environment that supports private-sector fundraising and solution-focused engagement (where applicable).
• Engage as effective stakeholders in the UN Reform, facilitating Business Operating Services (BOS) and proactively paving the way for a potential “one back office” in country offices.

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

Education:

An Advanced University Degree 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.) is required or a full professional accounting designation (CA, ACA, ACCA, CPA, CIMA, CPFA, Expert Comptable) from an internationally recognized institute/body of accountancy with valid membership in good standing is required.

Work Experience:

A minimum of 5 years of professional experience, at the national and/or international level, is required, specifically in implementing organizational initiatives 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 resources.

Prior experience in the development sector or UN system/ international NGOs would be an asset.

Additional experience in one or more of the following areas would be desired:

• Audit and investigations
• Safety and Security
• Grant Management
• Enterprise Risk Management

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 desirable.

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

Knowledge of Results Based Management is a requirement.

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

Familiarity with Microsoft Office applications is required.

Language Requirements:  Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or the local language of the duty station is considered an asset.

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 (8) Nurtures, leads and manages people.

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 benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, 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 candidates are encouraged to apply.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.

[CO/ HQ specific: visa residence requirements: i.e.: UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.]

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.