Title: Deputy Representative, Operations
Level: P4
Reports to: Representative
Duration: Three months
Section: Operations Section
Location: Conakry, Guinea
Dates/Duration: Stretch assignment from 01^st October until 31st December 2024.
Eligibility: All Fixed-Term, Permanent or continuing appointment UNICEF staff members currently working in UNICEF worldwide.

Duration
This stretch assignment will be for a period of three (3) months.

Background

Guinea is a low-income country with significant child deprivation. With a Human Development Index of 0,477 it ranks 178th out of 189 nations (2019). Since 1984, UNICEF has collaborated with other UN agencies, nonprofit organizations, faith-based organizations, youth organizations, and other partners to support the government in its efforts to support child development. The 2024-2028 country program includes interventions across education, protection, health, nutrition, water and sanitation, and social policy programs. In the field, through the zone offices in Labé, Kankan and Nzérékoré, UNICEF ensures the active implementation of programs across the country including the most remote areas. The UNICEF Guinea office is looking for committed and creative professionals to make a lasting difference for Guinean children.

The Operations function supports the Representative on managing the office and monitoring operations and program as needed, while providing advice on best and innovative management practices to enhance office performance. The function is a strategic Business Partner role within the Senior Management team, assuring the best use of UNICEF assets in alignment with sound management practices, office priorities and goals to deliver results for children.

Purpose of Assignment:

As a Strategic Business Partner and Deputy for the Head of Office, the incumbent will be responsible to lead for results, drive change, provide risk informed, solution-focused analysis, advice and services and contribute to program and management decisions for delivering results for children in all operational contexts.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

• Leading by example and supporting the Head of Office on managing the office
• Acting as Officer in Charge in the absence of the Head of Office
• Managing 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 and convening the other functions to arrive at a unified vision;
• Acting as member of the Country and Senior Management Teams, representing the organizational risk, governance systems and policies perspective in management discussions, and promoting results-based management.
• Understanding business needs for the Country Programme, to anticipate challenges, propose viable/creative solutions aimed at value for money.
• Providing key contribution to CPD, CPMP, AMP and support to Results Based Management and implementation using Value for Money criteria.
• Leveraging technology for results and program accountabilities, making effective adoption of tools and promoting the fundamentals of ICT management, information security and controls;
• Supporting the country office during external and internal audit reviews and responding to audit observations and monitoring implementation of recommendations.
• Guiding 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;
• Leveraging governance, systems, and tools to provide regular feedback on risks and achievements of operations functions in the country;
• Leading on facility management with a specific focus on inclusive accessibility, eco sustainability and common premises;
• Overseeing 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

see attached TORs ToR_Stretch Assignment.docx

Minimum Qualifications:

Education

• An Advanced University Degree (Master’s and above) 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.) 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

Experience

• A minimum of 8 years of professional experience, at the national and international level, is required, specifically in implementing strategic organizational initiatives in one or more operations management area 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.
• Experience in working with corporate ERPs (Enterprise Resource Planning) and IPSAS (International Public Sector Accounting Standards) is highly desirable.
• Experience in Results Based Management is a requirement.
• Experience in supporting successful client-oriented work units is an asset.
• Previous hands on experience in strategic operations is a strong asset.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office applications is required.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.

Language

• Fluency in french is required. Working knowledge in english.

Core Values:

Care, respect, integrity, trust, accountability, and sustainability.

Core Competencies:

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (3)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (3)
• Works Collaboratively with others (3)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (3)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (3)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (3)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (3)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (3)

Funding arrangement
This is a temporary development opportunity and there will be no changes to the staff member’s status (position number, level, etc.).

The Office will cover the ticket for economy class travel and 100% of the UN DSA rate during the first 30 days, and 50% DSA for the remaining time.

Interested UNICEF staff should discuss this opportunity with their supervisor and seek the approval of their management before applying.

Candidates considered potentially well-matched for the stretch assignment will be contacted for an informal interview. Supervisors may also be contacted for references.