Stretch Assignment: Deputy Representative Operations P4, Cotonou Benin Onsite
Title: Deputy Representative Operations P4
Reports to: Representative
Duration: Four months – with a possibility to split to two period of two months
Section: Operations Section
Location: Cotonou Benin
Dates/Duration: Stretch assignment from 22nd September 2025 until 22nd January 2026.
Eligibility: All Fixed-Term, Permanent or continuing appointment UNICEF staff members currently working in UNICEF worldwide.
UNICEF, guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, works together with partners in 190 countries and territories to promote and advocate for the protection of the rights of every child.
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.
To learn more about our country programme visit UNICEF Bénin | UNICEF
Background
Benin is a middle-income country that faces many challenges in guaranteeing the rights of every child. Ranked 158th out of 191 countries on the Human Development Index (UNDP, 2021/2022), it has significant disparities between urban and rural areas, and between girls and boys. Since 1977, UNICEF has been working closely with the government, civil society, technical and financial partners, young people and communities to improve access to education, health services, protection, water, sanitation, nutrition and social policies for children.
The 2024-2026 cooperation program pays particular attention to girls' education, protection against violence, community health, and the fight against child labor. Present in the field through its offices in Cotonou, Natitingou and Parakou, UNICEF is committed to working alongside the most vulnerable communities to guarantee concrete, lasting results.
The UNICEF Benin office is looking for committed, creative and motivated professionals to make a difference in the life of every Beninese child.
Purpose of the Position
As a Strategic Business Partner and Deputy for the Head of the Office, the incumbent will be responsible to lead for results, drive change, provide risk informed, solution-focused analysis, advice and services and contribute to programme and management decisions for delivering results for children in all operational contexts.
Key expected results
Strategic Operations will accomplish this by:
- 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, 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 programme 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
- The Deputy Representative, Operations 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, Valuing Partners.
Minimum Qualifications and Competencies
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.
- Work 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.
Experiences in Enterprise Risk Management and Results Based Management are requirements.
- Skills: Familiarity with Microsoft Office applications is required
- Language Requirements: Fluency in French and working knowledge in English is required
Desirables:
- 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
- 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 supporting successful client-oriented work units is an asset.
- Previous hands on experience in strategic operations is a strong asset.
- Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset.
- Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.
If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about children’s rights and making a lasting difference on children’s lives, one of the global leading entities on children’s rights would like to hear from you.
For every Child, you demonstrate...
UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, Sustainability (CRITAS), and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.
UNICEF is also proud of a diverse workforce who are profoundly committed to supporting the full realization of children’s rights, and in uplifting a rights-based approach in all that we do.
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
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.
