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 for as long as we are needed. 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 professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.
Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.
For every child, Hope!
The fundamental 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 the health, 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.
How can you make a difference?
As a Senior Operation Associate, the incumbent will be responsible for the 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 Senior Operations Associate will accomplish this by:
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Leverage ICT tools and platforms to streamline processes in budgeting, financial reporting, procurement, administration, and facilities management.
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Supporting services in the others functional areas of operations: budget, financial management and reporting, facilities management, administration, supply and procurement management, information and communications technology, and safety and security.
The position reports to the Chief of Field Office with responsibility for management and coordination of work for the Operations Section. The role of this post is to provide administrative and finance support services within the UNICEF Field Office. The Senior Operations Associate is responsible for ensuring the smooth running of operations activities and will be responsible for providing a variety of specialized tasks in finance functions, ensuring accurate and timely delivery that follows UNICEF financial rules and regulations, whilst demonstrating the capacity to research, adapt and evaluate irregular cases, and to recommend improvements to process delivery and design.
The role involves management of information and coordination of programs and other office related activities. The post is a key interface with a broad range of contacts including high-ranking officials, both within and outside the Organization, and prioritizes tasks and organizes work under close guidance from the supervisor.
Key functions/accountabilities:
- Ensure the effective, equitable and efficient operations of the Field office's finance, budget, information & communication technology, supply & logistics, human resource and administrative systems to support and facilitate the attainment of programmatic goals and objectives by meeting changing operational requirements.
- Identify specific goals that technology can help achieve, such as improving access to services or enhancing data-driven decision-making.
- Implement solutions like mobile apps, online platforms, and automated systems to improve the efficiency and reach of services.
- Develop and enforce protocols for data encryption, secure access, and regular security audits.
- Use software solutions for budgeting, financial reporting, procurement, and administration to reduce manual effort and increase accuracy.
- Implement systems for tracking and managing resources, maintenance schedules, and space utilization.
- Streamlining Use booking systems, automated check-in/check-out processes, and smart technologies to enhance guest experience and operational
- Implement smart meters, automated lighting, and HVAC systems to optimize energy consumption.
- Use IoT devices and data analytics to optimize space usage and improve facility management.
- Ensure efficient, cost-effective and transparent utilization of resources through knowledge and technology transfer between offices and consistency of approaches and applications.
- Ensures that all administrative transactions and arrangements of contracts are in compliance with the applicable policies, procedures, rules and regulations.
Contribute to the reviews of contractual arrangements related to administrative support (i.e. courier, premises maintenance, ancillary administrative support, vehicle maintenance, equipment maintenance etc.) to ensure that the terms and conditions of all contracts are being adhered to by providers of goods and services. Proposes to the Chief of Field Office any changes that may be required. Monitors payments against contractual obligations.
- Contribute to recommendations on the improvement of internal controls systems taking into account the prevailing conditions in the locality.
- Coordinates and oversees several Operations functions, such as Business Continuity, and Enterprise Risk Management, and provides
- Maintains financial records and monitoring systems to record and reconcile expenditures, balances, payments, statements and other data for day-to-day transactions and reports. Prepare recurring reports as scheduled and special reports, as required for budget preparation, audits or other reasons. Close year-end accounts and assist in the preparation of year-end reports related to accounts receivable, accounts payable, prepayment, deposits, and leave balances, etc.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
- Education: Completion of secondary education is required. Or University degree (Bachelor’s) in administration, finance, or any other related field of discipline relevant to the job is an asset.
- Work Experience:
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For a candidate with secondary education only, a minimum of seven years of relevant professional work experience is required.
Note:
For a candidate with Master’s degree it is required to have a minimum of two years of relevant professional experience
Or for a candidate with bachelor’s degree is required to have a minimum four years of relevant professional experience.
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Work experience in emergency duty station.
- Language Requirements: Fluency in French and good working knowledge of English are required. Knowledge of a local language is an asset.
Desirables:
National work experience ICT, in office management, finance, and administration, supply and/or other related fields.
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 promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.
UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.
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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
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 is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. 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.
Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.
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.
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.
