Note: This Vacancy Announcement has been re-opened following an update to the Job Description. Applicants who applied during the first opening remain under consideration and do not need to re-apply.

The Position:

The International Operations Manager (IOM) post is located in Regional Offices and reports directly to the Regional Director. The IOM is a member of the Regional Management Team, with the Regional Director and the Deputy Regional Director.  The IOM provides strategic  leadership and advice on all aspects of operations, from financial resources and budget management, procurement and SCM and last miles assurance, enhanced risk management and internal controls, internal oversight, audits and implementation of internal audit recommendations in the region, to implementing partners management, IT, general administration, travel and logistics, common services and security of UNFPA premises and staff, including in humanitarian context.  The IOM leads day-to-day office operations and supervises the Operations team of the RO.

The IOM also provides management advisory support and oversight to Country Offices in the region on operations issues, in collaboration with the regional programme and technical team.  The International Operations Manager leads strategic planning for UNFPA operations and setting of management targets, and outsourced services in line with corporate priorities and interfaces with Head Quarter business units (DMS, SCMU, ITSO, OED, DHR, HO, PSD, OAIS) to ensure that programmes are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between business units and projects across the entire region.   

International Operations Manager as part of the UN Regional Operations Management Team, ensures UNFPA’s active contribution in advancing the SG’s UN Reform and efficiency agenda and attaining greater effectiveness and efficiency through the implementation of the Business Operations Strategy and Common Back Office initiatives in the region. 
 

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

The International Operations Manager role is to ensure a smooth functioning, well-managed and results oriented Regional Office and to facilitate programme implementation and delivery by providing for the operational needs of programmes and projects managed by the Region. The function is a strategic operations role within the Senior Management Team, assuring the best use of UNFPA assets in alignment with sound management practices, office priorities and goals to deliver strategic results. The IOM strengthens and supports Country Offices within the region in their operations, needs and queries by developing corporate administrative management policies, regulations, rules and procedures compatible with regional needs.  

You would be responsible for:  

A. Provide strategic direction for UNFPA operations within the region

  • Ensure overall operations are carried out, effectively, efficiently, on time and in a transparent manner; 
  • Ensure annual and longer-term management targets, at the UNFPA corporate, regional, and Country Office level are met;
  • Monitor and guide the implementation of internal control mechanisms to prevent fraud and mismanagement, ensure compliance with UNFPA policies and procedures related to administrative, financial, and risk management; act as regional audit focal point and support internal and external audit work and verification missions in the region;
  • Determine optimal techniques/processes for improving effectiveness and efficiency of business operations, provide solutions for operational bottlenecks;
  • Ensure knowledge is shared and applied between the regional office and COs within the region; 
  • Build capacity of operations staff through coaching and mentoring staff on all aspects of operations management, including financial and budget management, procurement and supplies chain management, implementing partner management, risk and assurance activities management, administration and travel management, premises and common services for development programmes as well as offices carrying out emergency and  humanitarian response;
  • Create a learning environment; establish and institutionalize learning opportunities within the Regional Office. 
  • Support the COs in the implementation of the efficiency agenda in coordination with the FASB
  • Provide oversight over the operations in the COs within the region by providing advisory services in coordination with the different units in HQ
  • Keep abreast of industry standards in management and operations. Institutionalize and share best practices and knowledge learned with global and Country Office colleagues to contribute to organizational development initiatives to strengthen management and operations.
  • Represent the region in the different working groups and committees established in HQ, notably (Audit Monitoring Committee, Policy Review Committee, ERP/ICT Project Board, UN reform WGs)
  • Participate in corporate initiatives, including on strengthening operational efficiency and effectiveness, oversight and monitoring,risk management, innovation, as well as  interagency meetings and working groups at the regional level 

B. Ensure well-managed and results-oriented operations within region

  • Serve as a member of the Regional Management Team, and provide advice and support to the Regional Director and the Deputy Director on operations issues
  • Oversee operational and staffing requirements for Programmes within Region and their component projects by participating in review meetings and assessing the managerial and operational capacities of implementing partners, in close collaboration with programme and technical teams, including Emergency Response (EPPs) and scale up of operations in the context of emergency and humanitarian response; 
  • Manage services and team 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;
  • Analyze operational aspects of project inputs under both partners’ and UNFPA execution in terms of personnel, equipment, sub-contracts, procurement, training, risk management, due diligence,  leveraging governance, systems, and tools to provide regular feedback on risks and achievements of operations functions in the region;
  • Ensure strategic and efficient management of offices and programmes financial resources, while exercising proper financial controls and adherence to corporate financial policies, rules and regulations.  Develop appropriate alternative solutions to meet programme and office objectives when deviation from rules and regulations necessary;
  • Understand business needs of the Regional Programme, to anticipate challenges, propose viable solutions, provide creative and innovative ideas aimed at a solution-focused approach to include value for money strategies, all underpinned by quality assurance measures.
  • Maintain optimal staffing of offices and projects, provide strategic advice and contribute to office realignment exercises guiding on costing, funding and calculating the sustainability of the proposed structure, as well as suggest right in/outsourcing of the operations services from other UN agencies.   Monitor implementation by service providers;
  • Supervise implementation of corporate financial, procurement and administrative systems and ensure adequate training of staff and project personnel on these issues. Ensure a continuous and updated flow of information between  country offices, RO , and headquarters;
  • Maintain oversight for the timely provision of goods and services, inventory and supplies management and last miles assurance for offices and programmes following established corporate procedures regarding sub-contract review and awarding of contracts, evaluate cost effectiveness and manages;
  • Manage UNFPA assets and liabilities and ensure proper inventory control;
  • Ensure; that UNFPA interests are reflected in common system activities related to common services and premises, cost-recovery, and cost-sharing arrangements, privileges and immunities, entitlements and salary surveys, security, etc. by participating actively in inter-agency meetings and working groups;
  • Ensure corrective action taken as appropriate on audit findings, advances, Purchase Orders and Requisitions, payments and other financial/administrative issues; and

Perform any other duties as may be required by the Regional Director/Deputy Regional Director. 
 

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

Advanced university degree in any of the following disciplines: Public Administration or  Business Administration, Economics, Management or other related field.

  • Knowledge and Experience:  
    • At least 7 years of experience in development in a governmental, multilateral or civil society organization in a multi-cultural setting, including 3 or more years’ experience in managing teams in a complex organizational setting 
    • Ability to build strong relationships with clients, focus on impact and result, and respond positively to feedback 
    • Solid knowledge in procurement, financial and human resources management, contract, asset, and information and communication technology 
    • Ability to lead business process re-engineering, to implement new systems, and to positively affect staff behavioural/ attitudinal changes 
    • Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting, formulation and monitoring of projects/programmes 
    • Experience in international development and dedication to the principles of the United Nations 
    • Field experience is essential; humanitarian context is an asset. 
    • Demonstrated ability to sustain and advance current partnerships 
    • Demonstrated ability to provide strategic vision and focus by successfully communicating and implementing priorities based on clear deliverables. 
    • Demonstrated ability to take responsibility for team decisions, providing the rationale as appropriate. 
    • Demonstrated ability to provide team managers with the needed direction to achieve results and hold them accountable. 
     

Languages: 

Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

Required Competencies: 

Values:

  • Exemplifying integrity, 
  • Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, 
  • Embracing cultural diversity, 
  • Embracing change

Core Competencies: 

  • Achieving results,
  • Being accountable,
  • Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
  • Thinking analytically and strategically,
  • Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,
  • Communicating for impact

UN Leadership Characteristics: 

  • Norm-based - grounded in UN norms and standards
  • Principled - defends norms and standards without discrimination, fear or favour,
  • Inclusive of all personnel and stakeholders
  • Accountable,
  • Multi-dimensional,
  • Transformational
  • Collaborative
  • Self-applied- modelled in our own behaviour
     

Managerial Competencies:

  • Providing strategic focus,
  • Engaging in internal/external partners and stakeholders,
  • Leading, developing and empowering people, creating a culture of performance,
  • Making decisions and exercising judgment.
     

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+; community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.

At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.