Join UNICEF as a Senior Operations Associate. You will contribute to the promotion of children's rights by ensuring the smooth running of day-to-day operations in our Global Office in Istanbul , keeping people, processes, and services moving so our teams can focus on what matters most.

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, the right to a Chance

Join UNICEF as a Senior Operations Associate. You will contribute to the promotion of children's rights by ensuring the smooth running of day-to-day operations in our Global Office in Istanbul , keeping people, processes, and services moving so our teams can focus on what matters most.

How can you make a difference?

In a dynamic operational environment, UNICEF is committed to delivering effective and responsive administrative services that keep its workforce focused on what matters most: children. The Senior Operations Associate (G-7), based in UNICEF Global Office in Istanbul , plays a key role in ensuring seamless day-to-day operations across the office. Reporting to the Administrative Officer, this role covers a broad range of administrative and operational functions, from policy compliance and contract management to protocol support for incoming international staff.

With a focus on keeping the office running smoothly, you will proactively anticipate operational needs and develop practical solutions that align administrative services with business goals. This role strengthens UNICEF's ability to support its people; ensuring staff are equipped, informed, and well-settled so they can meet evolving operational demands while upholding UNICEF's core values.

Summary of Key Functions & Accountabilities

  • Administrative Policy and Procedures: Serve as the operational focal point for administrative rules and regulations, ensuring correct interpretation and application across the office. Identify gaps in internal controls, propose improvements, and prepare reports on administrative matters as required.
  • Contracts and Transactions: Oversee administrative contracts and transactions to ensure full compliance with UNICEF policies. Monitor payments against contractual obligations and recommend adjustments to service arrangements where needed.
  • Events, Travel and Supplies: Support planning and execution of in-office and external events and meetings.  Manage travel arrangements for staff and maintain adequate inventory and timely procurement of office supplies and equipment.
  • Protocol and Settlement Support: Facilitate protocol requirements for incoming and departing international staff, liaising with MoFA, DGMM, and UNDSS as required. Provide onboarding, orientation, and settlement assistance in line with local regulations and organizational standards.
  • Partnerships and Collaboration: Build and maintain effective working relationships with UN agencies, local authorities, and service providers on administrative matters, including joint initiatives such as UN Common Premises projects.

This role is critical in ensuring the smooth delivery of administrative and operational services, fostering an efficient and well-supported workplace, and strengthening UNICEF's capacity to deliver results for children in Istanbul and beyond.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Download File Classified Job Descriptions - Senior Operations Associate.pdf

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have… 

Minimum requirements

  • Education: Secondary Education in any related fields.
    A Bachelor or equivalent (First Level University Degree) from a recognized academic institution in business administration, public administration, international relations, social sciences, or a related field, relevant to the position may replace 3 years of experience. A Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) may replace an additional 2 years.
  • Work Experience: At least 7 years of relevant work experience in Administration, Operations, procurement, travel coordination, facilities management, inventory management, protocol management. and any other related fields.
  • Skills: Experience in office management, contract management, stakeholder management, events coordination, SAP, Microsoft Office is required.
  • Language Requirements: Proficiency in English and Turkish languages is required.


Desirables

    1. Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.
    2. UN experience, knowledge in Staff mobility, Turkish legal frameworks, DGMM, residency, work permits is a strong asset.
    3. Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts. 
    •  

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

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

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 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.

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.

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.

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.