International Operations Manager (IOM), Yaoundé, Cameroon, P-4

The Position:

The International Operations Manager (IOM) plays a leading role in supporting the delivery of the UNFPA country programme, which aims to realize the 2030 Agenda in order to make a positive difference in the lives of millions of people. Under the guidance of the Representative, the IOM leads strategic planning for UNFPA operations, setting of  management targets, and outsourced services. The IOM leads a broad portfolio ranging from financial; procurement; IT; travel and logistics and common services. The IOM partners with regional experts in the area of safety and to security of UNFPA premises and human resources, and with other UN agencies, funds and programmes to implement the Business Operations Strategy (BOS). The IOM also advises the Representative on course correction; compliance, cost effectiveness; and creative responses to emerging complex challenges. 

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.

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

UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact sustained results, ensuring effective external relations, communications, partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results

Job Purpose:

You play a leading role in achieving key results which have an impact on the overall  economy, efficiency and effectiveness of Country Office operations, and the functioning of  UNFPA in line with the use of corporate resources in the following areas:  

• Financial Services 
• Procurement and Logistical Services 
• ICT 
• UNFPA Personnel safety and security 
• Implementation of the UN agenda on common services and joint procurement
• Administrative Human Resources Support in coordination with the Division of Human Resources. 

You are accountable for supporting the effective development and delivery of an innovative Country Programme focused on population and development and universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights, including maternal health, family planning, gender, and adolescent and youth empowerment. 

Through delivery of effective programmes, including in emergency settings, you serve on  the frontline, supporting the organization’s ability to deliver high quality results. Your ultimate accountability is to the people that you serve; the most vulnerable, excluded, or marginalized and for the causes that you serve; human rights, sustainable development and humanitarian relief. 

You would be responsible for:

A. Strategic direction of UNFPA operations 

• Contribute to the delivery of the country programme, and ensure overall operations are carried out effectively, in a transparent manner and in compliance with established policies, procedures and rules. 
• Ensure annual and longer-term management targets, at the UNFPA corporate and Country Office level are met. 
• Determine optimal approaches for improving effectiveness and efficiency of business management, fostering innovation and furthering operational excellence. 
• Drive knowledge management practices within the office. 
• Build capacity of staff through coaching and mentoring on operations management relevant for programme implementation and sound project management. 

B. Day-to-day management of UNFPA’s operations 

• Financial Management: ensure the integrity of financial systems, review of budget requirements and the consistent application of rules and regulations. 
• Supervise operations staff demonstrating performance appraisal and transparent leadership approaches that support a culture of growth and development, where good performance is incentivized and underperformers are held to account. 
• General Administration: Oversee official travel of all personnel based at the duty-station, logistics and premises; establishment of work plans, and monitoring of the achievement of results in collaboration with programme staff.
• Ensure high quality provision of procurement and other project support services; monitor quality and timeliness of services provided by Service Providers. 
• Routinely monitor financial exception reports for unusual activities, transactions, and alert HQ to any unusual transactions. 

C. Facilitate Human Resources Administration

• In coordination with the Regional Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP), ensure delivery of timely HR administration as the Human Resources Focal Point for all Regional  Office  personnel, including monitoring and reporting on attendance. 
• Provide accurate and timely advice to management and staff on administrative HR processes.
• Liaise with the HRBP on all HR issues needing to be addressed by DHR. 
• Keep abreast, research, benchmark, and implement global HR procedures of assigned Human Resources Services  as well as all related HR policies.
• Be the CO Focal point for GSS feedback and implementation of the GSS related learning afternoons. 
• Liaise with UNDP counterparts for correct Benefit and Entitlements, including payroll management, leave monitoring.
• Become an expert in the use of the ERP system to ensure the timely processing of all financial and HR transactions. 

D. Support and coordination of UNFPA’s common services 

• Provide policy support, guidance and advocacy at the country level on development, establishment and management of common services with other participating UN organizations/ agencies. 
• Ensure that common services and joint arrangements benefit UNFPA in its objective to provide efficient and economical support services to the implementation of the country programme. 

E. Safety and security of UNFPA staff and premises 

• Support staff safety by driving compliance with UN Minimum Operating Security Standards (MOSS) and Minimum Operational Residential Security Standards (MORSS).
• Together with the Representative, represent UNFPA in the Security Management Team and effectively implement security measures agreed in the SMT in compliance with security policy in UNFPA. 
• Represent UNFPA in Operations Management Team (OMT) meetings, ensuring that UNFPA interests are respected and value for money for goods and services are in line with best business practices. 

F. Partnership building on operational issues 

• Represent UNFPA in inter-agency administrative meetings, and ensure smooth cooperation between agencies on joint undertakings such as hardship questionnaires and salary surveys. 
• Identify new approaches and measures to further enhance UNFPA delivery capacities, professional management and cost effectiveness. 
• Promote a client-oriented approach among all operations staff. 

Carry out any other duties as may be required by the County Representative, Regional Office  management or Headquarters.  

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

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

 

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Seven (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.

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. 

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.

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.

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. Should you have received a solicitation for  the payment of a fee, please disregard it. You are advised to apply particular care when submitting  personal information on the web. Should you feel that you have received a fraudulent notice, letter  or offer, you may submit a report through the UNFPA fraud hotline: http://www.unfpa.org/help/hotline.cfm 

In accordance with the rules of the United Nations, persons applying to posts in the international  Professional category, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of  nationality, are required to renounce such status upon their appointment. Exceptions to this rule  are very limited and can be made only for: (a) stateless persons; (b) newly appointed staff members  who have applied for citizenship by naturalization, when such citizenship will be granted imminently;  (c) acting staff members in the General Service and related categories with permanent residency status, on promotion to the Professional category; (d) staff members appointed under a temporary appointment. Please understand that UNFPA is not in a position to provide advice on or assistance in applying for any citizenship. Placement in UNFPA’s Leadership Pool does not guarantee a position. For any questions please contact leadership.pool@unfpa.org.