Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

  • Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
  • Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
  • Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
  • Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Note: This position is open to Cambodian nationals only. 

Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN's global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP Cambodia Country Office (CO) works in partnership with the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC), non-government organizations, civil society organizations, community-based organizations, multilateral aid agencies, bilateral donors, and the private sector to accelerate the achievement of Cambodia Sustainable Development Goals (CSDGs) and other national development priorities as set out in the Pentagonal Strategy for realizing the national vision 2050. 

In Cambodia, the UNDP Country Programme Document 2024-2028 (CPD) identified three transformational shifts as priority for support during the next 5 years. The first shift is toward an economic growth model that accelerates inclusive growth, economic diversification, and human development. The second shift involves championing just energy transition, climate action and nature-based solutions as the foundation for national wealth, well-being, and resilience to shocks. The third shift is towards strengthening institutions, civic space, and participation as enablers for inclusive growth, access to rights and equal opportunities for all, whilst ensuring that the society at large is using the full potential of digital transformation. The CPD is aligned to national priorities and policies, particularly Cambodia’s vision 2050 and the Pentagonal Strategy-Phase 1 2024-2028.

Position Purpose:

Under the overall guidance from the Resident Representative (RR) and direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative (DRR), the Operations Analyst acts as an advisor to Senior Management on all aspects of Country Office (CO) management and operations. This includes strategic management of financial and human resources, efficient procurement and logistical services, ICT, and common services consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. The Operations Manager’s main role is to lead, constantly evaluate, and adjust the operations of the Country Office to ensure consistent delivery service and smooth functioning of the CO programmes and projects. 

The Operations Analyst leads and guides the (CO) Operations Team and fosters collaboration within the team, and with programme staff and other UN Agencies using a client-oriented approach. The Operations Manager works in close collaboration with programme and project teams in the CO, Operations staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP HQ staff and Government officials to successfully deliver the country programme.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities

1.) As a member of the CO management team, ensures the strategic direction of operations and facilitates knowledge sharing 

  • Ensure full compliance of operations with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies, and Internal Control Framework (ICF); 
  • Implement corporate operational strategies. Establish management targets (BSC); and regularly monitor office performance indicators for achievement of results. Take timely corrective actions when required; 
  • Establish collaborative arrangements with potential partners and a client management system for appropriate management of partnerships and resource mobilization purposes; 
  • Ensure mapping of CO business processes, and establishment of internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Finance, Human Resources Management, Procurement, ICT, Admin, and Transportation Management Services; 
  • Support senior management in identifying and overseeing risks to ensure dynamic and effective risk management in the CO and to make more risk-informed and timely decisions. Monitor and analyze the operating environment; undertake risk analysis related to operations for discussion with the DRR and RR, as appropriate; and make timely readjustment of operations services, considering advice on legal considerations; 
  • Ensure systematic adherence to UNDP policies, procedures, and corporate guidance on enterprise risk management in the CO and at the project level. Participate in the appraisal of projects to provide operational input that includes formulating risk management plans and anticipating cost of risks during the project design phase;
  • Ensure relevant colleagues and stakeholders from both programme and operations are consulted in the identification, costing, and management of risks for the programme, all projects, and portfolios in the office/unit when applicable; 
  • Ensure knowledge building and sharing about management and operations in the CO, coordination of staff learning needs, and consolidation of lessons learnt/best practices;
  • Provide sound contributions to UNDP knowledge networks and communities of practice.

2.) Oversee procurement operations, oversight, and supervision of the procurement team

  • Ensure the design and implementation of innovative, sustainable, and value-driven procurement strategies aligned with principles of fairness, integrity, and transparency, ensuring best value for money;
  • Ensure full compliance with procurement activities with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, and policies through effective internal controls and a client-oriented procurement management system;
  • Develop and implement procurement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), map business processes, and manage workflows within the Procurement Unit;
  • Provide strategic guidance on procurement planning and implementation to projects, CO teams, donors, and other stakeholders, ensuring alignment with programme and organizational priorities;
  • Manage and oversee end-to-end procurement processes for the Country Office, projects, and other UN agencies, including planning, solicitation (RFQ, ITB, RFP), evaluation, negotiation, and contract award;
  • Ensure timely preparation and monitoring of procurement plans and effective delivery of procurement activities;
  • Review and certify submissions to procurement review committees (e.g., CAP, RACP, ACP) and ensure compliance with established procedures;
  • Oversee contract management, administration, and performance monitoring, ensuring timely issuance and accuracy of purchase orders;
  • Strengthen internal control systems to ensure procurement transactions are accurate, timely, and compliant;
  • Promote and implement harmonized procurement services and identify opportunities for joint procurement within the UN system;
  • Introduce and implement strategic sourcing approaches and e-procurement tools to optimize market engagement and achieve cost efficiencies;
  • Develop and manage supplier rosters, including establishing supplier selection, evaluation, and performance management frameworks;
  • Establish and manage Long-Term Agreements (LTAs) and Framework Agreements to support efficient category management;
  • Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of e-procurement systems within the Country Office.

3.) Ensure effective, risk-informed, and accurate financial resources management and supervision of the Finance team

  • Ensure proper planning of CO financial resources, tracking and recording of expenditures in compliance with IPSAS, and audit of financial resources, including extra-budgetary income in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations;
  • Oversee the contributions management business process and accounting for contributions to ensure that the money due to UNDP is properly identified, consistently and uniformly classified, recorded on a timely basis, and received with sufficient supporting documentation; 
  • Perform appropriate delegations in ERP for voucher and Treasury transactions approvals and bank reconciliation. Approve bank reconciliations and pending disbursements as the “third authority” (cheques, bank transfers, EFT); 
  • Organize cost-recovery mechanisms for CO services provided to projects and UN Agencies that includes ensuring timely preparation of proforma invoices for UN agencies;
  • Organize and provide oversight of CO cash management processes, including liquidity management, recommendation of imprest level, risk assessment, bank relationship management; timely accounting and reconciliation of all transactions, and security for cash assets on site;
  • Monitor financial exception reports for unusual activities and/or transactions; and investigate anomalies or unusual transactions. Ensure appropriate CO and UNDP HQ staff are informed of the results of the investigation when satisfactory answers are not obtained;
  • Serve as member of bank signatory panel;
  • Ensure transaction and stop payment approval on internet banking system;
  • Ensure all financial transactions are identified, recorded, and verified in compliance with IPSAS as outlined in the corporate policies and procedures.

4.) Ensure strategic human resources management and supervision of the HR team

  • Ensure CO compliance with corporate human resources policies and strategies;
  • Advise on optimal staffing of the office and projects;
  • Provide oversight into recruitment processes and appropriate use of different contractual modalities in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations;
  • Establish and maintain proper performance management and staff development systems, ensuring staff access to role-appropriate learning activities.

5.) Ensure supervision of administration and ICT team

  • Ensure ERP functionality is used for improved business results and improved client services;
  • Identify opportunities and ways of converting business processes into web-based systems to address the issues of efficiency and full accountability;
  • Maintain a secure, reliable infrastructure environment for ICT and adequate planning for disasters and recoveries. Update the ICT Disaster Recovery Plan regularly; 
  • Identify and promote different systems and applications for optimal content management, knowledge sharing, information provision and learning including e-registry and web-based office management system, etc.;
  • Management and supervision of the administration team.

6.) Ensure proper common services management and establishment of strong collaboration with other UN Agencies

  • Contribute to the implementation of common services in line with the latest developments in common services and best practices;
  • Ensure proper planning and tracking of common services budget and of Agencies' contributions to the common services account;
  • Contribute to Operations Management Team (OMT) activities including the area of risk management.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: Supervise and manage UNDP Country Office operations staff/personnel 

Competencies

Core competencies

  • Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
  • Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
  • Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
  • Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
  • Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
  • Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
  • Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Business Direction & Strategy: 

  • System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

Procurement: 

  • Contract Management: Knowledge of contract management concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations.

Finance: Audit (General) : Understands how regulations and professional standards in internal and external audit underpin audit work in the public services. 

  • Understands the key stages of audit work, including planning, documentation, testing and reporting. 
  • Ability to examine and verify accounts and records. 
  • Understands wider mechanisms for assurance and scrutiny. 
  • Understands the law and best practice relating to anti- bribery and corruption controls and the fraud risks faced by public bodies.

Business Management: Customer Satisfaction/Client Management: Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. 

  • Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. 
  • Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests. 
  • Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.

Business Management: Communication: Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. 

  • Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

Business Management: Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimising return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management.

Business Management: Risk Management : Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risks.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Economics, or related field is required, or
  • A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree. 
  • CIPS level 3 is highly desirable for this position and candidates holding this level at the time of application will have a distinct advantage. If the desired certification is not available at the time of recruitment, it should be obtained within one year of recruitment. Candidates holding a CIPS certification at any level below at the time of application will have a proportionate advantage. 

Experience:

  • Minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services and/or managing operational systems and establishing relationships with international organizations and national governments;
  • Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), and web-based management systems such as ERP is required;
  • Experience and good knowledge of accrual accounting, IPSAS or IFRS is highly desirable; 
  • Experience at the national or international level in public sector procurement management and supply chain management or related field is desired;
  • Experience in HR management is desired;
  • Experience in financial resources management is desired;
  • Experience in information and communication technology is desired; 
  • Experience with UN/UNDP and/or international organizations and/or development organizations is an asset.

Language requirements: 

  • Fluency in English and Khmer is required.  
  • Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

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