Join UNICEF’s Division of People and Culture as an Operations Associate and help ensure the smooth and efficient delivery of operational and administrative services. You will support budget monitoring, procurement, travel and financial processes, while also coordinating administrative and logistical support for learning and talent management initiatives across UNICEF offices.

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 Champion

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?

The position of Operations Associate at the G-6 level is located in Division of People and Culture, Istanbul and reports to the Operation Officer, P-2. The Operations Associate is accountable for both specialized and procedural communications, operational and administrative support services.

Under the supervision and guidance of the Operations Management, and close coordination with the Chief-ITM, the Operations Associate is responsible for executing a broad variety of procedural and specialized administrative tasks for the respective sections within the Division of People and Culture Istanbul and Budapest offices, requiring in-depth knowledge of UNICEF administrative procedures, processes and policies.

Purpose of Position and Key Functions:

Budget Monitoring 

  • Monitors budgets and financial expenditures of the Division, ensuring compliance with UNICEF rules and regulations, keeping supervisor informed and advised on actions for decision/follow-up.
  • Provides support on budget revision/preparation, implementation status, determination of the position of funding utilization, operational, and financial closure.
  • Prepares and maintains records, documents, and control plans for the budget monitoring of project/ programme implementation.
  • Supports monitoring funds, allocations and utilization.

Procurement 

  • Facilitates the processing of contracts and Long-Term Agreements for consultants and external partners that provide a service to the division. This includes communicating with consultants in gathering documentation and certifications, preparing and filing documents, creating contracts in VISION, completing necessary forms and templates, uploading TOR’s in VISION, and making necessary logistical arrangements. Act as a liaison between the Sections and Operations team and GSSC / IT when required.
  • Provide support pertaining to the Supply procedures and activities, including RFP, RFP and LTA processes.
  • Guides sections on policy and procedures, SOPs, and best ways to manage the contracts
  • Provide monthly reports on institutional and consultants contracts status and utilization.
  • Support procurement processes related to learning and development services, including consultant selection, LTAs, vendor engagement, and contract administration.

Travel 

  • Provides travel assistance to staff and consultants for travel arrangements and entitlements based on the organization’s rules and policies. Liaises with relevant travel focal points to ensure that the organization obtains the best service and price for all travel.
  • Monitors travel certification and reports back to the team.

Invoice Processing

  • Responsible for collecting invoices and filing documents for approval, thereafter, processing through Service Gateway
  • Uploads electronic files and verifies results to the destination system.
  • Responds to client transaction status and other inquiries.

Supplies/Equipment

  • Supports management of administrative supplies, office equipment, and updating the inventory of items. Acts as Asset counter and help with yearly asset count and register.
  • Monitors and supervises adequate and appropriate use of supplies. Ensures that services and maintenance of premises are in accordance with organizational standards.
  • Arranges for the purchase and timely distribution of office supplies.

Support Integrated Talent Management Section 

  • Coordinate end-to-end logistics and administration for workshops, webinars, coaching programmes, learning events, and talent management interventions.
  • Assist the team to review participants’ eligibility for learning programmes.
  • Performance tracking for career coaches, facilitators, and learning vendors.
  • Coordinate consultant onboarding, contractual documentation, payment processes, and
  • Support the administration of evaluations of learning services and programmes delivered.

Other tasks

  • Provide support to the Operations team on Audit-related tasks.
  • Provide support with analysis of participants
  • All other administrative support to the team that may be required.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

Minimum requirements:

  • Education: Completion of secondary education is required, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to the field of work.
  • Work Experience: A minimum of 6 years of relevant programme support, operations, administrative or clerical work experience is required.
  • Skills: 
    • Experience MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SAP, SharePoint; knowledge of integrated management information systems required.
    • Demonstrated skills in project management, collaboration, problem solving, and digital dexterity.
  • Language Requirements: Knowledge of English and Turkish at a proficient level is required.

Desirables:

  • Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
  • Organizational, planning and prioritizing skills and abilities. 
  • Ability to deal patiently and tactfully with visitors, requests, and multiple activities.
  • High sense of confidentiality, initiative and good judgment.
  • Ability to work effectively with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
  • Ability to work in a team environment to achieve common goals and to provide guidance to
    more junior support staff.
  • In-depth knowledge of UNICEF organizational structure, administrative policies and procedures.
  • Experience with the Purchasing, Financial & Materials Management Modules in SAP/VISION is desirable.
  • 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 are conditional on the selected candidates willingness to comply with current or future vaccination requirements, should UNICEF mandate it for personnel. Failure to comply with such requirements, where applicable and without a duly approved medical exemption from the relevant UN authority, will result in the cancellation of the selection or may lead to other administrative measures, including separation from service.

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.

At the time of application, candidates must possess Turkish citizenship or in possession of a valid work permit. Temporary and/or sponsored visas are not accepted. Applicants must be holders of acceptable permits already at the time of application. Please note that General Service (GS) staff are locally recruited staff and candidates are personally responsible for any travel and accommodation arrangements.

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.

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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.