TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT (364 DAYS) - P5 Chief of Operations (UNICEF PORT MORESBY – PNG)

Come and join our team support the UNICEF Papua New Guinea’s Operations section to provide the best Operations support to all the programmes operating in PNG UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children's rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world. UNICEF Papua New Guinea has more than 30 people working to promote and protect the rights of children. We aim to provide the best quality of life for every Papuan child through programmes that help them survive and flourish. Our vision is of a country where all children in Papua New Guinea enjoy their rights and have a bright future within caring and protective families and communities. Please read more on UNICEF Papua New Guinea programs: https://www.unicef.org/png/

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

As the head of operations of an expanding medium-sized office, the incumbent is accountable for management of cost effective, efficient and secure operations, in support of management, administration and implementation of the country programmes, consistent with operations of all other country offices in the Region in accordance with strategy, plans and decisions made by Regional Management Team and Country Programme Management Teams.

Under the general guidance of the Country Office Representative, the incumbent of the post will be accountable for providing the most effective and efficient oversight for all operation functions and specifically for all Programmes Units and Projects in PNG.  

Additionally, the incumbent will be responsible for leading systemic strengthening of the capacity of Operations staff in all functional areas under her/his supervision, as well as mainstreaming the consistent application of work processes and performance standards around KPIs to be established.

At some point during the TA period, upon the appointment and onboarding of the Operations Manager P4 FT,  the role will transition to one of capacity development and systems strengthening, as well as audit response.

KEY END-RESULTS

1.  Operations of financial, budget, information & communication technology, supply & logistics, human resource and administrative management strengthened and maintained for Country Office.

2. Appropriate and consistent interpretation and application of operations policy and procedures implemented to support operations at the country and sub-country levels.

3.  Fiduciary responsibility for funds and assets effectively secured and timely executed for optimum utilization by taking appropriate decision on all operational and financial transactions, disbursement of funds, and administrative arrangements.

4.  Effective leadership provided in strategic planning and policy recommendations in the area of operations, taking initiative in improving and implementing operations management systems.

5.  Basic office services effectively provided to enhance staff safety and productivity

6.  Compliance with all operational systems and procedures effectively monitored to ensure integrity in all financial and other administrative operations of the office.

7.  Staff learning/development for effective operations performance programme developed, implemented and enhanced for capacity building.

8. Effective coordination, communication, collaboration established and maintained with internal and external partners for efficient operations, advisory function, vision and leadership, policy coordination, consultative and participatory management process, external representation as well as security and emergency operations. 

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES and DUTIES & TASKS 

1.  Effective operations of financial, human resource and administrative management

Manages and ensures the effective, equitable and efficient operations of the office's finance, human resource and administrative systems to support and facilitate the attainment of programmatic goals and objectives by meeting changing operational requirements. Ensures effective operations that promote gender sensitivity and gender parity.  Advises management and assists in establishing new offices.    

2. Policy interpretation and application

As technical professional and manager, accountable for the correct and consistent application of organizational policies and procedures in the management of finance and administrative functions through the provision of technical leadership and operational support to the country office.

Provides technical input to contribute to the establishment of operational guidelines in close coordination with the head of office, the Regional Operations Officer and DFAM.

Implements the effective communication, training, roll-out, monitoring and evaluation of new operational initiatives, guidelines and procedures.

3. Fiduciary integrity/responsibility for funds and assets

Safeguards the financial resources entrusted to the office by advising on and/or managing financial assets, financial planning and cash management activities and by recommending improvements to the financial and administrative management systems and procedures.  Accountable for fiduciary integrity/responsibility for funds and assets taking decision on all operational and financial transactions, disbursement of funds, and administrative arrangements. Ensures efficient, cost-effective and transparent utilization of resources through knowledge and technology transfer between offices and consistency of approaches.

4.  Leadership in strategic planning and policy formulation in the areas of operations

Plays a major role in strategic planning and decision-making within the UNICEF Operations and provides sound professional input and oversight to the development, reform and change of financial, human resource and administrative policies, systems and procedures, including those that strengthen gender policy in programming and staff gender parity.  Participates in effective management process by providing technical advices and supports to corporate committees (including PBR, RMTs, CMT, JCC, CRC, PSB, etc.).

5.  Office Services

Ensures the provision of basic offices services including space management, equipment, communications and security to enhance staff safety and productivity.

Under the auspices of the Inter-Agency Operations Management Team, supports approaches for enhancing UN common services to attain efficiencies and effectiveness.

6.  Compliance and Internal Control

Monitors and manages budget process.  Ensures all other operational reporting requirements are fully met for the office.  Monitors compliance with all operational systems and procedures and ensures integrity in all financial and other administrative operations of the office.

Serve as the focal person for office management indicators; ensure all other operational reporting requirements are fully met for the office. Prepare for any audit exercise scheduled for 2018/2019 for PNG office.

7. Staff Learning and Development

Develops training activities to ensure effective operational performance and efficiency.  Develops and implements effective staff learning and development programme activities for both programme and operations staff on operational matters for capacity building. Plans and conducts operations workshops for staff’s competency building, staff development, learning and career development. Provides coaching and counselling to the staff on performance enhancement/development.

8.  Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration

Cooperates and coordinates with other UN agency counterparts in the UN reform initiatives (including HACT capacity building of IPs, common services and premises agenda, etc.). Coordinates collaboration with all other UN agencies to accelerate implementation of the Harmonized Business practices initiatives in line within Reform/coherence

Advises Head of Office on finance, human resource and administrative matters providing guidance on all operational submissions for the approval of the Regional Director; briefs office staff on financial, human resource and administrative policies and procedures providing authoritative advice; provides technical guidance and oversight to junior Operations staff in country offices and swiftly resolves operational issues.

Coordinates promptly with the Regional Office, Head of Office, Programme Officers and all staff in the country office for security-related issues and emergency operations. Provides operational support to emergency preparedness and emergencies. Informs and updates all staff members in the country office on security related issues and emergency operations. 

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

Advanced university degree in accounting, business administration, economics, or financial management.  Membership - or enrolled for membership – in a recognized professional accountancy body.

Ten years of relevant professional work experience in office management, finance, accounting, ICT, and/or human resources;

Both national and International work experience in management, finance, accounting, ICT, human resources, administration, supply and procurement related fields;

Work experience in emergency duty station.

Fluency in English and another UN language.

For every Child, you should demonstrate…

Our core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. Functional Competencies: Leading and Supervising, Formulating Strategies and Concepts, Analyzing, Relating and Networking, Deciding and Initiating Action (, Applying Technical Expertise.   To view our competency framework, please click here. UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization.