Operations Manager

Copenhagen

Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
Location: Copenhagen
Grade: Mid level - P-3, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
- Operations and Administrations
- Banking and Finance
- Administration
- Managerial positions
Closing Date: Closed

Background Information - Management Support Centre (MSC)

The UNOPS Management Support Centre (MSC) acts as the technical front office and works in close collaboration with the regions and partners on operationalizing best practices, towards global and other tailored agreements around management services.

MSC gains insights into specific needs of partners, through technical experts, in the areas of Project management, Infrastructure, Administration, Procurement, Human Resources and Financial management services, and tailors solutions at the corporate level, ensuring appropriate skills, products and services can be sourced, internally and externally, to support such engagements.

MSC supports the maintenance of global engagements with partners, in close coordination with regions and practices, and provides advice on communication and branding of such services.

MSC has the following key responsibilities:

At Corporate level:

Lead the development of the strategic focus on Management Services and contributes to positioning UNOPS as the global partner in the provision of Management Services to partners.
Oversee and house the hosting strategy, develop hosting frameworks to manage business and risks, and ensure new potential hosted entity engagements are reviewed as per corporate standards.
Oversee and house the global agreements with global partners on management services and maintain a steady line of communication with the partners on service performance.

At the Regional level:

Support the regions with packaging of management solutions as a service line to be provided to partners, whether as local partners or under global partnership agreements.
Support the Regions with hosted entities Management Services, including assessing global operational risk and leading corporate knowledge management on the topic.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the overall direction and guidance of the MSC Director, the Operations Manager will coordinate the unit’s strategic planning process, budgeting, implementation, monitoring and report on the overall work plan.

S/he will coordinate the development of the unit’s balance score card and KPIs and ensures they are monitored and delivered. S/he oversees the effective and strategic functioning of MSC. S/he ensures the implementation of operational strategies, adapts processes and procedures focusing on achievement of the objectives and goals of MSC. The Operations Manager will manage the administrative operations of MSC and provide necessary support to the MSC Director and personnel with complete administrative services. S/he ensure timely response to clarifications and queries regarding MSC operational matters. The Operations Manager promotes a collaborative, client-focused, quality and results-oriented approach in the MSC team while fostering collaboration within the UNOPS. The Operations Manager will work closely with teams in UNOPS HQ, Regional Offices and Operational HUBs and Centers.

The core functions of the role will be:
1. Operational Planning:

In close collaboration with the MSC Director, coordinate planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring and reporting of the overall work plan for the Management Support Centre in accordance with UNOPS corporate planning and reporting cycle.
Contribute to the development, management and coordination of the global agreements with partners on management services.
Contribute to the development of costing and pricing models for Management Services offerings.
Support and monitor the performance of global Management Services agreements, including client relationship management, and monitoring reporting and KPI performance
Coordinate the development of the unit’s balance score card, KPI and ensures that these are embedded in MSC work plans and monitored and delivered on, and provide updates and reporting for the quarterly reviews.

2. MSC Partner Project Reporting:

Management of global MSC Partners Operational aspects, including reporting coordination and ensuring that partner operational requests are addressed in a timely manner, including periodic and ad hoc reporting
Review MSC partner agreements to ensure they are consistent with agreed terms and requirements.
Align reporting for all MSC partners, and ensure timely reporting by offices. Prepare and submit to MSC partners' periodic reports.

3. MSC Budget and Cost Recovery:

Management of MSC budget and financial resources through planning, monitoring and reporting
Coordinate the MSC annual budget planning process
Management of MSC cost recovery process from MSC partner projects and ensure MSC costs are fully recovered.
Provide oversight on cost recovery, ensuring MSC partner projects are charged and that funds are allocated according to agreements
Provide support to the establishment of MS management structure in OU in future, outside Project management structure
Conduct structured analyses of the costs associated with various operations, assessing the unit costs of achieving results.
Conduct ad hoc financial analyses (e.g. cost/benefit analyses) to inform management decision making.

4. Administrative Management:

Manage and coordinate official travel and logistical support for MSC Staff
Responsible for administrative, logistical support and organization of MSC conferences, workshops, retreats.
Manage and maintain records of MSC staff leave plans
Ensure the center has all the necessary office supplies in stock and placing orders when out of stock.
Maintain data and MSC partner agreements.

5. Knowledge Management and Innovation:

Ensure skills sharing with relevant staff in the regions and in the HQ
Contribute to the planning, implementation and organization of strategic capacity building of personnel in the area of operation support services.
Contribute to the development of internal capacity across the organization in terms of MSC service offerings.
Develop and ensure that global alignment of corporate standards in management support services across the organization, including templates, operational standards with partners, etc.
Constantly monitor and evaluate policies, procedures, methods, tools and associated systems to ensure its utility, applicability and efficacy in the area of Management Support Services.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

An advanced university degree, in Business Administration, International Relations, Social Sciences or a related area is required.
A Bachelor degree in one of the related subjects above in combination with two years of experience may be considered in lieu of an advance university degree.

Experience

A minimum of 5 Years of experience in the field of operations management and/or service provision.
Proven ability to operate successfully in a large international and/or corporate organization.
Experience in the UN system organizations and/or a developing country is desirable.

Languages

Full working knowledge of English.
Knowledge of another UN language.

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Fixed Term Appointment (FTA)
Contract level: P3 (ICS-10)
Contract duration: 1 year, Renewable upon satisfactory performance and budget availability.

For more details about United Nations staff contracts, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/UN-Staff-Contracts.aspx

Additional Considerations

Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale.

This vacancy is now closed.
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