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.
I. Background and Organizational Context
Cabo Verde became the first pilot Joint Office (JO) of the Ex-Com agencies (UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF) on 1 January 2006. This was a major step of UN reform towards the harmonization and simplification of UN activities in small countries. A Joint Office model consists of a single UN office of the participating agencies, led by one representative who equally represents all the participating agencies. The JO has one organizational structure and a single pcommon country programme encompassing the activities and mandates of all three participating agencies, and uses one set of business processes, rules and regulations under a “support agency” arrangement, namely UNDP ERP. The JO, now comprising by 3 agencies – UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF is presently one of the leading UN entities in implementation of the UN Cooperation Framework, fully aligned with the National Sustainable Development Plan (PEDS) and with Agenda 2030. A UNDP, UNFPA and UNICEF Common Country Programme Document (CCPD) covers the period of 2023-2027.
II. Position Purpose
Under the overall guidance of the Resident Representative (RR) and direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative (DRR), the Operations Manager 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 Joint Office to ensure consistent services delivery and smooth functioning of the CO programmes and projects.
The Operations Manager 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.
III. Key Duties and Accountabilities
1.) As a member of the CO management team, ensures the strategic direction of operations.
Example of Duties: • 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, Logistic, Protocol, Travel 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, UNFPA, UNICEF knowledge networks and communities of practice.
2.) Ensure effective, risk-informed, and accurate financial resources management and supervision of the Finance team.
Example of Duties: • 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 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, UNFPA, UNICEF 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
3.) Ensure strategic human resources management and supervision of the HR team.
Example of Duties: • Ensure CO compliance with corporate human resources policies and strategies.
• Advise on optimal staffing of the office and projects (talent management).
• Provide oversight for 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.
4.) Ensure provision of efficient procurement, logistical and administrative services, and supervision of the Procurement team.
Example of Duties: • Ensure CO compliance with corporate rules and regulations related to procurement and logistics.
• Develop CO procurement strategies including sourcing, supplier selection and evaluation, quality control, customer relationship management, and supplier performance evaluation system.
• Develop CO procurement plan and ensure proper contract management, anticipating potential litigations.
• Oversee procurement processes and logistical services in compliance with procurement principles and guidelines.
• Ensure proper management of Joint Office assets, facilities and logistical services, and administrative services, including full compliance with IPSAS during purchasing, utilization and disposal of the CO’s assets.
5.) Ensure forward-looking information and communication management and supervision of ICT team.
Example of Duties: • 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.
6.) Ensure proper common services management and establishment of strong collaboration with other UN Agencies.
Example of Duties • Elaborate strategic approach for 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.
• Lead or contribute to Operations Management Team (OMT) activities including the area of risk management.
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: Supervise and manage Join Office operations staff
IV. Requirements:
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 combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience, Knowledge, and Skills
• Minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 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.
• Experience and good knowledge of accrual accounting, IPSAS or IFRS is highly desirable.
Language Requirements:
• Fluency in Portuguese is required.
• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.
Expected Demonstration of Competencies
Core
Achieve Results - LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
Think Innovatively - LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
Learn Continuously - LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility - LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Act with Determination - LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner - LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion - LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
People Management
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
Thematic Area Name Definition
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
Business Direction & Strategy -Strategic Thinking : Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions. Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP
Business Management - Resource Management: Ability to allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical way in line with principles of accountability and integrity
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. Business Management
Risk Management: Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks
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.
Scam alert
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