Operations Associate (Local Partnership Operational Management) (GS-6), #116922, Moscow Liaison Office

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia is looking for an Operations Associate (Local Partnership Operational Management), GS6 for its Moscow Bureau on a fixed term appointment.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, commitment

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.

In the context of the start-up nature of the office establishment, the incumbent will be expected to perform a broad range of operational tasks in the area of administration.

Purpose for the job: Under the general supervision and guidance of the UNICEF Special Advisor on Cooperation with the Russian Federation, the incumbent will provide support in the area of Operations (HR, Supply, ICT, Admin and Finance) in support of office day to day Moscow Bureau activities.

How can you make a difference?

Key functions, accountabilities, and related duties/tasks

Under the direct supervision of Special Advisor, the Operations Associate will undertake the following tasks:

Partnerships, fundraising and networking

Support the Moscow team to maintain and build UNICEF’s partnerships with national governmental agencies, NGOs, private sector, academia, and media by contributing to implementation of the strategic workplan in line with UNICEF procedures.

Conduct research on prospective new partners for UNICEF, provide analysis of the areas of work and prepare subsequent recommendations and monitor effective follow up.

Maintain up-to-date information on partners, trends as well as on available knowledge and expertise to facilitate implementation of the strategic workplan, including in health, education, social mobilization and protection, and humanitarian action.

Facilitate knowledge and information exchange with the countries, particularly in the ECA region, including through distribution of educational and communication materials in Russian language, including on immunization, nutrition, prevention of violence and abuse, ECD. 

Support research on the Russian market of innovative technologies and fundraising opportunities, including digital fundraising in line with the priority needs and emerging trends.

Support to organization of advocacy and fundraising events with traditional and emerging partners in the Russian Federation. 

Support outreach activities, including development and maintenance of UNICEF global website in Russian and translation of UNICEF materials into Russian.

Administration and operations

Maintain office calendar and arrange meetings; take minutes of meetings, ensuring accuracy, attention to detail and coherence.

Supports management of administrative supplies, office equipment, and updating inventory of items; ensures that services and maintenance of premises are in accordance with organizational standards; arrange for the purchase and timely distribution of office supplies.

Facilitate the communications and workflow of the Bureau to enhance the efficiency and timeliness of operations and outputs; manage incoming and outgoing correspondence, e-mails and telephone calls; communicates information pertaining to the work of the team.

Establish and maintain the Bureau filing and reference systems, both traditional and digital; and ensures the inter/intra-net websites are up to date and accurate.

Supports effective working relations with other UN agencies, local authorities and implementing partners on issues relating to administrative matters through information exchange, collaboration and harmonization.

Undertake budget monitoring to ensuring compliance with UNICEF rules and regulations, keeping supervisor informed and advised on actions for decision and follow up.

Support efficient recruitment processes, including draft vacancy announcements; screening of applications with attention to qualifications, competencies, and requirements; liaison with candidates; schedule interviews and technical assessments; and records and maintain recruitment files.

Maintain up-to-date vendor lists, partners, and consultant rosters.

Support bureau planning and management, including generating accurate information and monitoring implementation of the strategic workplan against established milestones, and make recommendations to improve performance.

Aid with travel arrangements and entitlements based on the organization’s rules and policies; maintain travel plan and budgetary control records.

Liaise with ICT (Information and Communications Technology) team in Geneva and UNICEF’s Global Shared Service Centre in Budapest when required, to support the office in case of issues with ICT equipment; follow’s up with ICT in Geneva for any remote ICT support and trouble shouting.

Supply and logistics

Support exploring potential of Russian pharmaceutical industry, including vaccine producers and subsequent possible contracting of manufacturers through UNICEF on a competitive basis.

Support development and dissemination of information and education materials in Russian as part of sharing UNICEF expertise in increased effectiveness of supply and procurement processes.

Facilitate the processing of contracts for consultants and external partners, including preparing and filing documents, completing necessary forms and templates, and making necessary logistical arrangements.

ICT management and troubleshooting (with the support from the ICT team in Geneva). 

Impact of Results

This role predominantly accountable for applying a broad range of UNICEF rules and procedures in partnerships development and administration support to the team served. Efficiently initiating, monitoring, and ensuring the provision of administrative services allows the professional staff of the organization to focus on substantive core work. This may include supervisory responsibilities with accountability for the work of temporary staff and/or consultants.

The Operations Associate (Local Partnership Operational Management)represents the supervisor in initiating, following up on and resolving issues pertaining to advocacy, partnerships and administrative requests. External contacts include counterparts in international organizations, bi-lateral and multi-lateral institutions, and national government to organize meetings, workshops and conferences. Communications involve the exchange of information across the UNICEF at the most senior levels and externally to governing body representatives.

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

• Completion of secondary education is required, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to business administration, social sciences, or related studies.
• A minimum of 6 years of years of relevant work experience is required.
• Fluency in English and in Russian is required.
• Nationality of the Russian Federation or a valid residence and work permit in the country is required.
• Work experience for the United Nations, would be an asset.

NB: there will be no relocation package offered for this post. The successful candidate will be responsible for his/her own relocation and settlement in the city where the post is based.

Required technical skills:

• Training and experience using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and SharePoint; knowledge of integrated management information systems required.
• Communication, partnerships development and networking skills.
• Organizational, planning, and prioritizing skills and abilities.
• Ability to deal patiently and tactfully with partners.
• High sense of confidentiality, initiative, and good judgment.
• Ability to work effectively with people of different national and cultural background.
• Ability to work in a team environment to achieve common goals and to provide guidance to more junior support staff/personnel.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
• Works Collaboratively with others (1)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.

Remarks:

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.