International Operations Manager P-4, UNFPA, Ukraine

The International Operations Manager (IOM) plays a leading role in supporting the delivery of the UNFPA country programme, which aims to realize the 2030 Agenda in order to make a positive difference in the lives of millions of people. Under the guidance of the Representative, the IOM leads strategic planning for UNFPA operations, setting of management targets, and outsourced services. The IOM leads a broad portfolio ranging from financial and human resources management; procurement; IT; travel and logistics; common services; to security of UNFPA premises and staff. The IOM advises the Representative on course correction; compliance, cost effectiveness; and creative responses to emerging complex challenges. The IOM reports to the Representative and works in close collaboration with the Senior Emergency Coordinator/Deputy Representative and Assistant Representative.

Job Purpose:

You play a leading role in achieving key results which have an impact on the overall economy, efficiency and effectiveness of Country Office operations, and the functioning of UNFPA in line with the use of corporate resources in the following areas:

• Financial Services

• Human Resources

• Procurement and Logistical Services

• ICT

• UNFPA Personnel safety and security

• Implementation of the UN agenda on common services and joint procurement

You are accountable for supporting the effective development and delivery of an innovative Humanitarian intervention (2022-2023), a Transitional Framework (2022-2023) and Country Programme (2024-2028) focused on universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights, including maternal health, family planning, response to gender-based violence, and adolescent and youth empowerment.

Through delivery of effective programming, including in emergency settings, you serve on the frontline, supporting the organization’s ability to deliver high quality results. Your ultimate accountability is to the people that you serve; the most vulnerable, excluded, or marginalized and for the causes that you serve; human rights, sustainable development and humanitarian relief.

You would be responsible for:

A. Strategic direction of UNFPA operations

• Contribute to the delivery of the country programme, and ensure overall operations are carried out effectively, in a transparent manner and in compliance with established policies, procedures and rules

• Ensure annual and longer-term management targets, at the UNFPA corporate and Country Office level are met

• Determine optimal approaches for improving effectiveness and efficiency of business management, fostering innovation and furthering operational excellence

• Drive knowledge management practices within the Country Office

• Build capacity of staff through coaching and mentoring on operations management relevant for programme implementation and sound project management.

• Act as a member of the Country office senior management team working towards the delivery of efficient, effective, scaled and principled humanitarian and development programming in Ukraine.

B. Day-to-day management of UNFPA’s operations

• Financial Management: ensure the integrity of financial systems, review of budget requirements and the consistent application of rules and regulations

• Take leading role and ensure active participation of the the operations team in the “Grant opening” & “Grant ending” meetings to ensure efficient spending grants, particularly strategic and time-sensitive ones, and compliance with donors policies and guidelines.

• Human Resources Management: Support in the recruitment and management of staff, providing them with direction and motivation; fostering empowerment; learning and career management and promoting cross-unit team work

• Ensure the HR and procurement/supply chain components of the humanitarian response plan are regularly updated with a view of ensuring timely ordering and delivery of supplies, and a smooth transition between the Surge staff and their local counterparts when Surge staff leave.

• Supervise operations staff demonstrating performance appraisal and transparent leadership approaches that support a culture of growth and development, where good performance is incentivized and underperformers are held to account

• General Administration: Oversee CO travel, logistics and premises; establishment of work plans, and monitoring of the achievement of results in collaboration with programme staff

• Ensure high quality provision of procurement and other project support services; monitor quality and timeliness of services provided by Service Providers

• Routinely monitor financial exception reports for unusual activities, transactions, and alert HQ to any unusual transactions

C. Support and coordination of UNFPA’s common services

• Provide policy support, guidance and advocacy at the country level on development, establishment and management of common services with other participating UN organizations/ agencies

• Ensure that common services and joint arrangements benefit UNFPA in its objective to provide efficient and economical support services to the implementation of the country programme.

D. Safety and security of UNFPA staff and premises

• Support staff safety by driving compliance with UN Minimum Operating Security Standards (MOSS) and Minimum Operational Residential Security Standards (MORSS)

• Together with the Representative, and as needed, represent UNFPA in the Security Management Team and effectively implement security measures agreed in the SMT in compliance with security policy in UNFPA

• Represent UNFPA in Operations Management Team (OMT) meetings, ensuring that UNFPA interests are respected and value for money for goods and services are in line with best business practices.

E. Partnership building on operational issues

• Represent UNFPA in inter-agency administrative meetings, and ensure smooth cooperation between agencies on joint undertakings such as hardship questionnaires and salary surveys

• Identify new approaches and measures to further enhance UNFPA delivery capacities, professional management and cost effectiveness

• Promote a client-oriented approach among all operations staff

Carry out any other duties as may be required by the County Representative, Regional Office management or Headquarters.

Qualifications and Experience

Education:

Postgraduate university degree in any of the following disciplines: Public Administration or Business Administration, Economics, Management or other related field.

Knowledge and Experience:

• 7 years of experience in development in a governmental, multilateral or civil society organization in a multi-cultural setting, including 3 or more years’ experience in managing teams in a complex organizational setting

• Ability to build strong relationships with clients, focus on impact and result, and respond positively to feedback

• Solid knowledge in procurement, financial and human resources management, contract, asset, and information and communication technology

• Ability to lead business process re-engineering, to implement new systems, and to positively affect staff behavioural/ attitudinal changes

• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting, formulation and monitoring of projects/programmes

• Experience in international development and dedication to the principles of the United Nations

• Field experience in a humanitarian context is essential;

• Demonstrated ability to sustain and advance current partnerships

• Demonstrated ability to provide strategic vision and focus by successfully communicating and implementing priorities based on clear deliverables. • Demonstrated ability to take responsibility for team decisions, providing the rationale as appropriate.

• Demonstrated ability to provide team managers with the needed direction to achieve results and hold them accountable.

Languages:

Fluency in English. Russian highly desirable