Operations Officer, NOB, Fixed Term, Kabul, Afghanistan #132834

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to future

How can you make a difference? 

Purpose for the job: 

The Operations Officer, working under the direct supervision of the Finance and Budget Specialist in the PMU, will be accountable for operations functions, facilitate change, provide risk informed, solution-focused analysis, advice and services and contribute to programme and management decisions for delivering results for children in Afghanistan.  Most specifically the Operations Officer will support to ensure the PMU has UNICEF compliant operations processes, and the PMU programme teams are fully supported to deliver the Projects which are entirely focused on high value cash transfers to implementing partners and individual beneficiaries/recipients of cash assistance. In addition to the Project level support, the Operations Officer will support the PMU management with Work Planning, including planning and management of human resources requirements and other administrative matters. The Operations Officer will work in very close collaboration with the entire PMU, and ensure to build strong collaboration with the ACO Finance Unit, Supply and Logistics Section and Risk Sections. The Operations Officer will supervise one Programme Associate (G6).

Operations Officer will accomplish this by:

• Facilitating services in the functional areas of operations support for the Project Management Unit supported projects: budget, financial management and reporting, administration, supply management,  andhuman resources
• Supporting the line manager to implement career development opportunities. for staff;
• Understanding business needs for the Project Management Unit, to propose viable solutions aimed at value for money.
• Providing contribution through the Project Management Unit to CPD, CPMP, AMP and support to Results Based Management and implementation using Value for Money criteria.
• Supporting supply strategies and interventions to meet programmatic needs of the Project Management Unit supported Projects while ensuring Value for Money (VfM), including procurement of fit for purpose services.
• Providing regular feedback on risks and achievements of operations functions in the Project Management Unit;
• Supporting the country office during external and internal audit reviews, contributing with audit observations and monitoring implementation of recommendations.
• Facilitating business transactions processed by GSSC from a perspective of Efficiency, Performance, Risk Management and Fraud prevention
• Supporting the management of PSFR operations, where applicable.

The Operations Officer will be entrusted with the following five pillars, the core focus of all operations functions: Valuing People, Valuing Money, Valuing Risk Management, Valuing Systems and Structures, Valuing Partners.

Summary of Key function, accountabilities and related duties/tasks

1. Valuing People: Implement people resources strategies to promote technical competence and foster career progression and retention of a "fit for purpose"/ agile workforce.
2. Valuing Money: Champion strategic resources to achieve organizational goals and ensure Value for Money (VfM).
3. Valuing Risk Management: Enhance Risk Management to increase organizational performance and strengthen internal control.
4. Valuing Systems and Structures: Ensure further operational centralization and optimization for maximized efficiency gains.
5. Valuing Partners: Strengthening internal and external-facing partnerships and leveraging UNICEF's oversight and understanding of financial management across all areas of the office.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: JD/ TOR Operation Officer

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

Minimum requirements:

Education:

• A University Degree (Bachelor's) in Business Management, Financial Management, Accounting, Public Finance or another related field is required.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of 2 (Two) years of professional experience, at the national and/or international level, is required, specifically in one or more operations management area including budget; financial management and reporting; procurement/supply facilities management; administration; supply and logistics management; information and communication technology; human resources.
• Experience in a UN system agency, large private or public company, or experience working in a developing country and/or humanitarian/ emergency context is required.
• Experience in database packages, web-based management systems and ERP systems (preferably SAP financial modules) and IPSAS (International Public Sector Accounting Standards) is required.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially Excel required.
• Understanding Results Based Management and ability to formulate work plans, including operational support requirements is a requirement.
• Strong financial analytical skills and demonstrated experience with financial reporting is required.
• Demonstrated experience working on large value cash transfer management, to implementing partners and to individual beneficiaries/recipients of cash assistance is an asset.
• Demonstrated knowledge of risk management is required.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate operational requirements across financial management, supply and human resources is required.
• Experience with supply and contracting, including contract management is an asset.
• Experience in supporting successful client-oriented work units is an asset.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office applications is required.
• A professional license from internationally recognized institutions is an asset.

Language Requirements: 

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

Desirables:

• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

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

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Vacancy announcement is open to internal staff and other UNICEF personnel, including TAs, UNVs, and other personnel; however, priority will be given to staff in abolished posts and internal staff members.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants' bank account information.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF's Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.