Deputy Representative Operations

The fundamental and primary 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 child survival, 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 fragile and humanitarian contexts, UNICEF action is guided by its global Policy and Framework for humanitarian action:  Where humanitarian clusters are activated, UNICEF is accountable to fulfill its responsibilities as Cluster Lead Agency (CLA) for Nutrition, WASH, Education (co-lead with Save the Children), and Child Protection Area of Responsibility (CP AoR) within the Protection Cluster.

The Operations function supports the Head of the Office on managing the office and monitoring operations and programmes as needed, while providing advice on best and innovative management practices to enhance office performance. The function is a strategic Business Partner role within the Senior Management team, assuring the best use of UNICEF assets in alignment with sound management practices, office priorities and goals to deliver results for children.

As a Strategic Business Partner and Deputy for the Head of Office, the incumbent will be responsible to lead for results, drive change, provide risk informed, solution-focused analysis, advice and services and contribute to programme and management decisions for delivering results for children in all operational contexts. 

Strategic Operations will accomplish this by:

• Leading by example and supporting the Head of Office on managing the office;
• Acting as Officer in Charge in the absence of the Head of Office;
• Supporting the Head of Office in external relationship with the Government and other counterparts in China as well as contributing to the strategic positioning of China CO within the UN community in China and within UNICEF globally.
• Managing services in the functional areas of operations support: budget, financial management and reporting, facilities management, administration, supply and logistics management, information and communications technology, human resources, and safety and security and convening the other functions to arrive at a unified vision;
• Ensuring processes are in place to identify, promote and empower the potential in staff through career development, opportunities for stretch assignments and succession planning;
• Acting as member of the Country and Senior Management Teams, representing the organizational risk, governance systems and policies perspective in management discussions, and promoting results based management.
• Understanding business needs for the Country Programme, to anticipate challenges, propose viable solutions, provide creative and innovative ideas aimed at a solution- focused approach to include value for money strategies, all underpinned by quality assurance measures;
• Providing key contribution to CPD, CPMP, AMP and support to Results Based Management and implementation using Value for Money criteria;
• Supporting UNICEF Supply Division (SD) engagement in the China market and contributing to the engagement of the SD and the Government of China In the localization and local production agenda;
• Leveraging technology for results and programme accountabilities, making effective adoption of tools and promoting the fundamentals of ICT management, information security and controls;
• Supporting the country office during external and internal audit reviews and responding to audit observations and monitoring implementation of recommendations;
• Guiding Supply and Logistics strategies and interventions to meet programmatic needs while ensuring Value for Money (VfM), including procurement of fit for purpose products and services, and providing advisory support to governments, national systems and partners on supply chain management;
• Leveraging governance, systems, and tools to provide regular feedback on risks and achievements of operations functions in the country;
• Leading on facility management with a specific focus on inclusive accessibility, eco sustainability and common premises;
• Overseeing business transactions processed by GSSC from a perspective of Efficiency, Performance, Risk Management and Fraud prevention;
• Supporting the management of PSFR operations and promoting efficiency across systems and processes, where applicable;
• In fragile context and humanitarian contexts, ensure that UNICEF offices are fit for purpose to enable the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance by UNICEF and its partners – in compliance with the commitments and standards enshrined in the Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action – and of its role as CLA (where clusters are activated). This includes ensuring the mandatory use and application of the Emergency Procedures, as applicable.
• The Deputy Representative, Operations 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.

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

Minimum requirements:

The following minimum requirements:

Education:

• An Advanced University Degree (Master’s and above) in one of the following areas is required: Business management; Financial management; Accounting; Public Finance; and related operations function (Supply Chain, Human Resources, Information Technology, International Business, Project management, etc.) or a full professional accounting designation (CA, ACA, ACCA, CPA, CIMA, CPFA, Expert Comptable) from an internationally recognized institute/body of accountancy with valid membership in good standing is required.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of professional experience, at the national and international level, is required, specifically in advocating and implementing strategic organizational initiatives in one or more operations management area including budget; financial management and reporting; facilities management; administration; supply and logistics management; information and communication technology; human resources.

Skills:

• Emotional Intelligence, Negotiation skills, Risk-taking ability, Soft skills required in sensitive political settings, Works well under pressure in high threat environments, Previous hands-on experience in strategic and managerial leadership is required. Familiarity with Microsoft Office applications is required.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required.

Source:  https://jobs.unicef.org/cw/en-us/job/577441