Senior Operations Associate

The Senior Operations Associate will work under the supervision of the Chief of Field Office, NOC, to support in the management of operational functions including administration and logistics in Surkhet Field Office for Karnali Province and will be accountable for management of cost-effective, efficient and secure operations, which contributes to overall management and implementation of the country programmes to support government in a decentralized context.

As the lead of the Operations team of the Field office, the incumbent 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 specific operational contexts. The position supervises a small operations team.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks

Summary of Key Functions of the Senior Operations Associate will be as follows:

• Ensure the effective, equitable and efficient operations of the Field office’s finance, budget, information & communication technology, supply & logistics, human resource and administrative systems to support and facilitate the attainment of programmatic goals and objectives by meeting changing operational requirements.
• Be Accountable for providing the correct and consistent interpretation and application of organizational policies and procedures in the management of finance and administrative functions through the provision of technical expertise and operational support to the Field office.
• Alert and recommend to the Chief of Field Office, when deviation from the rules and regulations may be required and propose alternative solutions to meet office objectives.
• Be Accountable for fiduciary integrity/responsibility for funds and assets taking decision on all operational and financial transactions, disbursement of funds, and administrative arrangements. Provide required oversight and support to programme group team to ensure all implementing partners accountability with regard to supply and non-supply assistance.
• Ensure efficient, cost-effective and transparent utilization of resources through knowledge and technology transfer between offices and consistency of approaches and applications.
• Ensures that all administrative transactions and arrangements of contracts are in compliance with the applicable policies, procedures, rules and regulations.
• Contribute to the reviews of contractual arrangements related to administrative support (i.e. courier, premises maintenance, ancillary administrative support, vehicle maintenance, equipment maintenance etc.) to ensure that the terms and conditions of all contracts are being adhered to by providers of goods and services. Proposes to the Chief of Field Office any changes that may be required. Monitors payments against contractual obligations.
• Contribute to recommendations on the improvement of internal controls systems taking into account the prevailing conditions in the locality.
• Assist Chief of Field Office in finance, human resources and administrative matters providing technical advice on all operational submissions for the approval of the Head of Office, brief office staff on financial, human resources and administrative policies.
• Provide guidance and supervision to junior Operations staff i.e Admin Assistant and Supply logistics assistant, and Drivers in the Field Office office and swiftly resolve operational issues.
• Coordinate promptly with the Chief of Field Office, in the Field office for security-related issues and emergency operations. Assists Chief of Field offices in the establishment and maintenance of security arrangements and related administrative services.
• Provide operational support to emergency preparedness and emergencies. Inform and update all staff members in the Field office on security related issues and emergency operations.
• Supporting the Administrative assistant and Programme associate to ensure efficiency, effectiveness and adherence to UNICEF policies and regulations.
• Facilitate and acting as an interlocuter between the Country office operations team and the field office Operations team taking into consideration elements of efficiency, performance, risk management and fraud prevention.
• The Senior Operations Associate (GS7) will be entrusted to support 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…

• Education: Completion of secondary education is required.
• University degree (Bachelor’s) in administration, finance, or any other related field of discipline relevant to the job is an asset.

Work Experience:

• For a candidate with secondary education only, a minimum of seven years of relevant professional work experience in functional or technical areas of operations (office management, finance, administration, ICT, supply, logistics, transport, human resources or other related areas of work is required.
• A candidate with master’s degree is required to have a minimum of two years of relevant professional experience
• A candidate with bachelor’s degree is required to have a minimum four years of relevant professional experience.
• Work experience in emergency duty station is an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English and Nepali language is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

Source: https://jobs.unicef.org/cw/en-us/job/579782