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Operations Manager, Ghana

We are pleased to announce the following vacancy:

VACANCY NO.: Job ID 2009

CLOSING DATE: 23 July 2012 (5.00 p.m. New York time)

POST TITLE: International Operations Manager

CATEGORY: ICS-10 (equivalent to P-3)

POST NUMBER: New

DUTY STATION: Accra

POST TYPE: Rotational

DURATION: One year (renewable)

ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT: Ghana Country Office/ARO

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE:

The International Operations Manager (IOM) will report directly to the UNFPA Representative. As a member of the UNFPA Country Office management team, the IOM provides leadership and advice on all aspects of office management and operations. The IOM supervises a number of national staff involved in finance, budget, audit, procurement, human resource management and general administration.

The IOM leads and guides the operations team through ensuring adherence to established policies, rules, regulations and procedures in a client-oriented manner. He/she also works closely with the programme team in the Country Office as well as other UN agencies, UNFPA headquarters and regional office, government and other implementing partners in order to facilitate effective and efficient implementation and delivery of UNFPA programmes and projects in Ghana.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

A. Ensure a smooth functioning, well-managed and results-oriented Country Office

  • Serve as a member of the Country Office management team, and provide support to the UNFPA Representative in ensuring information flows, advice and support on operations issues related to the Country Office;

  • Oversee operational and staffing requirements for the Country Office and of the Country Programme and its component projects by participating in review meetings and assesses the managerial and operational capacities of the implementing partners, in close collaboration with the programme team;.

  • Analyze operational aspects of the Country Programme under both partners' and UNFPA execution in terms of personnel, equipment, sub-contracts, procurement, training, etc.;

  • Ensure strategic and efficient management of office and programme financial resources, while exercising proper financial controls and adherence to corporate financial policies, rules and regulations. Seek advice from Headquarters when deviation from rules and regulations may be necessary and proposes alternative solutions to meet programme and office objectives;

  • Maintain optimal staffing of office and programme through timely provision and training of human resources applying HR tools and mechanisms and advises on appropriate contract modalities. Implement and monitor HR policies and incorporate HR systems including performance management in the office. Monitor implementation by service providers of entitlements (benefits and salaries);

  • Supervise the implementation of corporate financial, procurement and HR systems and ensure adequate training of staff and project personnel on these issues. Ensure a continuous and updated flow of information between field, the Regional Office and headquarters;

  • Maintain oversight for the timely provision of goods and services for office and programme following established corporate procedures regarding sub-contract review and awarding of contracts, evaluate cost effectiveness and manages the negotiations in connection with eventual agreements;

  • Manage UNFPA assets and liabilities and ensure proper inventory control;

  • Ensure that UNFPA interests are reflected in common system activities related to common services and premises, cost-recovery, and cost-sharing arrangements, privileges and immunities, entitlements and salary surveys, security, etc. by participating actively in inter-agency meetings and working groups;

  • Supervise national staff of the office and ensure that established procedures are being followed;

  • Review and take corrective action as appropriate on audit findings, advances, Purchase Orders and Requisitions, payments and other financial/administrative;

  • Establish and maintain a harmonious working environment; seeking to strengthen team-building by encouraging active participation and interaction at all levels; foster staff development and empowerment.

B. Contribute to efficient operations at the country level, in close collaboration with the programme staff in the Country Office

  • Provide support and advice to the programme associate and programme assistant as well as to other members of the programme team in their programme and operations support to the office, including on follow-up on audit recommendations; and take corrective action as appropriate on audit findings, advances, Purchase Orders and Requisitions, payments and other financial/administrative actions;

  • Promote network relationships for accessing and sharing knowledge in the region on operations matters; and

  • Support a continuous, up-to-date and accurate flow of information between the Country Office and the regional office and headquarters.

Perform any other duties as may be required by the UNFPA Representative.

Core competencies

• Commitment to UNFPA's Values and Guiding Principles . • Developing People/Fostering Innovation and Empowerment/Performance Management • Team Work/Communication/Self-Management • Analytical and Strategic Thinking/Results Orientation and Commitment to Excellence/Decision Making
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Learning

Functional Competencies:

• Business acumen • Implementing management systems • Innovation and marketing of new approaches /Client orientation/ Organizational awareness • Job knowledge/Technical Expertise.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Advanced degree in business administration, public administration, finance, information technology, economics or related field. • At least 5 years of proven relevant progressively responsible work experience in administration, HR management, procurement, finance, information technology and/or office. • Thorough knowledge of the United Nations Staff Rules and Regulations, UNFPA human resource management policies, financial and administrative rules and regulations and procurement, an asset. • Proficiency in Atlas/ PeopleSoft is desirable, word processing and other computerized applications; • Strong writing and oral communication skills; • Excellent command of MS Office Applications (including Word, Excel and PowerPoint); • Management experience is essential; • Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of other UN languages an asset.

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender quality, teamwork, respect for diversity, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply.

We offer an attractive remuneration package commensurate with the level of the position. The package includes a competitive salary plus housing allowance, home leave, health insurance and other benefits.

1/ No expectancy of renewal in accordance with UN Staff Regulation 4.5

How to apply:

How to Apply:

UNFPA has established an electronic application management system. This allows applicants to create a candidate profile, which can be updated regularly and submitted for more than one vacancy.

Download the Step by Step Guide to Applying in the E-Recruit System of UNFPA at http://www.unfpa.org/employment/application_guide.doc. Please print out the Guide for your reference during the registration and application process. Notice: There is no application, processing or other fee at any stage of the application process. UNFPA does not solicit or screen for information in respect of HIV or AIDS and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.

In accordance with the rules of the United Nations, persons applying to posts in the international Professional category, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, are required to renounce such status upon their appointment. Exceptions to this rule are very limited and can be made only for: (a) stateless persons; (b) newly appointed staff members who have applied for citizenship by naturalization, when such citizenship will be granted imminently; (c) acting staff members in the General Service and related categories with permanent residency status, on promotion to the Professional category; (d) staff members appointed under a temporary appointment. Please understand that UNFPA is not in a position to provide advice on or assistance in applying for any citizenship.