Deputy Director, D-1, Operations and Finance, Geneva

If you are a passionate and committed professional and want to make a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you. UNICEF seeks a Deputy Director (D-1), Operations and Finance, Geneva, Switzerland.

Purpose
Under the overall guidance of the Director, and within the accountability framework established for the Private Fundraising and Partnership Division (PFP), responsible for:
- ensuring leadership, continuity and integrity for PFP’s finance and operational functions, including management and financial accounting and reporting, governance, procurement and contracting, Geneva common office services (COS) administration and regional IT support;
- safeguarding the assets of the organization (including reputation) and ensuring compliance with UNICEF Rules and Regulations, Policy and Procedures;
- assisting the organization to better understand and manage risk;
- Providing the required tools, support and information to facilitate informed decision making on the allocation of resources;
In pursuit of stated financial and fundraising goals and objectives of the organization.

Responsibilities

- Provides leadership to the Financial Accounting, Budgeting and Business Analysis functions, and regularly monitors financial performance as well as the effective allocation and use of resources. Ensures timely and accurate preparation of periodic financial reports and the annual PFP Financial Report for submission to the UNICEF Executive Board.

- Ensures that systems and processes are in place and comply with internal policies and best practice. Coordinates with external and internal auditors and drafts responses to audit observations and management letters. Reviews status of findings, recommendations and follows up on implementation of agreed corrective actions.

- Drives and coordinates development, implementation and monitoring of global policy, guidance and support related to National Committees to ensure that oversight and control, appropriate governance structures and processes, accountabilities, transparency, internal audit, ethics, etc. are addressed and effectively acted upon by National Committees. Ensures continued relevance of policies and initiate revisions as needed.

- Develops and maintains the strategic role of procurement and contracting in provision of cost effective and efficient solutions that contribute to achievement of organizational objectives. Ensures that systems and processes are in compliance with internal procurement and contracting policies and best practice.

- Within the context of provision of Common Services for all UNICEF operating units in Geneva, as well as the Brussels office, provides leadership to:

a) the operations section of the Common Services, administration unit. Ensure that COS staff provide effective, equitable, and efficient and smooth delivery of administrative, security and travel, and business continuity support to all clients. Ensures that this is done in strict observance of rules and regulations, while at the same time giving consideration to the varying needs and operating environments of each of the offices.

b) the Regional IT Section in Geneva. Ensure that IT systems are effectively designed and managed to advance the productivity and effectiveness of the office work by implementing the corporate IT policy, strategy, technology, and systems, as per PFP & CEECIS Office Management plan requirements.

- Advises and assists the Director PFP on technical and functional issues that impact the operations of the Division. Leads or serves the statutory bodies of the Geneva office. This includes the Contracts Review Committee (CRC), the Property Survey Board (PSB), the Financial Advisory Committee (FAC), the Geneva Office Management Team (GOMT), the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC), the Geneva IT Review Committee, and the Geneva Learning and Training Committee (LTC).

- Plans, directs and coordinates the activities of the Operations and Finance sections. Manages the development and implementation of work plans, objective setting for the sections, assignment of responsibilities, establishment of training plans, and ensuring the monitoring and evaluation of staff performance.

Minimum Requirements

Advanced university degree in business administration, finance/economics or equivalent professional qualification. A first level university degree in combination with extensive qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Minimum 15 years of managerial experience in financial and/or operations management of which at least 8 years at a senior level in a large complex multinational organization.

Spoken and written fluency in English required. Working knowledge of French and/or other UN languages would be an asset.

Experience with the United Nations system or a multilateral or bilateral development organization is an advantage.

Remarks

Has highest-level communication skills, including engaging and informative formal public speaking

Consistently achieves high-level results, managing and delivering projects on-time and on-budget

Creates and encourages a climate of team-working and collaboration in a multi-cultural environment

Has high-level leadership and supervisory skills; provides others with a clear direction; motivates and empowers others; recruits staff of a high caliber; provides staff with development opportunities and coaching

Analyzes and integrates diverse and complex quantitative and qualitative data from a wide range of sources

Identifies urgent and potentially risky decisions and acts on them promptly; initiates and generates organization-wide activities

Sets, develops and revises organizational strategy and develops clear visions of the organization’s future potential

Quickly builds rapport with individuals and groups. Actively nurtures good relationships with people across all organizational levels and boundaries, and with government leaders and stakeholders

Negotiates effectively with people inside and outside the organization by adopting a range of approaches


How to apply

If you have got experience of working in a similar capacity and want to make an active and lasting contribution to build a better world for children, send an updated CV and a duly completed United Nations Personal History form (P-11) quoting “VN-12-014” to recruit.ssr@unicef.org by 30 July 2012.

Applications will be considered only if accompanied by an updated CV and P11 form, as well as the two most recent PERs/Evaluations. Regret letters will only be sent to shortlisted candidates.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.