UN WOMEN: OPERATIONS MANAGER IN AFGHANISTAN

Background

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. Placing women's rights at the centre of all its efforts, the UN Women leads and coordinates United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. It provides strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States' priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors. Under the guidance of the Country Director, with day to day supervision from the Deputy Country Director, the Operations Manager acts as an advisor to Senior Management on all aspects of Country Office (CO) management and operations. This includes strategic financial and human resources management, efficient procurement and logistical services, ICT and common services consistent with UN/UN Women rules and regulations. The main role is to lead operations, ensuring smooth functioning of the CO/programmes/ projects operations, consistent service delivery and constant evaluation and readjustment of operations to take into account changes in the operating environment as and when needed. The Operations Manager leads and guides the CO Operations Team and fosters collaboration within the team, with programme staff and with other UN Agencies with a client-oriented approach. The Operations Manager works in close collaboration with programme and project teams in the CO, operations staff in other UN Agencies, UN Women Bangkok Regional Center and HQs staff and Government officials to successfully deliver operations services.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions: Provides strategic direction for UN Women operations in the Country Ensures well-managed and results-oriented operations Provides strategic direction for UN Women operations in the Country Ensure overall operations are carried out, effectively, efficiently, on time and in a transparent manner, and in full compliance with UN Women’s approved regulations, rules and procedures;; Determine optimal techniques/processes for improving effectiveness and efficiency of business operations; Ensure CO business processes mapping and establishment of internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in Finance, Human Resources Management, Procurement, Assets Management, Logistical, and ICT services. Knowledge building and sharing with regards to management and operations in the CO, organization of operations staff training, synthesis of lessons learnt/best practices, and sound contribution to UN knowledge networks and communities of practice. Establishment of collaborative arrangements with potential partners, a Client Relationship Management System for resource mobilization purposes and appropriate operational partnership arrangements. Serve as a member of the Country Management Team, and provide advice and support to the Country Representative on operations issues; Ensures well-managed and results-oriented operations Oversee operational and staffing requirements for Programmes and their component projects by participating in review meetings and assessing the managerial and operational capacities of implementing partners, in close collaboration with programme and technical teams; Analyze operational aspects of project inputs under both partners’ and UN Women execution in terms of personnel, equipment, sub-contracts, procurement, training, etc.; Ensure strategic and efficient management and monitoring of offices and programmes financial resources, while exercising proper financial controls and adherence to corporate financial policies, rules and regulations.  Develop appropriate alternative solutions to meet programme and office objectives when deviation from rules and regulations necessary, so as to ensure the timely and transparent delivery of resources and financial reporting therein; Maintain optimal staffing of offices and projects through timely provision and training of human resources applying HR tools and mechanisms and advise on appropriate contract modalities. Implement and monitor HR policies and incorporate HR systems including performance management; Management & oversight of recruitment & contract management processes in accordance with UN Women rules and regulations, including implementing partner agreements. Supervise implementation of corporate financial, procurement and HR systems and ensure adequate training of staff and project personnel on these issues. Maintain oversight for the timely provision of goods and services for offices and programmes following established corporate procedures regarding sub-contract review and awarding of contracts both for programme and procurement purposes and evaluate cost effectiveness; Manage UN Women assets and liabilities and ensure proper inventory control; Ensure  that UN Women 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; Ensure corrective action taken as appropriate on audit findings, advances, Purchase Orders and Requisitions, payments and other financial/administrative issues; Participation in audit preparation as well as monitor, follow–up, and implement audit recommendations. Create enabling environment for high level performance of programme implementation.

Competencies

Core values and Guiding principles: Integrity: Demonstrate consistency in upholding and promoting the values of UN Women in actions and decisions, in line with the UN Code of Conduct. Professionalism: Demonstrate professional competence and expert knowledge of the pertinent substantive areas of work. Cultural sensitivity and valuing diversity: Demonstrate an appreciation of the multicultural nature of the organization and the diversity of its staff. Demonstrate an international outlook, appreciating difference in values and learning from cultural diversity. Core competencies: Ethics and Values: Demonstrate and safeguard ethics and integrity Organizational Awareness: Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment Development and Innovation: Take charge of self-development and take initiative Work in teams: Demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multi ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds. Communicating Information and Ideas: Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication Self-management and Emotional Intelligence: Stay composed and positive even in difficult moments, handle tense situations with diplomacy and tact, and have a consistent behavior towards others Conflict Management: Surface conflicts and address them proactively acknowledging different feelings and views and directing energy towards a mutually acceptable solution. Continuous Learning and Knowledge Sharing: Encourage learning and sharing of knowledge Appropriate and Transparent Decision Making: Demonstrate informed and transparent decision makin Functional Competencies: Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting Ability to lead formulation and monitoring of management projects Ability to lead business processes re-engineering, implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities Leads teams effectively and shows mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills Promotes knowledge management in UN Women and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Masters’ degree (or equivalent) in business administration, finance, international development studies, economics, or related field. Experience: At least 7 years relevant experience in operations management (finance, HR, administration, procurement, ICT, and logistics) and in providing management advisory services. Experienced user of office software packages and web-based management systems. Experience in facilitating programme and operations management including coordination and implementation. Experience in post-conflict countries considered an asset. Language Requirements: Fluency in written and spoken English. Excellent writing skills required. Note: In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment. All applications must include (as an attachment) the completed UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment. Applications without the completed UN Women P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.

Click here for important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders).

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.