UN WOMEN Jobs - 52592- Operations Support Consultant (SSA International)

Operations Support Consultant (SSA International)

Advertised on behalf of

UN WOMEN

Location :

Kabul for retreat mission; Home-based for retainer period, AFGHANISTAN

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

03-Jan-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

12 Months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

12 Months

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. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, UN Women will work 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 center of all its efforts, UN Women will lead and coordinate United Nations System efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. It will provide strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States' priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.

As part of the restructuring launched within the Afghanistan Country Office since 2013, three Programme Pillars and a Management Support Unit have been established. During the period, Pillar Managers and Deputies have been recruited and delegation of authority has been granted accordingly to the head of units for carrying out the transactions in accordance with the approved internal control framework. As of 31 August 2014 almost all the managers’ positions are filled, except the EVAW Pillar Deputy Manager, which is under finalization. The current structure creates new interactions between the Operations Unit and Programme Pillars that need to be clearly defined in line with the UN Women corporate procedures, rules and regulations.

In order to review these new operations business workflows within the office, a consultant was recruited for a period of six weeks from 26 October to 5 December 2014. The consultant has conducted a general assessment and put forward recommendations to improve the operations and programme processes. The main achievements of this consultancy are:

Business processes and workflows have been prepared;
Monitoring tools and forms designed to back up the workflows;
Trainings conducted on programme and budgeting, contracting modalities;
Self-audit conducted and recommendations recorded.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Office needs the services of a consultant who is familiar with UN Women programmes and financial procedures to support the office in implementing the recommendations of the first mission. Under supervision of the Country Representative this consultancy will be partially on site in Kabul and partially on a retainer basis from Home.

Key attributes of this consultancy:

Ability to work effectively and constructively with UN Women Afghanistan Country Office (ACO) staff;
Strong analytical ability; demonstrated interpersonal skills; ability to work in a multicultural team environment, resourceful and solution-oriented, initiative, maturity of judgment, ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing; flexibility in accepting work additional related assignments.

Main objective of the consultancy:

Phase 1 Home based (one week in January):

Assist the Afghanistan Country Office in rolling out the new planning exercise and use of the Detailed Budget/HR/Procurement Plan through Skype sessions with Pillars, review of draft plans and feedback/corrections;
Assist the ACO in establishing a practice of master procurement plan and its monitoring;
Support the office in translating the detailed work plan into 2015 recruitment plan.

Phase 2 On-site in ACO (two weeks in February):

Assist the Afghanistan Country Office in conducting its 2015 all staff Retreat.
Training on RBM, M&E and advance Excel.

Phase 3 Home based ( As per need):

Continuous support on the use of the Detailed Budget/HR/Procurement Plan through Skype sessions with Pillars;
Assist the office prepare the Terms of reference (TOR) for the Functional Review of Afghanistan Country Office (ACO);
Establish an estimate cost reference which would be updated annually.

Deliverables:

ACO All staff retreat program elaborated;
Support through Skype and Email in preparing the detailed 2015 budget;
Master procurement plan 2015;
Recruitment plan 2015;
Training packages on RBM, M&E and Advance Excel.

Duration:

12 months (01 week in January-home based, 2 weeks mission for all staff retreat in February, followed by a retainer contract as per need).

Competencies

Ability to multi-task and respond simultaneously and in a timely fashion to job requirements;
Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines;
Strong and proven integrity, time management and work prioritization skills;
Understanding of UN WOMEN procedures, rules and regulations an asset;
Capacity to take initiative and work both independently and as part of a team;
bility to work in a complex group environment and understand the local context / UN practice in the country
Self-motivated with excellent time management and organizational skills
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality when working with personal staff member issues
Demonstrated sensitivity, discretion, tact and courtesy in relation to gender equality and women’s rights, development principles and projects, implementing partners, and national and international personnel of varied nationalities and backgrounds.
Excellent communication skills, written and oral;
Commitment to upholding the organizational values and principles of UN Women Afghanistan.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

MBA or Masters Degree in Economics, Finance, Accounting or related field with minimum seven years of relevant working experience.

Experience:

Practical Experience in performing pre-audit assessments;
Experience in reviewing, analyzing, validating and reconciling financial/accounting information;
Knowledge of UN accounting, transaction processes (including knowledge of ATLAS and IPSAS) and internal control objectives
Knowledge of risk assessment and management concepts;
Prior relevant work experience with UN Women / UNDP is a plus;
Demonstrated leadership, problem solving and strong verbal and written communication skills
Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain good working relationships and communicate constructively with different levels of management and staff;
Proficiency in MS office and database applications.

Language:

Fluency and good writing skills in English are essential.

Submission Package:

CV;
Letter of Interest containing the statement on candidate’s experience in the field of recruitment;
Financial proposal. The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount breaking down a daily professional fee and international travel expenses (from the country of origin to the duty station and back), visa and other travel related costs.

Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.

Qualified female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.