UNDP Jobs - 57971- Operations Manager - Head of Service Centre

Operations Manager - Head of Service Centre

Location :

Erbil, IRAQ

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

16-Jul-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

Due to the expansion of the UNDP program in Iraq, a service centre is being put in place which will need to guarantee the quick disbursement of funds for the crisis response and the Stabilization efforts in newly liberated areas in Iraq. The service centre is currently servicing the operational challenges of the above projects but may expand to other projects. It is currently funded through the Stabilization and crisis response which have overall budgets exceeding 40M USD in 2015, but may further increase.

The service centre is composed of a finance, procurement, project management/administration and HR functions and is headed by the Operations Manager who has delegated authority as senior manager in the UNDP Iraq office, with senior approval levels.

The main operational challenges for the service centre relate to NGO contracting, tendering for light infrastructure rehabilitation works and direct purchasing by UNDP. The service centre would need to ensure full compliance with UNDP rules and regulations.

Duties and Responsibilities

Ensure effective and efficient operational services and overall management of Service Centre:

Develop appropriate tools to deliver on operational services within the required time frame;
Set up appropriate monitoring system for the service requests in order to excel in client orientation;
Frequent communication to the project managers, as main clients, on progress with respect to service requests;
Supervision of all staff in the operations centre with individual work plans and performance monitoring;
Senior manager approval level in Atlas;
Identify bottlenecks and operational solutions to operational obstacles.

Ensure effective application of operational policies pertaining to project implementation and management:

Work closely with the project managers concerned to develop sound operational project work plans/budgets and implementation plans, which match with expected project outputs;
Clear agreements for working with NGOs or Government counterparts, before signature by Country Director;
Review operational policies and advise on policies and SOPs which will ensure accountability and speed of implementation, with high client satisfaction.

Ensure compliant financial resources management and effective procurement focusing on achievement of the following results:

Implementation of effective internal controls such as maintenance of the internal expenditures control system, financial recording/reporting system;
Proper planning and expenditure tracking of financial resources and monitoring of financial delivery against work plans and preparation of relevant periodic reports;
Procurement strategies including sourcing strategy, supplier selection and evaluation, and quality management;
Review terms of reference to ensure the quality of inputs to be procured;
Preparation of an annual procurement plan, with an indicative list of goods and services as identified in the annual work plan, in collaboration with the procurement specialist. Proper management of assets and timely handover where required;
As part of a longer term capacity building strategy, build the capacity of counterparts and service centre national staff.

Ensure efficient human resource management and general administration of the project focusing on achievement of the following results:

Compliance with UNDP rules and regulations for recruitment and human resource management for the project;
Preparation of recruitment plan and elaboration of job descriptions for required staffing;
Support to recruitment process and work closely with the HR unit of the UNDP Iraq office to ensure timely recruitment of projects staff;
Overall management of administrative issues with administration officer of the service centre.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
Ability to lead monitoring of development projects;
Solid knowledge in financial resources, contracts, asset and procurement, information and communication technology, general administration;
Ability to lead business processes re-engineering, implementation of new systems, and affect staff behaviour/attitudinal change.

Management and Leadership:

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 openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Leads teams effectively and shows mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.

Communications and Networking:

Has good oral communication skills and conflict resolution competency to manage inter-group dynamics and mediate conflicting interests of varied actors;
Has good written communication skills, with analytic capacity and ability to synthesize project outputs and relevant findings for the preparation of quality project reports.

Knowledge Management and Learning:

Shares knowledge and experience;
Actively work towards continuing personal learning and applies newly acquired skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced University Degree (Masters or equivalent) in Business Administration, Operations Management, Social Sciences, International Development, Economics or related fields.

Experience:

10 years relevant work experience, at least 5 of which involve similar senior experience of operational management of projects or programmes and 2 of which in crisis/post conflict countries;
Experience of sustaining high level professional relations with Government officials;
Substantive project operational management experience, including detailed working knowledge of human resources, procurement, ICT, finance, project management, asset management and logistics;
A sound track record of experience in an international setting with the UN or with international organisations, or similar context;
Experience of the Arab region is an advantage;
Good knowledge of Atlas is a must. Computer proficiency, including working knowledge of MS Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Front Page, Adobe In-Design and web-based management systems;
Practical familiarity with UNDP project management principles and practices is essential.

Language:

Fluency in English;
Arabic definitely an asset.