UN WOMEN Jobs - 112733- Operations Consultant

Operations Consultant

Advertised on behalf of

UN WOMEN

Location :

Homebased

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

12-Jun-23 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

6 months

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

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.

Part of the Strategic Partnerships Division (SPD), the Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships and Advisory Services (MPAS) Section leads UN Women’s engagement with the private sector, corporations, philanthropy, foundations, and individuals - both in terms of a substantive components and resource mobilization - and it drives a wide range of UN Women’s global initiatives: HeForShe, Women Entrepreneurship Accelerator (WEA), Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) and Unstereotype Alliance (UA). It also leads the work with all UN Women National Committees, and on the development of the individual/digital giving as well as Advisory Services business line for private sector. MPAS’ main aims are to ensure that UN Women develops and sustains high quality and impact focused partnerships to achieve maximum results for gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Under the direct supervision of the Coordination Analyst, the Operations Consultant supports the coordination and completion of operational and programmatic activities of the unit. The Operations Consultant supports the delivery of organizational goals and operational results, including the compilation of information and analysis on a routine basis, handling daily operations, and providing guidance to MPAS teams. S/he will be responsible for supporting the improvement of internal operations within MPAS and the implementation of team workplans. It is envisioned that MPAS will establish a full-time staff post to provide operational support. In the interim, the temporary support from a consultant is required to establish an operational structure and corresponding practices for the MPAS team and oversee their implementation.

Duties and Responsibilities

Responsibilities:

1. Provide effective budgetary and financial administration support in compliance with UN Women rules, regulations, and policies

Provide technical input to coordination, management and monitoring of financial, administrative, procurement and logistical matters according to UN Women’s standard criteria;
Guide and implement business process mapping and the establishment of internal standard operating procedures for all MPAS initiatives. Develop and present operational status reports.
Ensure effective information flow, communication and coordination across the team on operational matters;
Provide input and guidance on all MPAS initiatives and problem-solving challenges to achieve the goals of MPAS annual work plan, including targeted financial results;
Verify on a monthly basis regular resources (RR) allocations received by teams and available cash in non-core funds
Issue budget revisions to management projects in line with sections / units workplans, and as per adjustments based on budgetary guidelines for each type of funds and UN Women FRR.
Provide inputs on budgetary planning, performance and monitoring at aggregate and detailed level focusing on managerial efficiency and financial sustainability.
Elaborate and analyze resource requirements for project budget submissions.
Issue monthly and yearly monitoring reports on delivery rates (implementation and utilization rates) in accordance with instructions from to Financial Management Section (FMS) and Programme Support & Management Unit (PSMU). This includes preparation of Power-point presentations for team’s staff meetings and as required.
Review and coordinate the issuance of financial reports as required by projects with FMS.
Process GLJEs as needed.
Support MPAS teams with the End-of-Month financial checklist certification.

2. Coordinate the planning, expenditure tracking and auditing of financial resources in accordance with UN Women rules and regulations and policies and strategies:

Provide professional expertise and technical support to the management of MPAS’ financial resources;
Exercise proper financial controls;
Review and take corrective action as appropriate on audit findings;
Perform Manager Level 1 role in Quantum for voucher and PO approvals.

3. Provide programmatic support with donor agreements linked to other resources (non-core)

Provide technical guidance to project managers (PMs) on the different processes related to donor agreements, funding modalities, budget structure, linkage to workplans and reporting commitments.
Support PMs with the management of donor agreements in the Donor Agreements Management System (DAMS), making sure that entries are accurate and updated.
Prepare project budgets and revisions to include support cost and activities as per agreement and approved section’s workplans in RMS. This includes the preparation of budget monitoring reports on a monthly basis.
Liaise with FMS Revenue Team on the application of funds to respective projects, including transfer of fund between HQ/CO/RO/LO projects.
Support PMs in the preparation of progress and final reports as specified in the donor agreement, and other reports as required. This includes uploading reports in DAMS in a timely manner based on reporting schedule.
Prepare information for the audit of projects and support implementation of audit recommendations.
Coordinate with PMs and FMS to operationally and financially close projects.

4. Provide support in work planning activities for MPAS

Provide budgetary and programmatic support in the preparation of workplans, budget documents, and proposals.
Support entries of workplans in Results Management System (RMS), including semi-annual M&E requirements in RMS.
Provide inputs to biannual workplans.
Assure that mapping of RMS and Quantum activities is accurate based on BWP’ guidance.

5. Facilitate knowledge building and sharing

Provide support on synthesis of lessons learned and best practices related to operations and financial management.
Provide support to the organization on training for staff and partners on programme related issues and operations.
Review and give feedback on SOPs and business processes.

Collaborate with SPD Business Center to facilitate the smooth flow of information from MPAS regarding operational matters, and to effectively address corporate reporting requirements and requests
Provide support to the SPD Business Center on operational processes related to budget management, financial planning and reporting

6. Other operational roles

Provide suggestions to optimize processes and scale new and existing processes;

7. Undertake other ad hoc duties and assignments at the request of the MPAS Chief.

Deliverables:

Programmatic and operational support to MPAS
Feedback and inputs to improve processes and SOPs.
Monthly project budget status reports including commitments to be shared with PMs.
Timely and accurate support to budget formulation.

Competencies

Core Values:

Respect for Diversity
Integrity
Professionalism

Core Competencies:

Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues
Accountability
Creative Problem Solving
Effective Communication
Inclusive Collaboration
Stakeholder Engagement
Leading by Example

Required Skills and Experience

Education and certification:

Master’s degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, HR, or related field is required; a first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

At least 2 years progressively responsible experience at the national or international level, in office management, operations or finance;
Management experience in back-office support operations.
Experience in liaising with a myriad of stakeholders and partners, including government, civil society, international organizations and grassroots organizations;
Experience in working in a computer environment using multiple office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems and ERP systems,
Experience in the use of Quantum is an asset.
Experience in supporting a team.

Language:

Fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.