UN WOMEN Jobs - 114772- Operations Specialist

Operations Specialist

Advertised on behalf of

UN WOMEN

Location :

Cairo, EGYPT

Type of Contract :

FTA Local

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

13-Dec-23 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

NO-C

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

Arabic 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. UN Women supports UN Member States as they set global standards for achieving gender equality and work with governments and civil society to design laws, policies, programmes and services needed to ensure that the standards are effectively implemented and truly benefit women and girls worldwide. It works globally to make the vision of the Sustainable Development Goals a reality for women and girls and stands behind women’s equal participation in all aspects of life. The Regional Office for the Arab States (ROAS) covers 18 Arab countries, including 4 country offices and several programme and project presences.

WPS-HA is implementing UN Women Syria Programme which receives generous support from the Governments of Finland, the Netherlands, and Norway In support of Syria’s political process under Security Council resolution 2254 (2015), and in line with the UN Security Council's landmark resolution 1325 (2000), which enshrines the essential role of women in securing and maintaining peace, UN Women has been bolstering Syrian women’s leadership in peace-making since 2013. This has included logistical and substantive support to the work of the Women’s Advisory Board (WAB) in close collaboration with the Office of the UN Special Envoy for Syria (OSE), support to Syrian civil society, research and advocacy on gender equality and women’s rights, as well as coordination activities on women, peace and security issues in the context of Syria.

Additionally, WPS-HA is implementing Phase III of “Women, Peace and Security in the Arab States- Phase III” (2023-2025) funded by the Governments of Finland, with the overall objective of strengthened implementation of WPS commitments on the ground by ensuring that national actors have the capacities, resources and will to implement the WPS agenda; enhancing protection for women survivors of conflict; and promoting their role as key actors in conflict prevention, and phase III of “Enhancing Women's Leadership for Sustainable Peace in Fragile Contexts in the MENA Region-Phase III” (2022-2025) funded by GIZ, with overall objective is for women and girls to be able to contribute to and have a greater influence in building sustainable peace and resilience in protracted conflict and crisis settings in the MENA region

Reporting to the WPS-HA Advisor with a dotted reporting line to ROAS Operations Manager, the Operations Specialist in the Arab States Regional Office serves as a member of the WPS management team, with oversight responsibilities for all aspects of WPS-HA operations, this includes strategic financial and human resources management, efficient procurement and logistical services, security management, ICT and common services consistent with UN Women rules and regulations. The Operations Specialist additionally serves as a key advisor to the WPS-HA Advisor on matters of organizational integrity with the aim of ensuring: (i) compliance with UN Women policies and regulations; (ii) effective systems to support programme delivery and growth; (iii) accountability to organizational values and principles; and (iv) an enabling workplace environment in which staff potential is maximized.

The Operations Specialist leads and guides the WPS-HA Operations Team and fosters collaboration within the team, with programme staff and with other UN Agencies and a client-oriented approach. The Operations Specialist works in close collaboration with WPS-HA programme team in the office, providing close guidance to WPS-HA programme staff who perform adjunct operations functions, ensuring that such staff are knowledgeable of rules and procedures governing programme finances, donor reporting, and personnel. She/he also works in collaboration with operations staff in other UN Agencies, UN Women Regional Office HQ staff and Government officials to successfully deliver operations services.

Duties and Responsibilities

Manage the operations of WPS-HA programmes in Arab States Regional Office

Serve as a member of WPS Management team and provide advice and support to the WPS Advisor and Programme Managers on operational issues;
Develop the annual work plan for the WPS-HA Operations Team and oversee its implementation and monitoring;
Participate in review meetings and assess the managerial and operational capacities of WPS-HA implementing partners in collaboration with the programme and technical team;
Manage business process mapping and establish internal standard operating procedures in all areas of the Operations Team’s functions;
Manage the implementation of WPS-HA Programmes budget, financial, procurement, and HR policies and systems and ensure adequate training of staff and project personnel on these issues;
Ensure a continuous and up-to-date flow of information between the WPS-HA programmes and RO and HQ;
Oversee all operations activities, including finance, human resources, procurement, transport, IT, security, and administration and ensure they follow UN Women rules, regulations, policies and procedures;
Manage staff in WPS-HA Operations Team: Finalize performance plans and evaluation standards; conduct performance assessments, provide feedback and coaching.

Oversee planning, expenditure tracking and auditing of financial resources

Ensure strategic and efficient management of WPS-HA programme financial resources;
Exercise proper financial controls;
Report locally and to HQ on established structures; seek advice from RO when deviations may be necessary;
Review and take corrective action as appropriate on audit findings;
Perform Manager Level 2 role in ATLAS for voucher and Purchase Order (PO) approvals;
Ensure the WPS-HA Programmes compliance with the Internal Control Framework, Delegation of Authority and segregation of duties and responsibilities.

Oversee/Provide Human Resources services to the WPS-HA Programmes

Oversee recruitment processes; liaise with the RO/HQ and service providers as necessary;
Oversee contracts; advise on appropriate contract modalities.

Oversee procurement processes

Manage the provision of goods and services for the WPS-HA programmes following established corporate procedures regarding sub-contract review and awarding of contracts, evaluate for cost-effectiveness and manage the negotiations in connection with eventual agreements;
Manage the preparation of procurement plans in the WPS-HA programmes;
Participate in Procurement Review Committees (R-PRC);
Manage WPS-HA programmes assets and liabilities and ensure proper inventory control.

Oversee information and communications technology (ICT) management

Oversee the implementation of ICT systems;
Ensure staff have access to ATLAS functionality for improved business results and improved client services;
Manage the maintenance of a secure, reliable infrastructure environment for ICT and adequate planning for disasters and recoveries.

Serve as the focal point for security issues and ensure safety and security of staff

Brief WPS-HA supervisor and staff on security matters and disseminate relevant information as advised by UNDSS, brief UN Women visitors on security;
Ensure that personnel request appropriate security clearance for travel;
Liaise with HQ-based Security Advisor or their designated staff member on all security matters.

Participate in inter-agency activities

Represent UN Women in inter-agency meetings and working groups on operations issues to ensure UN Women’s 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;
Liaise with UNDP and other UN agencies on operational issues, activities, and collaboration.

Contribute to knowledge sharing between the WPS-HA Programmes COs and RO

Ensure knowledge is shared and adequately applied between the WPS Programmes COs and RO in the region.

IV. Key Performance Indicators

All services are provided in compliance with UN Women rules, regulations and policies;
Finances are properly identified and in a timely manner;
Timely recruitment and a proactive approach which ensures the Offices are fully staffed at all times;
Timely and accurate implementation of procurement contracts;
Office has a reliable ICT infrastructure environment;
Safety and security systems are functioning effectively;
Performance of Staff.

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.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies: https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/UN-Women-values-and-competencies-framework-en.pdf

Functional Competencies

Strong knowledge of operation, finance, procurement, human resources, ICT, and security systems and processes, particularly in the UN system is an asset;

Ability to provide advice and support;
Ability to lead formulation and monitoring of management projects;
Ability to handle confidential information;
Good negotiating skills;
Strong IT skills.

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;
At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience at the national or international level, in office management, operations, or finance;
Experience in leading a team;
Experience in working in a computer environment using multiple office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems and ERP systems, preferably PeopleSoft;
Experience in accrual accounting, IPSAS, or IFRS is highly desirable;
Professional background in programming/ projects management is desirable.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English, and Arabic are required;
Knowledge of another UN official working language is an asset.

Application Information:

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;
UN Women will only be able to respond to those applications in which there is further interest.

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.

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity, and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check).