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.  

Afghanistan is one of the world’s most complex emergencies, and the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. Afghan people are grappling with the impact of conflict, poverty, economic decline, and natural disasters. In this context, Afghan women and girls face unique vulnerabilities and require urgent support as gender inequality is interwoven with conflict dynamics and humanitarian needs. It is essential that Afghan women and girls can continue to shape the development of their country, and that their gains are protected. UN Women remains fully committed to supporting Afghan women and girls and to putting them at the center of the global response to the crisis in Afghanistan.  

Reporting to the Procurement and Administration Specialistr, the Operations Consultant provides support services to the operations team on all aspects of the Afghanistan country office operations, this includes financial and human resources management, efficient procurement and logistical services, information and communications technology (ICT) and common services consistent with UN Women rules and regulations. The aim of this consultancy is to ensure: (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 Consultant guides the Country Office Operations Team and fosters collaboration within the team, with programme staff and with other UN Agencies and a client-oriented approach. The Operations Consultant works in close collaboration with programme teams in the Office, providing close guidance to 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.

Duties and Responsibilities

       1. Coordinate the operations in the Country Office (CO) in accordance with UN Women rules and regulations and policies and strategies

  • Provide professional expertise and technical support to the Procurement and Administration Specialist on operational issues;
  • Assist Procurement and Administration in drafting the annual workplan for the Operations Team and oversee its implementation and monitoring;
  • Participate in review meetings and provide technical support to the assessment of the managerial and operational capacities of implementing partners in collaboration with the programme and technical team;
  • Guide and implement business process mapping and the establishment of internal standard operating procedures in all areas of the Operations Team’s functions;
  • Implement corporate, budget, financial, procurement, and HR policies and systems and identify training for staff and project personnel on these issues;
  • Ensure a continuous flow of information between the Country Office and Regional Office/HQ;

      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 office and programme financial resources;
  • Exercise proper financial controls;
  • Report locally and to HQ in a timely manner on established structures; seek advice from RO when deviations may be necessary;
  • Review and take corrective action as appropriate on audit findings;

      3. Oversee procurement processes

  • Manage the provision of goods and services for the CO and projects 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;
  • Provide professional recommendations to the preparation of procurement plans;
  • Ensure proper inventory control of assets and liabilities.

       4. Coordinate information and communications technology (ICT) management

  • Support Procurement and Administration Specialist in overseeing the implementation of ICT systems;
  • Make professional recommendations and introduce new ICT systems which affect the productivity of the overall office staff performance.

        5. Participate in inter-agency activities

  • In absence of Procurement and Administration Specialist participates in inter-agency meetings and working groups 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.

        6. Contribute to knowledge sharing between the CO and RO

  • Ensure knowledge is shared and adequately applied between the Country Office and other COs/MCOs in the region.

       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 and accurate implementation of HR and procurement contracts;
  • Office has a reliable ICT infrastructure environment;
  • Safety and security systems are functioning effectively.

 

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 Values and Competencies Framework: https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/UN-Women-values-and-competencies-framework-en.pdf

Functional Competencies

  • Good 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 contribute to the formulation and monitoring of management projects;
  • Ability to handle confidential information;
  • Negotiating skills;
  • Good 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.

Experience:

  • At least 2 years of progressively responsible experience at the national or international level, in office management, operations or finance;
  • Experience leading a team is an asset;
  • 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 of accrual accounting, IPSAS or IFRS is an asset;
  • Professional background in programming/ projects management is an asset.

Language Requirements:

  • Fluency in English, Dari or Pashto is required
  • Knowledge of the other UN official working language is an asset.

Application:

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.

Inclusion Statement:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits employ, 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.)