Operations Specialist

UNICEF works in the world’s toughest places to reach the most disadvantaged children and adolescents – and to protect the rights of every child, everywhere. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we do whatever it takes to help children survive, thrive and fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines, we support child health and nutrition, safe water and sanitation, quality education and skill building, HIV prevention and treatment for mothers and babies, and the protection of children and adolescents from violence and exploitation. Before, during and after humanitarian emergencies, UNICEF is on the ground, bringing lifesaving help and hope to children and families. Non-political and impartial, we are never neutral when it comes to defending children’s rights and safeguarding their lives and futures.

The fundamental and primary mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in child survival, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations. Strategic office context: The Operations function is a strategic Business Partner role, assuring the best use of UNICEF assets in alignment with sound management practices, office priorities and goals to deliver results for children

The Operations Specialist will support the following four pillars: Valuing People, Valuing Money, Valuing Risk Management, Valuing Systems and Structures. Valuing People: Support the development of people resources to promote technical competence Support an environment of management excellence, staff well-being and accessibility and inclusion through implementation of strategies, policies, procedures. - Contribute to solutions and advise to office management on people management and office culture. - Support the human resource development and resourcing strategies to bring about changes in knowledge, skills, abilities and mind sets for Operations staff. Valuing Money: Contribute to strategic resources to ensure Value for Money (VfM) - Ensure effective identification and use of resources in various concrete Value for Money (VfM) areas, including eco-efficiency and inclusivity, common premises, costing, results-based budgeting financial monitoring etc. - Support Business Units on options to generate greater VfM. - Support the financial oversight management, monitoring and reporting of all the Region’s budget; make analysis and recommendations for Senior Management to take risk informed decisions. Valuing Risk Management: Enhance Risk Management to increase organizational performance and strengthen internal control - Support the office with up-to-date information to make operational and programmatic risk informed decisions and improve performance, with the support of the existing risk management platforms. - Oversee Offices completion and testing of business continuity plans to ensure UNICEF organizational resilience to disaster and risks and staff safety and security as well as Emergency Preparedness and Response to humanitarian situations. - Review internal controls and policies/guidance included in the Regulatory Framework, provide oversight of appropriate implementation of policies and procedures and provide feedback on policy and internal controls as appropriate. - Facilitate mitigation of risks of engagement with external partners via appropriate, risk-informed due diligence. Valuing Systems and Structures: Ensure further operational centralization and optimization for maximized efficiency gains - Review and recommend simplification of Operations processes to minimize cost, reduce duplication of work and maximize efficiencies while creating an environment of smarter controls to render the organization agile, resilient and ready to respond to programme needs. - Facilitate compliance with systems by building awareness and capacity of users, explore new ways of working - including in the context of SG Reform – and continuously improve IT-enabled business processes to increase productivity and collaboration, better knowledge management, and ensure effective use of UNICEF assets. - Provide key contribution to CPMP and review operational structures in collaboration with Regional Chiefs of Operations and the Strategic Business Support unit in DFAM.