National Post: Operations Officer, NOB, FTA, Bogotá, Colombia

The Position:

The Operations Officer is a key member of the senior management team. As a team leader, the incumbent provides comprehensive and professional services in the design and delivery of operational services that facilitate implementation of the Office’s programme of work. The incumbent oversees finance, human resources(HR) and administration areas and is required to oversee other operational areas such as procurement, facilities and asset management, security, and information technology (IT) all in compliance with UNFPA regulations. The Operations Officer ensures that services are delivered efficiently, effectively, and with a client-centric focus, utilizing the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. As the Operations Officer, your leadership will extend to inspiring and guiding the Country Office Services Center Team, cultivating a collaborative atmosphere across the office, with program staff, partners, and UN Agencies. You will be a key resource for program teams, offering expert guidance on operational matters. Furthermore, you will actively engage with your counterparts in other UN Agencies to promote knowledge exchange and best practices.

The Operations Officer works under the direct supervision of the Country Representative.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

The Operations Officer ensures the smooth functioning, effective management, and results-oriented operation of the UNFPA Services Center within the Country Office. He/she facilitates program implementation and delivery by proactively addressing the operational needs of programs and projects managed within the CO.

The Operations Officer is dedicated to strengthening and supporting the CO in programme and operational aspects. The incumbent also works in close collaboration with the programme team, HQs and Regional Office, government counterparts (as partners) as well as the strategic planning analyst to ensure the successful implementation of programme policies, procedures and audit recommendations.

You would be responsible for:

Coordinate the UNFPA Services Center, including operations and programme functions in the Country Office (CO) in accordance with UNFPA regulations, policies and strategies. 

• Putting in place and coordinating the UNFPA Services Center, including an innovative model of coordinated administrative, finance and programme functions to enhance the effective delivery of UNFPA programmes and projects. 
• Serving as a member of the Country Management Team and providing operational support to the CO Representative.
• Provide professional expertise and technical support to the Country Representative on operational and programme issues.
• Ensuring a smooth functioning, well-managed and results-oriented Country Office.
• Overseeing operations and staffing requirements for the CO and its component projects by participating in review meetings and assessing the managerial and operational capacities of implementing partners in collaboration with the programme and technical team.
• Analyzing operational aspects of project inputs under both UNFPA and partners’ execution in terms of personnel, equipment, subcontracts, procurement, training, etc.
• Supervising administrative staff at the CO and ensuring established procedures are being followed.

Provide Human Resources services.

• Maintaining optimal staffing of office and projects through timely provision (recruitment) and training of human resources (HR) applying HR tools and mechanisms and advising on appropriate contractual modalities. 
• Monitoring implementation by service providers of entitlements (salaries and benefits).
• Establishing and maintaining a harmonious working environment; seeking to strengthen team building by encouraging active participation and interaction at all levels; fostering staff development and empowerment.

Oversee procurement processes.

• Maintaining oversight of the timely provision of goods and services for the CO and projects following established corporate procedures regarding sub-contract review and awarding of contracts, evaluating cost effectiveness, and managing the negotiations in connection with eventual agreements.
• Managing CO assets and liabilities and ensuring proper inventory control.

Participate in inter-agency activities. 

• Participating actively in inter-agency meetings and working groups to ensure UNFPA 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.

Carry out any other duties as may be required by UNFPA leadership. 

 

Work Relations

The Operations Officer supervises the UNFPA Services Center staff at the CO. Internal contacts include the Representative, Assistant Representative, the CO programme technical team, and Operations teams between COs within the region. He/she actively participates in local inter-agency coordination to ensure UNFPA’s needs in common systems and service issues are met. External partners include other UN agencies, the UN Country Team, vendors, and other non-U partners that are essential to the work of the Operations Office.

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

• Master’s degree in Business administration, Public Administration, Finance, Economics or related field or
• Bachelor's degree in Business administration, Public Administration, Finance, Economics or related field
• Certifications such as PMI, among others, will be an additional asset.
  
   

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Candidates with master's degree, at least two (2) years of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services and/or managing staff and operational systems, are required.
• Candidates with bachelor's degree, at least five (5) years of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services and/or managing staff and operational systems, are required.
• Depth understanding of HR management policies, financial rules and regulations, and procurement procedures.
• Advanced proficiency in utilizing computers, standard office software (MS Word, Excel, etc.), and web-based management systems such as ERP.
• Proven ability to analyze complex situations, make sound decisions, and lead teams effectively.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, capable of conveying information clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.
• Prior experience working within the United Nations system is considered a valuable asset.

Languages: 

• Fluency in Spanish is required. 
• Working knowledge of English is required.

Required Competencies: 

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity, 
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, 
• Embracing cultural diversity, 
• Embracing change

Core Competencies: 

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,

Functional Competencies:

• Facilitating quality programmatic results.
• Managing the organization’s financial resources.
• Ensuring compliance with ICT standards and applications.
• Ensuring compliance with Organization’s Policies and procedures.
• Provide procurement services.
• Ensure facilities and assets management.
• Align human resources management with the organization’s strategic direction.
• Attract and develop the countrey workforce.

Managerial Competencies (if applicable):

• Providing strategic focus.
• Engaging in internal/external partners and stakeholders.
• Leading, developing, and empowering people, creating a culture of performance.
• Making decisions and exercising judgment

Other Desirable Skills:

Initiative; strong conceptual abilities; sound judgment; strong interest in development work, especially the mission of UNFPA; and dedication to the principles of the United Nations.

 

Compensation and Benefits:

 This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.