Operations Specialist at the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children's rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential - to the benefit of a better world.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Operations Specialist, P4

Job Number: 519292
Location: Abuja
Work Type: Fixed Term Staff

For every child, a future
Under the general supervision and overall guidance of the Supervisor, the incumbent is responsible for a broad range of activities in a large country office, including but not limited to:

• Strengthening accountabilities;
• Enforcing and strengthening internal controls systems;
• Promoting value for Money, effectiveness and efficiency;
• Supporting the implementation of the UNICEF Anti-Fraud strategy and
• Supporting programme and HACT staff to address spot check recommendations and ensure mitigation of fiduciary risk of partners.

How can you make a difference?
Strengthening Accountabilities:

• Review internal work process in Programme and Operations to make sure that accountabilities are clear, documented and placed at the adequate level as per global policies and/or best practices;
• Periodically conduct a quality review of the table of authority and financial delegations to ensure compliance with the existing policies;
• Periodically test accuracy of role mapping and compliance with the Table of authority and adherence to the delegation of authorities in line with UNICEF policies and Procedures; and
• Advise the management of the office on actions to be taken to enforce and strengthen accountabilities.

Enforcing and strengthening internal controls to ensure that systems are in place to prevent, detect and report non-compliance:

• Assess completeness, adequacy and compliance of work processes in Programme and operations
• Undertake visits to field offices to monitor compliance with all operational systems and operation inputs and propose action to improve the processes.
• Establish a risk-based system to periodically and systematically review a sample of activities (Programme and Operations) to ensure they are carried out according to established work processes and in compliance with UNICEF policies and Procedures
• Establish a system to document and report weaknesses in internal control
• Implement actions aimed at addressing internal controls gaps and building the capacity of responsible staff, and support the development of Standard Procedures as required.
• Assist in the follow-up on the implementation of the internal/external audit recommendations and provides feedback on the status to the supervisor
• Assist in the identification of operational and programmatic risks and weaknesses and make recommendation to mitigate them.

Promoting value for money, cost effectiveness and efficiency:

• In reviewing work processes and enforcing internal controls, the incumbent should systematically identify opportunities for more efficiency and value for money.
• Establish a system to collect information on losses of resources (Cash, Assets, Supplies, etc.), report to the management of the office and advise on measures to be taken to minimize such losses.
• Make recommendations for office improvement and forward monthly progress reports to the Representative.

Supporting implementation of an Anti-Fraud Strategy at the country office level:

• Operationalization of the upcoming global anti-fraud strategy at the CO level.
• Support the management of the office in collecting evidences to respond to queries when initially assessing allegations of wrongdoings or during actual investigations.
• Advise the management on lessons learned from investigations and measures to be taken accordingly.

Supporting programme and HACT staff to address spot check recommendations and ensure mitigation of fiduciary risk of partners:

• Work with programme and HACT colleagues to ensure spot check recommendations are adequately addressed by partners.
• In collaboration with Regional Office and according to procedures and guidance, develop tools and processes to support capacity development of partners so as to mitigate fiduciary risk.
• Work with programme colleagues to develop standard costs for programme activities (in line with the Value for Money concept) and ensure these are applied through the review of all PCAs

Undertake specific tasks as advised by the Supervisor, with due consideration to the level of independence required for this position which should be involved in the day-to day Programme and Operations activities

Requirements
Education:

• Advanced university degree in Business Administration, Finance/ Accounting, or Audit is required. Audit, Investigation or Accounting certifications are considered as assets.

Experience:

• At least Eight (8) years of continuous professional work experience in audit or another directly relevant area, several of which in internal audit.
• Experience in programme design and strategies.
• Experience in financial management, particularly developing and implementing financial control systems, audits, preferably with international organizations, NGOs and UN.
• Experience with Field Operations / Zonal Offices an advantage
• Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required. 
• Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate:

• UNICEFs core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

View our competency framework at: http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

Application Closing Date
(W. Central Africa Standard Time) 23:55:00 GMT+0100; 7th February, 2019.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
• UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.