Deputy Representative, Operations at the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)

United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Deputy Representative, Operations

Job No: 554910
Location: Abuja
Contract type: Fixed Term Appointment
Level: P-5
Categories: Administration

For every child, dedication

• As a Strategic Business Partner, the Deputy Representative (Operations) will have overall responsibility of overseeing the operational functioning of the country office, specifically responsible for leading for results, drive change, provide risk-informed, solution-focused analysis, advice, and services and contribute to programme and management decisions for delivering results for children in Nigeria. 
• In addition, this position serves as a key strategic advisor to their office's leadership in helping implement UNICEF’s Strategic Plan 2022 - 2025.

How can you make a difference? 

• In Nigeria, UNICEF works in a complex humanitarian and development setting to fulfill and protect children’s rights. UNICEF Nigeria is one of the largest UNICEF Country Offices globally.
• The experienced Deputy Representative (Operations) to become part of a highly motivated and committed team of over 400 staff who work to bring visible changes in the lives of the most disadvantaged children in NIGERIA. 

Key Functions and Accountabilities
The Deputy Representative’s (Operations) key functions and accountabilities include:

• Champion strategic management of resources to achieve organizational goals and ensure Value for Money (VfM)
• Enhance Risk Management to increase organizational performance and strengthen internal control (Valuing Risk Management)
• Ensure further operational centralization and optimization for maximized efficiency gains (Valuing Systems and Structures)
• Strengthening internal and external-facing partnerships and leveraging UNICEF’s oversight and understanding of financial management across all areas of the office (Valuing Partners)
• Valuing People: Together with People Management, manage and develop people resources to promote technical competence and foster career progression and retention of a “fit for purpose”/ agile workforce.

Qualifications

• An Advanced University Degree (Master’s and above) in one of the following areas is required: Business management; Financial management; Accounting; Public Finance; and related operations function (Supply Chain, Human Resources, Information Technology, International Business, Project management, etc.) or a full professional accounting designation (CA, ACA, ACCA, CPA, CIMA, CPFA, Expert Comptable) from an internationally recognized institute/body of accountancy with valid membership in good standing is required.
• A minimum of 10 years of professional experience at the national and international level is required, specifically in advocating and implementing strategic organizational initiatives in one or more operations management areas, including budget; financial management and reporting; facilities management; administration; supply and logistics management; information and communication technology; human resources.
• Prior experience in the development sector or UN system/ international NGOs would be an asset.
• Additional experience in one or more of the following areas would be desired:
  • Audit and investigations
  • Safety and Security
  • Grant Management
  • Enterprise Risk Management
• Experience in a UN system agency, large private or public company, or experience working in a developing country and/or humanitarian/ emergency context is an asset.
• Experience in working with corporate ERPs (Enterprise Resource Planning) and IPSAS (International Public Sector Accounting Standards) is highly desirable.
• Experience in Results Based Management is a requirement.
• Experience in managing successful client-oriented work units is an asset.
• Experience in co-creating policy is desirable.
• Prior experience working with diverse stakeholder groups or multi-stakeholder partnerships is highly desirable.
• Previous hands-on experience in strategic and managerial leadership is required.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office applications is required.

UNICEF competencies required for this post are:

• Nurtures, Leads, and Manages People (3)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (3)
• Works Collaboratively with others (3)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (3)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (3)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (3)
• Drives to achieve impactful results (3)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (3).

(Functional) Competencies:

• Deciding and Initiating Action (2)
• Following Instructions and Procedures (3)
• Entrepreneurial Thinking (3)
• Analyzing (3).

Other skills:

• Emotional Intelligence
• Managing complexity and change

Country Typology:

The position is based in ABUJA, a family duty station with international schools available and particularly well suited for families with young children.

• Country Income Level: Nigeria is a middle-income country.
• Duty Station: Abuja is a C duty station, family, and non-emergency duty station.
• Office Size: 415 staff members, nine field offices.
• Overall annual budget: Approximately USD 250 million
• Schooling: There are several international schools in Abuja (primary and secondary) including American, British, and French schools of a good standard.

Application Closing Date
20th September, 2022 (W. Central Africa Standard Time).