Chief of Operations at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

The position of Chief of Operations is located at UNEP’s global headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. Under the supervision of the Director, Communication Division, and in close consultation with the Division's Deputy Director, the incumbent will carry out the following duties:

Responsibilities

1. Operations Management:
   1. Directly implement, manage and oversee the Division’s finance, human resources, procurement, ICT, security and other associated operations and actions in compliance with the organization's policies, procedures, rules and regulations.
   2. Ensure effective and efficient operations and business processes support to the Division’s Sections and to its out-posted offices.
   3. Manage the human and other resources of the Division’s Operation Unit. Serve as Human Resources secretariat for all senior professional recruitments in the Division.
   4. Establish, enhance, and maintain strong working relationships with relevant stakeholders and service providers in other UN entities, especially the UN Office Nairobi Operations Planning, Monitoring and Reporting.
   5. Plan, monitor, assess, and report on the Division’s operations strategy and work, developing and delivering against the operations components of the Division Management Plan, in the context of the Division’s project commitments to UNEP’s Programme of Work and its Medium Term Strategy.
2. Policy and Procedure Development, Implementation, and Compliance:
   1. Develop, standardize, implement and ensure compliance with organizational and divisional policies, procedures and protocols related to the communication function and Communication Division work processes and resource scheduling.
3. Business Continuity Planning:
   1. Develop, monitor, and maintain the Division’s business continuity plan and ensure effective and efficient process, transition, workflow, and succession planning for seamless programme delivery and reduced risks.
4. UMOJA/Enterprise Resource Planning (ERPs) Super User and Facilitator:
   1. Oversee the Division’s implementation of UMOJA and other ERPs, including compliance with and execution of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).
   2. Facilitate the rollout of ERPs in the Division and provide relevant training to staff.
5. Perform other related duties.

Competencies

1. PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge in the use and application of the Organization’s financial regulations and rules as well as accounting policies and practices. Ability to extract, interpret, and analyse a wide variety of data and to resolve data discrepancies and other problems. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.
2. TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
3. PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; Uses time efficiently.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business or public administration, finance, accounting, law or related area 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. .

Work Experience

1. A minimum of seven years of combined progressively responsible experience at the professional level in any three (3) of the following five (5) areas is required: administration, finance, accounting, human resources management and procurement.
2. Experience working with an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system/s is required.
3. Experience in the United Nations or other international organization is desirable.
4. At least three years of experience leading multicultural teams is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

NOTE: ‘Fluency’ equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write and understand) and ‘Knowledge of’ equals a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Appointment against this post is for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Internal Applicants – when completing the PHP, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you.

Individual Contractors and Consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for or be appointed to any professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions, within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. For such positions, at least six months need to have elapsed between the end of a consultancy or individual contract and the time of application and consideration for an appointment as a staff member under the Staff Rules and Regulations of the United Nations.

All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Need Help?" link.

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.