Regional Operations Manager

Manage and oversee the operations within the Region:

• Serve as a member of the Senior Management team and provide advice and support to the Regional Director and Deputy Regional Director on operational issues; 
• Oversee the work of Operation Teams in Country Offices (CO); 
• Develop the annual workplan for the Operations Team and oversee its implementation and monitoring; 
• Participate in review meetings to assess the managerial and operational capacities of implementing partners; 
• Determine optimal techniques and business processes; lead business process mapping and establish internal standard operating procedures in all areas of the Operations Team’s functions in RO and COs; 
• Oversee and monitor implementation of corporate, budget, financial, procurement, and HR policies and systems and ensure adequate training of staff and project personnel on these issues in RO and COs; 
• Ensure a continuous and up-to-date flow of information between the RO and HQ and COs/MCO in the region; 
• Oversee all operations activities, including finance, human resources, procurement, transport, administration and ensure they follow UN Women rules, regulations, policies and procedures; 
• Manage staff in Operations Team: Finalize performance plans and evaluation standards; conduct performance assessments, provide feedback and coaching. 

Manage planning, expenditure tracking and auditing of financial resources:

• Ensure strategic and efficient management of office and programme financial resources;  
• Exercise proper financial controls; 
• Report at the regional level and to HQ on established structures; seek advice from HQ when deviations may be necessary; 
• Work closely with HQ, COs, and MCOs on audit processes, including preparation and follow up and take corrective action as appropriate on audit findings and recommendations; 
• Monitor and manage core and extra-budgetary resource allocations;  
• Perform Manager Level 3 Committing Officer role in Quantum for voucher and PO approvals;
• Ensure RO and COs/MCOs compliance with Internal Control Framework, Delegation of Authority, and segregation of duties and responsibilities. 

Oversee procurement processes:  

• Manage the provision of goods and services for offices and projects following established corporate procedures regarding sub-contract review and awarding of contracts, evaluate for cost effectiveness and manage the negotiations in connection with eventual agreements; oversee procurement in COs; 
• Oversee the preparation of procurement plans in RO and COs; participate/chair in local and regional Procurement Review Committees; 
• Oversee RO assets and liabilities and ensure proper inventory control. 

Oversee information and communications management:

• Oversee the implementation of ICT systems; 
• Ensure staff have access to Quantum functionality for improved business results and improved client services; 
• Oversee maintenance of a secure, reliable infrastructure environment for ICT and adequate planning for disasters and recoveries. 

Participate in inter-agency activities: 

• Represent UN Women in inter-agency meetings and working groups on operations issues to ensure UN Women’s 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; 
• Liaise with UNDP and other UN agencies on operational issues, activities, and collaboration.  

Lead Knowledge Sharing between the RO and COs:

• Ensure knowledge is shared and adequately applied between the regional office and COs/MCOs in the region. 

Education and Certification:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, HR, or related field 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. 

Experience:

• At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience at the national or international level, in office management, operations or finance;  
• Experience in leading a team; 
• Experience coordinating with partners and stakeholders; 
• Experience in working in a computer environment using multiple office software packages, experience in handling of web based management systems and ERP systems, preferably PeopleSoft; 
• Experience of accrual accounting, IPSAS or IFRS is highly desirable; 
• Professional background in programming/ projects management is desirable. 
• Experience in the UN system is desirable.