Senior Operations Associate, GS7, Zanzibar, Tanzania.

The UNICEF Tanzania office is seeking to recruit a Senior Operation Associate based in Zanzibar. The successful candidate will be responsible for the operations functions, facilitate change, provide risk informed, solution-focused analysis, advice and services and contribute to programme and management decisions for delivering results for children in specific operational contexts.

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, courage.

Tanzania, now a lower-middle-income country, is making progress in education access, healthcare, and social inclusion. However, challenges persist in child rights, poverty, health, malnutrition, quality education and access to clean water which are compounded by humanitarian risks from climate change, regional instability and the hosting of refugees.

UNICEF's 2022-2027 Country Programme aligns with Tanzania's goals, focusing on child protection, education, health, HIV, nutrition, social policy, and WASH. With efforts concentrated in Kigoma, Mbeya, and Zanzibar, UNICEF’s strategies include system strengthening, partnerships, and social behaviour change. UNICEF’s work also addresses urbanization, responds to humanitarian situations, and ensures gender equality and disability inclusion across the programme.

How can you make a difference? 

As a Senior Operation Associate, the incumbent will be responsible for the operations functions, facilitate change, provide risk informed, solution-focused analysis, advice and services and contribute to programme and management decisions for delivering results for children in specific operational contexts.

The Senior Operations Associate will accomplish this by:

• Supporting services in the functional areas of operations: budget, financial management and reporting, facilities management, administration, supply and procurement management, information and communications technology, and safety and security.
• Supporting the review of business needs for the office, to propose viable solutions aimed at value for money.
• Supporting the fundamentals of ICT management, information security and controls.
• Assisting supply and procurement strategies and interventions to meet programmatic needs while ensuring Value for Money (VfM).

Supporting the management of office premises and facilities with a specific focus on inclusive accessibility, eco sustainability and common premises.

The Senior Operations Associate will be responsible for the following five pillars, the core focus of all operations functions: Valuing People, Valuing Money, Valuing Risk Management, Valuing Systems and Structures, Valuing Partners. 

Valuing People:

• Facilitates in creating an environment of staff well-being and accessibility and inclusion through supporting the implementation of strategies, policies, procedures
• Implement solutions related to people management and office culture as requested by the supervisor
• Orientation of new Staff members on Operations procedures and provide intro packs and coordinate with staff on completion of Mandatory trainings*
• Keep abreast of Organizational standards in management and finance and share best practices and knowledge learned within the office.
• Support Excellence in Operations in UNICEF derived from the five strategic pillars. 

Valuing Money:

• Supporting the office in the Invoice Processing, collecting invoices and filing documents for approval and thereafter processing in vision.
• Uploading electronic files and verify results to destination system.
• Responding to client transaction status and other inquiries in the office.
• Ensuring effective identification and use of resources in various concrete
• Value for Money (VfM) areas, including claiming of VAT refunds, bank reconciliations, eco-efficiency and inclusivity, common premises, costing, Petty cash management, results-based budgeting financial monitoring etc.
• Support the financial oversight management, monitoring and reporting of the office budget - make analysis as needed.
• Support and implement the Supply plan for the office. 

Valuing Risk Management:

• Support the office with up-to-date information to make operational and programmatic risk informed decisions with the enterprise Governance, Risk and Compliance (eGRC) platform.
• Support and participate in testing of business continuity plans to ensure UNICEF organizational resilience to disaster, risks and staff safety and security as well as Emergency Preparedness and Response to humanitarian situations.
• Support implementation of mandatory anti-fraud systems, processes and actions.
• Support mitigation of risks of engagement with external partners via appropriate, risk informed due diligence and HACT assurance activities. 

Valuing Systems and Structures:

Support to Financial Control

• Maintain unit/work plans and budgets as well as offline financial status reports for Unit work plans.
• Monitor and advise budget owners on financial status of projects and potential over expenditures and recommend possibilities for reallocation to ensure the optimum use available funds.
• Responsible for processing payments in VISON related to HACT, utility payments, supplies, PO, advances and other payments with ensuring necessary supporting documentation.
• Process budget revisions of Unit projects for approval of the Chief of the Office.
• Submit periodic financial reports for office management oversight, monitoring and review and confirm availability of funds as required.
• Process requisitions and prepare payment vouchers for the unit.
• Support in CPMP process.
• *Provide Secretarial support to CFO in coordinating with partners, arranging meetings, Logistic support in attending to meetings, managing/facilitating Protocols with Foreign Affairs and State House and all required Admin support to CFO and other IP staff 

Valuing Partners:

• Support Strengthening relations with internal and external stakeholders/clients
• Provide technical and administrative support on HACT implementation, including follow-up actions required on result of financial assurance activities. Contracting of consultants or other service providers
• Facilitates the processing of contracts for consultants and external partners that provide a service to the section/ field office. This includes preparing and filing documents, completing necessary forms and templates, uploading TORs in vision, and making necessary logistical arrangements
• Monitors to ensure Consultants lists, vendor lists and partners are up to date
• Facilitates arrangement for purchase and timely distribution of office supplies.
• Completion of documentation and checklists for recruitment of individual consultants and contractors.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Completion of secondary education; training in business administration is desirable
• Work Experience: A minimum of Seven years of progressively responsible work in administration or financial work experience is required or Bachelor degree with 4 years of related experience.

*A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 4 years of professional experience will be accepted in lieu of 7 years of experience.

• Language Requirements Very good knowledge of the local language and English and knowledge of another UN official language is an asset.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(2) Builds and maintains partnerships (2), Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (2), Drive to achieve results for impact (2), Innovates and embraces change (2), Manages ambiguity and complexity (2), Thinks and acts strategically (2), Works collaboratively with others, Nurtures, leads and manages people

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

visa residence requirements: i.e.: UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.]

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.