Operations Assistant, GS6, Temporary Appointment, Office of Global Innovation, NYHQ

The Operations Assistant will work under the supervision and as part of the Operations team and will perform a broad range of transactional, procedural and administrative tasks to support the Office of Innovation with a specific focus on daily operations, administration and logistics support for the Innovation Fund.

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.

For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

Background

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does - in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children's rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society's most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

UNICEF has been innovating for children for 70 years. Innovations support the organization's 135+ country offices in finding solutions for the world's most vulnerable children. The UNICEF innovation work includes both policy and practice of innovation in UNICEF, and the larger UN. Innovation in UNICEF is defined as "doing something new or different that adds value." Innovation is a cross-sectoral function that enhances programme and development effectiveness as well as management and is guided in all contexts by UNICEF's Innovation Principles (http://www.unicefstories.org/principles/). UNICEF is engaged in testing and scaling up new partnerships, technologies, and collaborations in some of the world's most difficult operating environments.

In January 2016, the UNICEF established the Office of Innovation in order to strengthen its innovation functions and leverage the increasing opportunities across the organization. The Office of Innovation unites:

• The Global Innovation Centre (GIC): established in 2014, and focusing on Scale Up which looks at expanding the application of proven solutions from one to several countries and regions by UNICEF and partners
• Ventures which looks at investing in new solutions with a 0-2 year horizon
• Futures: focusing on what is coming in the 2-5 year horizon and works with big tech partners

With $11m available in funding for the Innovation Fund, the Office of Innovation is scaling up investments significantly over the course of 2017. In November 2016, UNICEF Innovation announced its first investments in tech start-ups, with an eye to investing in 20-40 more in 2017. In addition, the Innovation Fund will continue to accept applications from UNICEF Country Offices for co-funding from the Innovation Fund. The current portfolio of 25 internal investments will significantly grow as more applications are received and funding granted.

Purpose of the Position

The Operations Assistant will work under the supervision and as part of the Operations team and will perform a broad range of transactional, procedural and administrative tasks to support the Office of Innovation with a specific focus on daily operations, administration and logistics support for the Innovation Fund.

At the G-6 level, the below tasks are expected to be carried out with a high level of independence.

Key Functions, Accountabilities and Related Duties & Tasks

• Assist in preparation and issuing of regular Requests for Expressions of Interest, Requests for Proposals and other support necessary for engaging institutional contractors
• Support the hiring process of individual contractors, including communication with hiring section and candidates, scheduling of interviews, etc.
• Develop and maintain systems to timely disbursements, monitoring and report with Country Offices receiving funds from the Innovation Fund
• Generate and compile a variety of reports to monitor financial expenditure from the Innovation Fund (internal and donor reports according to partnership agreements)
• Provide administrative and logistical arrangements for meetings, workshops, seminars, brown-bags, and speaking engagements for the Office of Innovation by coordinating invites, conference rooms, audio-visual equipment, etc.
• Provide scheduling support, coordinate conference calls and meetings across a high-level and complex set of stakeholders, locations, and time zones
• Support the Office of Innovation keep track on new or revised UNICEF administrative procedures and practices

 Impact of Results

The efficiency and effectiveness of support provided by the Operations Assistant to the Office of Innovation and the Innovation Fund specifically contributes to the effective operational management to better allocate, disburse and monitor resources, provide strategic direction and lead implementation of the investments. This, in turn enhances UNICEF Innovation's capacity in innovating for and helping the world's most vulnerable children and their families.

Duration: 364 Days

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

• Education: Completion of secondary school education is required, with courses/certifications in business administration, supply chain management, procurement or logistics considered as an advantage.

•  Experience: Minimum 6 years of progressively responsible operations-related and/or administrative work experience (procurement, supply, budget, accounting) is required. Familiarity with UNICEF / UN supply procedures and UNICEF SAP system (Vision) is an asset.

•  Language requirements: Fluency in English.

Competencies of Successful Candidate

Core Values

• Commitment
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Integrity

Core competencies

• Communication (II)
• Working with People (II)
• Drive for Results (II)

Functional Competencies  

• Analyzing (II)
• Applying technical expertise (II)
• Planning and organizing (II)
• Following instructions and Procedures (II)

To view our competency framework, please click here. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.