Overview
The Operations Manager will provide strategic leadership and overall direction to the Common Services Center (CSC) activities to support UNICEF’s core values and business objectives. The role will lead multi-disciplinary teams and manage cross-functional services impacting CSC performance.
Key Responsibilities
- Manages and provides strategic direction and guidance to CSC in all areas, including Administration, Protocol, Finance, HR and ICT.
- Engages with stakeholders, understands business needs of clients, identifies emerging needs, anticipates challenges, proposes viable solutions, provides creative and innovative ideas aimed at a solution-focused approach to include value for money strategies, all underpinned by quality assurance measures.
- Ensures strategies and processes are in place to identify, promote and empower the potential in operations staff within CSC through career development, opportunities for stretch assignments and succession planning.
- Works with various UNICEF divisions/offices in connecting ideas, people, and systems deploying a flexible model that provides a small footprint, low-cost delivery, and an agile workforce.
- Leads on the strategic planning and management of Rome CSC facilities, ensuring safe, accessible, and environmentally sustainable premises, including estate planning, space management, and capital project development.
- Ensures effective risk mitigation and governance in Rome facilities management through the assessment of MOU, service contracts, and financial commitments related to UNICEF's premises and operations.
- Implements process efficiencies and leverages innovation to enhance sustainability, cost savings, and operational effectiveness across all functional service areas.
- Acts as a change agent using the principles of change management and drives organizational change by leveraging technology to modernize and automate business workflows, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, quality assurance, and operational excellence.
- Develops and monitors office management and work plans for Rome CSC Operations, ensuring efficient resource utilization and cost-effective service delivery.
- Acts as Security Focal Point for the Rome UNICEF Office. Works closely with the designated UNICEF Security Professional, and security focal point(s) of WFP and the UN Security Management System. Supports the Crisis Coordinator in providing leadership for crisis management and business continuity activities for the Rome Office and acts as alternate for the Crisis Coordinator, including to convene the Crisis Management Team and chair its meetings as required. Leads development of the Business Continuity Plan, conducts and reports on regular crisis and business continuity management tests to ensure emergency preparedness, and coordinates communications and training activities for staff and responsible focal points in the Geneva-based entities. Develops and maintains procedures for safety and security management in coordination with WFP. Monitors and reports on safety and security arrangements, including through the maintenance of incident reports.
- Collaborates with designated event coordinators on the planning and facilitation of events hosted by the Rome Office, comprising conferences, meetings, and workshops for UNICEF staff, partners and visitors. Develops and maintains procedures and systems for meeting planning and facilitation.
- Acts as Secretariat to the Rome Management Team (the governance body of the CSC) and provides risk-informed analysis to inform their decision-making. Establishes the Terms of Reference for this body, including setting up the meeting, agenda, and ensuring implementation of decisions.
- As Operations Manager of CSC, primary UNICEF focal point with WFP, the landlord, for negotiations and consultations related to implementation of MOU, premises and services (protocol, security, among others).
- Provides direction to staff and effectively manages their performance to allow people to elevate into subject-matter expert roles and more consistently deliver high quality work.
- As required, under direction of the supervisor, collaborates with other agencies, local authorities on administrative matters including information exchange and harmonization.
- Maintains a healthy, safe, respectful and secure work environment that complies with UNICEF’s zero tolerance commitment against all forms of harassment and abuse.
Required Experience
- A minimum of eight (8) years of relevant work experience at the national and international level, specifically in implementing strategic organizational initiatives in one or more operations management area, including budget; financial management and reporting; facilities management; administration; information and communication technology; and human resources, is required.
- Prior demonstrated experience working with large number of clients in service delivery in United Nations system or working in coordination with other UN agencies, funds and programmes or international organization is required.
- Experience in Results Based Management is required.
- Strategic management experience in leading successful client-oriented teams is required.
- Previous hands-on experience in strategic operations is required.
- Additional experience in one or more of the following areas is an asset: Internal controls, Audit management, Safety and security, Enterprise Risk Management.
- Experience with UNICEF/UN is an asset.
- Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian context is an asset.
Qualifications
- An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: Business Management, Finance, Accounting, Public Administration, and related operations functions (Human Resources, Information Technology, etc.).
- Alternatively, a first level university degree in a relevant field combined with (2) additional years of qualifying professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
