Operations Manager

Background

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

The work of UN Women in Moldova is guided by its new Country Strategic Note 2023-2027, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Moldova 2023-2027 (UNSDCF), UN Women Global Strategic Plan, National Programs and Strategies and aims to contribute to the gender-responsive implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Strategic Note focuses on four main areas: 1) Ending Violence against Women; 2) Women’s Leadership and Governance; 3) Women’s Economic empowerment and 4) Humanitarian and Peace development nexus and UN Coordination on gender equality.

Reporting to the Country Representative the Operations Manager in the UN Women Moldova Country Office (CO) serves as a member of the senior management team, with oversight responsibilities for all aspects of the Moldova CO operations, this includes strategic financial and human resources management, efficient procurement and logistical services, security management, ICT and common services consistent with UN Women rules and regulations. The Operations Manager additionally serves as a key advisor to the Country Representative on matters of organizational integrity with the aim of ensuring: (i) compliance with UN Women policies and regulations; (ii) effective systems to support programme delivery and growth; (iii) accountability to organizational values and principles; and (iv) an enabling workplace environment in which staff potential is maximized.

The Operations Manager leads and guides the Country Office Operations Team and fosters collaboration within the team, with programme staff and with other UN Agencies and a client-oriented approach. The Operations Manager works in close collaboration with programme teams in the office, providing close guidance to programme staff who perform adjunct operations functions, ensuring that such staff are knowledgeable of rules and procedures governing programme finances, donor reporting, and personnel. She/he also works in collaboration with operations staff in other UN Agencies, UN Women Regional Office and HQ staff and Government officials to successfully deliver operations services.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Manage the operations in the UN Women Moldova Country Office

• Serve as a member of the Senior Management team and provide advice and support to the Country Representative on operational
• Develop the annual workplan for the Operations Team and oversee its implementation and monitoring;
• Participate in review meetings and assess the managerial and operational capacities of implementing partners in collaboration with the programme and technical team;
• Manage business process mapping and establish internal standard operating procedures in all areas of the Operations Team’s functions;
• Manage the implementation of corporate, budget, financial, procurement, and HR policies and systems and ensure adequate training of staff and project personnel on these issues;
• Ensure a continuous and up-to-date flow of information between the CO and RO and HQ;
• Oversee all operations activities, including finance, human resources, procurement, transport, IT, security, 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.

2. Oversee planning, expenditure tracking and auditing of financial resources

• Ensure strategic and efficient management of office and programme financial resources;
• Exercise proper financial controls;
• Report locally and to HQ on established structures; seek advice from RO when deviations may be necessary;
• Review and take corrective action as appropriate on audit findings;
• Perform Manager Level 2 role in ATLAS for voucher and Purchase Order (PO) approvals;
• Ensure the CO ‘s compliance with Internal Control Framework, Delegation of Authority and segregation of duties and responsibilities

3. Oversee/Provide Human Resources services to the UN Women Moldova Country Office

• Oversee recruitment processes; liaise with the RO/HQ and service providers as necessary;
• Oversee contracts; advise on appropriate contract modalities

4. Oversee procurement processes

• Manage the provision of goods and services for the CO 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;
• Manage the preparation of procurement plans in the CO;
• Participate/chair in local Procurement Review Committees (PRC);
• Manage CO assets and liabilities and ensure proper inventory control

5. Oversee information and communications technology (ICT) management

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

6. Serve as the focal point for security issues and ensure safety and security of staff

• Brief supervisor and staff on security matters and disseminate relevant information as advised by UNDSS, brief UN Women visitors on security;
• Ensure full compliance with MOSS and MORSS procedures on security of staff and office premises;
• Ensure that personnel request appropriate security clearance for travel;
• Liaise with HQ-based Security Advisor or his/her designated staff member on all security matters;
• Develop and maintain Business Continuity Plan

7. 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 ;
• Liaise with UNDP and other UN agencies on operational issues, activities, and other UN agencies on operational issues, activities, and collaboration

8. Contribute to knowledge sharing between the UN Women Moldova Country Office and ECA RO

• Ensure knowledge is shared and adequately applied between the COs and ECA RO in the region.

Competencies

Core Values:

• Respect for Diversity
• Integrity
• Professionalism

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues
• Accountability
• Creative Problem Solving
• Effective Communication
• Inclusive Collaboration
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Leading by Example

 Functional Competencies

• Strong knowledge of operation, finance, procurement, human resources, ICT, and security systems and processes, particularly in the UN system is an asset;
• Ability to provide advice and support;
• Ability to lead formulation and monitoring of management projects;
• Ability to lead business processes re-engineering, implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change;
• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Models and promotes transparency, honesty and openness;
• Leads teams effectively, demonstrating emotional intelligence and good Good mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
• Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective;
• Demonstrate a respect for confidentiality when dealing with individual staff members issues;
• Good negotiating skills;
• Strong IT skills.

Required Skills and Experience

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 5 years of progressively responsible experience at the national or international level, in office management, operations or finance;
• Experience in leading a team;
• 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 setting priorities, budgets, work plans, participating in programme development and programme writing is an advantage.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English, Romanian and Russian is required

Working knowledge of one or more additional languages relevant for Moldova, including Bulgarian, Gagauzian, Romani, Ukrainian or sign language would be an asset.

Application Process:

This is a local position; therefore only citizens of the Republic of Moldova are eligible to apply. Applications should be submitted on line and include fully completed https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/UN-Women-P11-Personal-History-Form.doc as attachment instead of CV/resume.

Failure to disclose prior employment or making false representations on this form will be grounds for withdrawal of further consideration of his/her application or termination, where the appointment or contract has been issued.

Note:

The system will only allow one attachment, hence all supporting document e.g. P11, CV and Cover letter must be scanned as one attachment.  Only qualified, shortlisted candidates will be contacted for test and interview.

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.