Head of Support Services

UNOPS activities in Guatemala have lasted 26 years. We started operations in the country in 1997, and from the beginning, we have always been characterised by intervening in a variety of sectors and projects of varying complexities. From accompanying the peace process following the armed conflict, promoting productive activity in regions of extreme poverty, to modernising the state in terms of reducing infrastructure gaps, procurement, and more recently, supporting efforts in transparency and efficiency of public institutions, in line with the priorities of the government and the well-being of Guatemalans.

As of 2024 the political context is favourable to UN presence in Guatemala, and UNOPS signed the first major project with the new elected government, with a specific focus on the Ministry of Health and Social Assistance of Guatemala (MSPAS), the project aims to collaborate with the enhancement of the various mechanisms of access to medicines, medical equipment, and supplies by implementing alternative procurement channels for up to USD 943M, following the best practices in public procurement and strengthening institutional capabilities. 

UNOPS will support the strategy of the 2024-2028 Government Plan, by implementing institutional strengthening efforts leading to the adoption of a management model for the procurement of medicines and other health supplies, that allows the transition towards the modernization of the country’s medicine procurement system as well as the strengthening of a Fair Public Management approach in the MSPAS.

Functional Responsibilities:

The Role: 

The HoSS is responsible for providing an efficient and integrated support service for the Country Office, dealing on a daily basis with a diverse team of national and international professionals.

Operational Leadership, advisory and technical support:

• As a key leadership role for the Country Office, the Head of Support Services monitors and supervises teams as well as all aspects of operations (Finance, HR, Procurement, Health, safety, security and environmental (HSSE), Information Technology(ICT) and Administration) to ensure achievement of results, whilst driving compliance with corporate strategies, UNOPS rules, regulations, policies, and standards of accountability, ethics and integrity.
• Monitor support services to ensure continuously improving client service and satisfaction, including liaising with appropriate Head Quarters Practice Groups and IPAS for required support.
• Contribute to the formulation of Country Office strategies and policies through advisory services to the Country Office Director.

Project planning and coordination support: 

• Provide assistance and support to programme and project budget preparation, revisions and work planning.
• Provide input into project engagement and acceptance documents including assisting with contract negotiations.
• Provide advice on goal setting, targets and performance standards for projects and recommend tools for monitoring, evaluation and auditing.

Procurement: 

• Oversee and supervise Country Office procurement processes, including tendering processes and evaluation and supplier selection, to ensure viable procurement solutions that meet operational needs and compliance with UNOPS procurement procedures, regulations and standard of accountability, ethics, integrity and performance.
• Evaluate contractual arrangements and legal commitments/risks for appropriate action.
• In consultation with relevant colleagues, review, administer and issue contracts, agreements/amendments with institutions and UN agencies.

Financial and compliance management:

• Prepare the Country Office financial plan and manage the budget process/cycle to ensure timely revisions and reallocation of funds.
• Oversee the Support Services Finance Unit and ensure compliance with the UNOPS/Financial Rules & Regulations and Finance procedures
• Monitor, track and control expenditure to ensure optimum and appropriate use of resources.

Human resource management:

• Plan personnel required for Country Office  programmes/projects.
• Oversee all human resource services/processes including recruitment, salary administration and compensation, performance review, training and development, ensuring compliance with human resource rules, regulations, procedures and standards of performance and ensuring that hiring managers actively seek to create diverse teams in terms of gender and geography.
• Promote and support a learning culture by empowering individuals and teams to identify critical learning needs and plan/provide easy access to learning opportunities to maintain personnel competency and flexibility.

Administration and Information Technology:

• In close collaboration with Headquarters, support maintenance of a secure and reliable ICT environment, including adequate plans for disaster recovery.
• Manage the acquisition, maintenance, inventory, recording, verification and protection of project and administrative facilities/assets, including IT infrastructure, equipment and servers.
• Identify opportunities for leveraging the use of IT to enhance business operations and efficiency and to facilitate knowledge management, and information sharing.

Knowledge management and innovation: 

• Contribute to the development and introduction of innovation to ensure UNOPS is continually incorporating best practice approaches in Country Office  Support Services.
• Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for corporate development planning and knowledge building.
• At the request of the Country Office Director and in collaboration with the team, plan, implement and organise strategic capacity building of project personnel, clients and stakeholders.

Education/Experience/Language requirements:

Education:

• A Master’s Degree in Finance, Business Administration, Economics, Human Resources Management, Procurement or other relevant field is required.
• A Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Business Administration, Economics, Human Resources Management, Procurement or other relevant field in combination with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above

Experience/Requirements:

• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience covering at least two of the following operations functions: Procurement, Finance, Logistics/ Asset Management and Human Resources. Knowledge of the other functions is desirable.
• A minimum of 3 years of leadership experience, including a proven track record managing staff and operational systems is required.
• Some experience in UN system organizations preferably in a developing country is desirable.
• Experience dealing with UN regulations, rules and policies in the areas of contracting, procurement and human resources is desirable.
• Willingness to work in hardship duty stations and/or travel to post crisis locations.

Language Requirements:

• Full working knowledge of English and Spanish is essential.
• Knowledge of another official UNOPS language is an asset.

Source: https://jobs.unops.org/Pages/ViewVacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=28741#3