Senior Operations Officer

The incumbent will provide guidance to the head of the WHO country office and oversee the delivery of efficient, effective and timely operational services for the WHO country office. This includes financial and human resources management, procurement, information and communications technology (ICT), security and general administration, in compliance with organizational policies, regulations and procedures. The role holder proposes methods and adjustments to processes that respond to changes in the operating environment, in particular in emergency settings.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The incumbent will perform the following, and other related responsibilities as required by the needs of the office:

• Provide authoritative advice to the head of the WHO country office and other staff at the country office, field offices and projects on all aspects of country office operations, interpreting policies, systems and procedures and ensuring compliance.
• Lead, empower, and manage staff and operations teams in delivering the full range of services in budget and finance, human resources, procurement, information and communication technologies, security and staff safety, and general administration, in compliance with organizational policies, regulations and procedures.
• Provide appropriate solutions grounded in sound policy compliance and creative responsiveness to business needs. As a key member of the management team, provide strategic advice on the overall direction of the WHO country office.
• Ensure effective and accurate financial resources management including proper planning and monitoring of income and expenditures, reconciliation and reporting of accounts, budget preparation and management, and optimal award and cash management.
• Guide in the formulation, negotiation, and consultation of project proposals funded by external agencies, ensuring their adherence to the Organization’s administrative and financial rules and regulations
• Advise the head of the country office on and oversee the formulation and implementation of the country office Human Resources (HR) plans, ensuring the timely availability through recruitment and contract management, engagement, retention, performance management, development, career management, gender balance and diversity of a suitable human resource capability.
• Guide in the planning process with focus on administrative/budgetary related policies and procedures and be responsible for management and implementation of WHO country office workplans, including reporting as required.
• Lead on the procurement of goods and services required for management of country office and support to technical programs, ensuring best value for money in procurement practices.
• Ensure the provision of office and staff security and safety services in coordination with designated security officials under UN Common services’ agreements.
• In emergency settings, plan, recommend and implement systems, norms and procedures, in compliance with existing policies and standard operating procedures, for the administration monitoring, control and evaluation of human, financial and material resources processes within the incident management system.
• Advise the WHO country office on internal operational and administrative risks to the country office and propose risk mitigation measures.
• Introduce innovations for improved efficiencies and effectiveness in WHO country office performance in operations, responsive to emergency situations and changes in the operating environment.
• Coordinate with the Business Operations network to harmonize business processes, workflows, standards, business continuity planning and technical requirements                                               
• Represent the WHO country office and participate actively in the UN operations management team and other Inter-Agency coordinating Mechanisms, sharing relevant information with colleagues and ensuring implementation of decisions taken by the heads of the agencies.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Essential: Advanced university degree (master’s) in finance, management, accountancy, economics, or business administration or equivalent areas.
• Desirable: A university degree (bachelor’s) or training or certification in human resources, accounting, finance, monitoring and evaluation.

Experience

• Essentials: A minimum of ten years of work experience relevant for the position (delivering administrative and managerial services, ensuring compliance with complex rules and procedures in both national and international settings). A minimum of four years of experience in managing and leading staff/teams.
• Desirables: Relevant experience with WHO, United Nations funds and programmes, or equivalent organizations. Experience delivering operational services in a developing country. Experience managing operations and large teams in an emergency context. Good knowledge of programme management and end-to-end business processes. Good knowledge of enterprise resource planning systems.

Functional Knowledge and Skills

• Thorough knowledge of administrative, financial and management principles, procedures, and policies of large international public-sector organizations.
• Expertise in the principles and practices of administration, programme and project management
• High-level managerial and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze financial data and develop related business strategies and/or policies
• Provide recommendations on key administrative issues.
• Ability to lead, direct and manage an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to represent the organization, build alliances, and negotiate with government, UN agencies and other development partners.
• Ability to cultivate partnerships and maintain excellent interpersonal working relations
• Ability to work with competing priorities under pressure.

Source: https://careers.who.int/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=2310826