Operations Associate [Open to internal and external applicants]

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

The Central African region is home to the second largest tropical rainforest in the world, is sucking out about 1.5 billion tons of CO2 of the atmosphere or 4% of the world’s emissions every year and provides a habitat to more than 10,000 plant and animal species. Forest loss is accelerating despite ongoing efforts, as government action alone has not been enough to establish an effective balance between the interests of the forest and of economic development. On this basis, a coalition of donors – the European Union, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Kingdom of Norway, the Republic of France, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Republic of Korea – together with Central African partner countries – Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of Cameroon, the Republic of Congo, the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, and the Republic of Gabon – have decided to enter into a collaborative partnership to establish the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI).

CAFI’s objective is to recognize and preserve the value of the forests in the region to mitigate climate change, reduce poverty, and contribute to sustainable development. This objective will be attained through the implementation of country-led, national scale REDD+ and Low Emissions Development (LED) investment frameworks that include policy reforms and measures to address the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation and promote sustainable development. The CAFI Trust Fund is the principal means to implement the Central African Forest Initiative. It is administered by the MPTF-O, that also provides the Secretariat services.

Reporting to the Management Specialist, the Operations Associate is responsible for supporting CAFI Fund Secretariat operations in coordination across the CAFI Operations Unit and in collaboration with the MPTFO Office, within a variety of administrative processes ensuring high quality and accuracy of work, enabling continuous of operational services.

• Provide day-to-day administrative support to office operations.
• Maintain operational records, files, databases, and documentation.
• Monitor office supplies and coordinate replenishment.
• Support office space management and facilities-related activities.
• Assist in organizing meetings, workshops, conferences, and events.

• Assist in procurement processes (Geneva Office only) in accordance with UNDP policies and procedures and within MPTFO delegated of authority.
• Prepare e-requisition requests and maintain procurement documentation.
• Track orders and deliveries and liaise with vendors.
• Serve as Focal Point on inventories and update inventory records in coordination with MPTFO team.
• Support regular physical asset verification exercises in coordination with MPTFO team and respective CAFI Geneva based personnel.

• Arrange official travel, including transportation, accommodation, and related logistics for CAFI Geneva based personnel.
• Prepare travel authorizations and supporting documentation
• Monitor travel expenditures and assist with travel claims processing.
• Coordinate shipment and receipt of goods and equipment as required.

• Assist in processing payments, invoices, and reimbursement requests.
• Verify supporting documentation for financial transactions.
• Support, in collaboration with the Management Specialist, in monitoring budgets and in preparing related reports.

• Coordinate with hiring managers on contract validity dates and service delivery schedules and timely submission of payments requests.
• Support contract management and documentation processes.

• Compile operational statistics and information for reports.
• Maintain accurate databases and tracking systems.
• Generate routine reports and summaries for management review.
• Ensure data accuracy and confidentiality.
• Assist in implementing operational risk management and internal control measures.
• Promote efficient and transparent operational practices.

• Organize training for operations and project staff. 
• Synthesize lessons learned and best practices in procurement. 
• Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

The Operations Associate will report to the Management Specialist in Geneva.

Core Competencies:

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements 
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination 

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies:

• Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome.
• Ability to make good judgments and quick decisions within such frameworks.
• Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization.

• Identify and seize opportunities to service and add value to clients, create clarity around UNDP value proposition to beneficiaries and partners, develop clear service offers responding to client needs in line with UNDP’s organizational priorities and mandate.

• Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.
• Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches.
• Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.

• Ability to allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical way in line with business needs and priorities and principles of accountability and integrity.

• Ability to effectively plan, organise and oversee different parts of corporate operations, simultaneously and in an integrated way, in order to convert the organisation’s assets into the best results in the most efficient way.
• Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms.

• Knowledge of contract management concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations

Education:

• Secondary education is required  
• A university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in Administration, Finance, Accounting, Human Resources Management or equivalent will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement. 
• CIPS level 3 is highly desirable for this position and candidates holding this level at the time of application will have a distinct advantage. If the desired certification is not available at the time of recruitment, it should be obtained within one year of recruitment. Candidates holding a CIPS certification at any level below at the time of application will have a proportionate advantage.

Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years (with high school diploma) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant work experience in delivering operational services at multinational level is required.
• Four years of experience with different administrative and operational areas including human resources, finance, procurement, and office administration is required.
• Experience with delivering operational support services in the United Nations System is required, 
• Solid experience in coordinating travel requests and related logistic services is required.
• Working expertise of ERP systems and related platforms is desirable.
• Experience in result-based management reporting is an asset.

Language:

• Fluency in English and French is required.

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

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