Operations Specialist [Open for Tier 1 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 nexus of security-humanitarian-development issues around Lake Chad has given rise to an intractable extremist insurgency that has left tens of thousands of people dead, approximately 2.5 million displaced, and more than 10 million people in the region affected and in need. While robust national and multi-national military operations have re-taken territory previously controlled by Boko Haram, UNDP recognizes that a new approach is required to consolidate these gains and establish the conditions necessary to transition from military to civilian responsibility for security, and from the provision of humanitarian assistance to the resumption of stalled development processes.  In this context, the UNDP Regional Stabilization Facility is intended to provide a new approach, calibrated to respond to the need for a step-change in the scale and nature of intervention, improvement in speed of response, increased territorial coverage, and improved regional cooperation.

The UNDP Stabilization Facility aims to enhance civil-military cooperation to design and implement Joint Action Plans for the immediate stabilization of specific target areas, to increase security and the rule of law as well as provide infrastructure, basic services and livelihood opportunities as a rapid-response package. The Facility will underwrite the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) and the African Union implementation of the LCBC Regional Stabilization Strategy, strengthening coherence and coordination of response to the Lake Chad crisis, and establishing the mechanism and process required to operationalise the New Way of Working and a transition from provision of humanitarian assistance to development and resilience. 

The Stabilization Facility Service Centre in Nigeria, established under the UNDP Regional Stabilization Facility, aims to ensure that immediate national stabilization efforts are well targeted, calibrated and fully owned by relevant stakeholders; and is set-up to provide the dedicated operational support necessary for timely implementation.

Reporting Structure and Partners

The Stabilization Facility Service Centre is composed of finance, procurement, human resources and project management /administration functions, led by the Operations Specialist with delegated authority as Manager Level 2 in the UNDP Nigeria office.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration. 

The Operations Specialist will lead the operations of the UNDP Stabilization Facility Service Centre Nigeria under the direct supervision of the Head of Stabilization and matrix reporting to DRR-O, ensure full compliance with the Internal Control Framework and UNDP rules and regulations.

The Operations Specialist will be responsible and contribute directly to the effective and efficient operations of the UNDP Stabilization Facility Service Centre Nigeria. He/she will liaise directly with the relevant staff to ensure coordination of delivery as appropriate. To this extent the Operations Specialist will be responsible for the following functions:

Ensure Oversight of operations of the Facility Service Centre implementation for optimization of delivery:

• →Develops appropriate tools to deliver on operational services within the required time frame.
• →Sets up appropriate monitoring system(s) in order to excel in client orientation and ensure timely delivery of results in accordance with the established work plan.
• →Ensures frequent communication with programme staff, as main clients, on progress with respect to service requests.
• →Operates at Manager level 2 approval level in Quantum.
• →Identifies bottlenecks and operational solutions to operational obstacles.
• →Oversees operations (procurement, human resources, finance, logistics, administration etc.) processes to ensure that they are performed consistently and in accordance with the corporate standards.
• →Performs the function of Audit focal point for the Service Centre
• →Collaborates closely with respective Operations Units of UNDP Nigeria CO as relevant.

Oversee application of operational policies for operations support pertaining to project implementation and management 

• →Works closely with the relevant Regional Stabilization Facility Nigeria staff to develop sound operational and procurement work plans/budgets and implementation plans, which match expected outputs.
• →Clears agreements for working with partners, before signature by Senior Management of the Country Office.
• →Reviews operational policies and advises on policies and SOPs which will ensure accountability and speed of implementation, with high client satisfaction.
• →Oversees effective delivery of client-oriented administrative support to UNDP staff and project personnel on human resources, procurement, finance, logistics, administration and transactional issues.

Ensure Effective and accurate financial resource and efficient procurement management

• →Implements effective internal controls such as maintenance of the internal expenditures control system, financial recording/reporting system.
• →Ensures proper planning and expenditure tracking of financial resources and monitoring of financial delivery against work plans and preparation of relevant periodic reports.
• →Prepares procurement strategies including sourcing strategy, supplier selection and evaluation, and quality management in line with UNDP rules and regulations.
• →Reviews terms of reference to ensure the quality of inputs to be procured.
• →Prepares annual procurement plans, with an indicative list of goods and services as identified in the annual work plan, in collaboration with the procurement team. Proper management of assets and timely handover where required.
• →As part of a longer-term capacity building strategy, builds the capacity of counterparts and Service Centre national staff.

Ensure Strategic human resource management

• →Prepares timely recruitment strategies and elaborates job descriptions for required staffing in line with UNDP rules and regulations.
• →Supports recruitment processes and works closely with the HR unit of the UNDP Nigeria office to ensure timely recruitment of Regional Stabilization Facility Nigeria staff.
• →Ensures overall management of administrative issues with administration officer of the Service Centre.

Ensure other tasks related to operations management and lead knowledge building and sharing

• →Provide support to staff capacity development as requested.
• →Participate in Task Forces and other ad-hoc internal working groups as requested.
• →Perform any other tasks as required by the Head of Stabilization and/or Deputy Resident Representative-Operations.
• →Leads processes to facilitate and promote staff learning and engagement.

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

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: Supervises Service Centre/Operations staff 

Core Competencies

Achieve Results - LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact 
Think Innovatively - LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems 
Learn Continuously - LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility - LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands 
Act with Determination - LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner - LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion - LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

People Management

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site. 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Partnership Management - Relationship Management:  Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust, and mutual understanding.
Business Direction & Strategy - System Thinking:  Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.
Business Management - Portfolio Management:  Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization's programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity. Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management
Business Management - Risk Management:  Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks
Business Management - Results-based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus on improved performance and demonstrable results.
Business Development - Knowledge Generation:  Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.
Business Management - Communication:  Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

Education:

• Advanced University Degree (Masters or equivalent) in Business Administration, Operations Management, Procurement, Social Sciences, International Development, Economics or related fields. Or
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) relevant work experience, at least 5 of which involve similar senior experience of operational management of projects or programmes.
• At least 2 years of relevant experience in crisis/post conflict countries is required? 
• Experience of sustaining high level professional relations with Government officials is desired  .
• Substantive project operational management experience, including detailed working knowledge of human resources, procurement, ICT, finance, project management, asset management and logistics is required
• Extensive expertise in procurement is of specific importance is desired.
• A sound track record of experience in an international setting with the UN or with international organisations, or similar context is desired.
• Experience in the Africa region is an advantage.
• Good knowledge of UNDP ERP system (Quantum) is desirable.
• Practical familiarity with UNDP project management principles and practices is desired

Language:

• Fluency in English.

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. 

For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

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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