Support Services Manager

The Support Services Manager leads and innovates in financial management and support services within UNOPS projects in Uzbekistan. The role involves managing financial processes, adapting policies to local needs, supervising a team, and ensuring compliance and optimal resource utilization in a dynamic operational environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide authoritative advice to project teams and stakeholders on UNOPS financial policies, operational directives, instructions, procedures, and compliance requirements.
• Manage advance payments to projects and vendors, ensuring oversight, timely reconciliation, and compliance with UNOPS financial guidelines.
• Oversee financial contract management processes, ensuring monitoring and fulfillment of financial terms, payment milestones, and contractual obligations.
• Monitor and mitigate financial risks related to payments for civil works, infrastructure projects, and high-value procurement.
• Oversee financial reporting ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and adherence to audit standards.
• Implement and adapt financial control mechanisms to safeguard assets and ensure proper fund utilization.
• Solve complex financial problems and discrepancies by applying UNOPS regulatory frameworks and operational guidelines.
• Manage audit activities including planning, preparation, coordination, and follow-up on audit observations and recommendations.
• Lead implementation and continuous improvement of support service processes including procurement, logistics, asset management, and administration.
• Adapt operational policies to local constraints and project needs ensuring compliance with UNOPS governance standards.
• Supervise delivery of comprehensive support services ensuring quality, timeliness, and client satisfaction.
• Manage a portfolio of support services activities ensuring integration with UNOPS project delivery.
• Liaise with vendors to maintain relationships and ensure service delivery and compliance.
• Represent support services function in internal and external meetings providing expert input and recommendations.
• Ensure effective communication and coordination with AUMCO support services team, headquarters units, and regional offices.
• Supervise a team of support staff and junior professionals fostering accountability and professional development.
• Provide guidance and mentorship on financial management and support services best practices.
• Lead knowledge sharing and capacity building initiatives within the support services team.
• Contribute to innovation and best practice approaches in office support services.
• Disseminate best practices and lessons learned for corporate development and knowledge building.
• Plan and organize strategic capacity building of project personnel, clients, and stakeholders as requested.

Requirements

• PhD OR Master's degree (or equivalent) with 5 years of relevant experience is required OR Technical/Professional license with 6 years of relevant experience OR Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any of the above or related fields with 7 years of relevant experience
• A globally or nationally recognized professional certificate in financial management (e.g. ACCA, CPA, CIMA) is desired.
• Relevant experience is work in financial management, accounting, administrative support services or related areas.
• Experience in managing projects or programs independently within existing frameworks.
• Experience in supervising a team of support staff and/or junior professional personnel.
• Experience working in an international organization or a complex multi-country environment is desired.
• Experience with ERP systems (e.g. SAP, Oracle) is desired.
• Fluent English is required.
• Fluent Russian is desirable.
• Fluent Uzbek is desirable.

Skills

• Finance Management
• Accounting
• Administrative Services
• Project Management
• Programme Management
• Team Supervision
• ERP Systems
• SAP
• Oracle
• Policy Adaptation
• Compliance Management
• Resource Utilization
• Financial Reporting
• Budget Management

Languages

English, Russian, Uzbek