Operations Specialist

The Operations Specialist provides guidance to the head of the WHO country office and oversees the delivery of efficient, effective, and timely operational services including financial and human resources management, procurement, ICT, security, and general administration. The role involves advising on policies, managing teams, ensuring compliance with organizational procedures, and adapting processes especially in emergency settings.

Responsibilities

• Advise the head of the WHO country office and other staff on all aspects of country office operations, interpreting policies, systems and procedures.
• Provide appropriate solutions grounded in sound policy compliance and responsiveness to business needs.
• Contribute to the overall direction of the WHO country office as a member of the management team.
• Advise on internal operational and administrative risks and propose risk mitigation measures.
• Manage staff and operations teams delivering services in budget and finance, human resources, procurement, ICT, security and staff safety, and general administration.
• Oversee financial resources management including planning, monitoring, reconciliation, reporting, budget preparation and management, and cash management.
• Participate in formulation, negotiation, and consultation of project proposals funded by external agencies ensuring adherence to administrative and financial rules.
• Manage formulation and implementation of the country office human resources plan including recruitment, contract management, engagement, retention, performance management and career development.
• Guide planning process focusing on administrative/budgetary policies and procedures and manage implementation of country office workplans including reporting.
• Manage procurement of goods and services ensuring best value for money.
• Ensure provision of office and staff security and safety services in coordination with designated security officials.
• Introduce innovations and adjustments in methods and processes for improved efficiency and effectiveness, responsive to emergency situations.
• Coordinate with the Business Operations network to harmonize business processes, workflows, standards, business continuity planning and technical requirements.
• Represent WHO in United Nations operations management team and other interagency meetings, share information and ensure implementation of decisions.
• In emergency settings, plan, recommend and implement systems, norms and procedures for administration, monitoring, control and evaluation of resources within the incident management system.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in finance, management, accountancy, public administration, business administration or related field for P3 grade.
• Master's degree in finance, management, accountancy, economics, business administration or related area for P4 grade.
• Desirable: Master's degree in business administration, management, or related field for P3 grade.
• Desirable: Bachelor's degree/training/certification in human resource, accounting, finance, monitoring and evaluation for P4 grade.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience for P3 grade.
• Minimum 7 years of relevant experience for P4 grade.
• Proven relevant international exposure.
• Experience leading and performing wide range of operational and admin services.
• Experience supervising support teams (P3) or teams (P4).
• Desirable: Experience with WHO/United Nations or other international organization.
• Desirable: Good knowledge of programme management and end-to-end business processes.
• Desirable: Experience in project management, ideally in the United Nations system and/or a public health context.
• Desirable: Good knowledge of enterprise resource planning systems.
• Sound knowledge of administrative, financial, and management principles, procedures, and policies of large international public-sector organizations.
• In-depth knowledge of the principles and practices of administration, programme and project management.
• Strong managerial and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated ability to analyse financial data and propose related business strategies or policies.
• Ability to work with competing priorities under pressure.
• Ability to direct and manage an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to represent the organization, and negotiate with government, United Nations agencies and other development partners.
• Ability to maintain and establish excellent interpersonal working relations.
• Expert knowledge of English.
• Proficiency in computers and office software packages, handling of web-based management systems, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and Cloud Management Enterprise System such as Workday.

Skills

• Finance Management
• Human Resources Management
• Project Management
• Programme Management
• Operations Management
• Team Supervision
• Enterprise Resource Planning
• ERP Systems
• Workday
• Administrative Procedures
• Financial Data Analysis
• Business Strategy Development
• Policy Analysis
• Procurement Management
• ICT Management Systems
• Security Management
• Cloud Management Solutions
• Interpersonal Relations
• Negotiation with Partners
• Office Software Proficiency

Languages

English