Chief of Operations
Organizational Context
UNICEF operates in over 190 countries, dedicated to saving children's lives, defending their rights, and helping them fulfill their potential. We are committed, passionate, and proud of our work, offering diverse opportunities for professional and personal development in a culture that values belonging and growth.
Job Purpose
The Chief of Operations serves as a strategic business partner within the Division’s Management Team, ensuring the effective and efficient stewardship of resources across a geographically dispersed structure. This role enables the Division to achieve global advocacy, communication, and engagement priorities by providing integrated advice and services in finance, HR, administration, facilities, supply, ICT, risk management, governance, and business continuity. The incumbent will lead for results, drive change, provide risk-informed, solution-focused analysis, and contribute to programme and management decisions to deliver results for children in all operational contexts.
Responsibilities
The Chief of Operations will lead for results, drive change, and provide risk-informed, solution-focused analysis, advice, and services. They will contribute to programme and management decisions for delivering results for children in all operational contexts. This role involves providing integrated operational analysis, coordinating cross-functional priorities, supporting strategic planning processes, and facilitating the implementation of senior management decisions across DGCA duty stations. Key focus areas include Valuing People, Valuing Money, Valuing Risk Management, Valuing Systems and Structures, Strategic Office Management and Coordination, and Valuing Partners. The incumbent will be responsible for advanced financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis; operational leadership and strategic business partnering; risk management, internal controls, and compliance oversight; management reporting, performance analytics, and dashboard development; and organizational planning, process improvement, and operational efficiency.
Work Experience
At least 8 years of relevant work experience at national and international levels, specifically in implementing strategic organizational initiatives in areas like budget, financial management and reporting, facilities management, administration, supply and logistics, and human resources.
Skills
Advanced financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis, Operational leadership and strategic business partnering, Risk management, internal controls, and compliance oversight, Management reporting, performance analytics, and dashboard development, Organizational planning, process improvement, and operational efficiency, Experience with ERP-based financial and administrative systems (e.g., SAP, VISION, Workday, Oracle), Results-Based Management (RBM), Advanced Microsoft Office skills (Excel, PowerPoint), Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, Experience supporting senior leadership teams, Experience leading operations across geographically dispersed teams, Experience with IPSAS