Operations Manager (Open to internal and external applicants)

Tiered Approach

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.

Background

TheUNDPSouthAfricaCountryOfficewillimplement itsCountryProgramfortheperiodthrough two complementary program portfolios designed as the main pathways for transformative change. The first portfolio focuses oninclusiveeconomy and governancetransformation integratingwealthcreation economic transformation and economic governance as mutually reinforcing drivers of inclusive development with economic governance positioned as a core enabling function across the portfolio.

The second portfolio focuses on climate action natural wealth and resilience leveraging South Africas biodiversity minerals and energy assets to advance sustainable growth through climate finance naturebased solutions ecological infrastructure and justtransition measures.

Theprogramarchitectureappliesasystemsapproachtoensurestrategiccoherenceadaptivemanagementand the mobilization of blended finance across interconnected interventions. Implementation across both portfolios relies on partnerships innovative financing mechanisms digital solutions and adaptive management placing strongdemands on a modern efficient and businessoriented operations platform.

Operation unit is therefore expected to function as a highperforming service and business unit informed by robust operational intelligence and analystics capable of identifying effeciencies and opportunities delivering qualityservicesat scale enabling common and shared services supporting interagency collaboration and contributing to the financial sustainability and resilience of the Country Office over the CPD period.

Position Purpose

Under the overall guidance of the Resident Representative (RR) and direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative(DRR) theOperations Manager leads and manages the Country Office operations platform to ensure efficient service delivery financial sustainability and client satisfaction. The role is responsible for operational performance service quality cost management revenue generation and people leadership ensuring that operations function as a netpositive businessminded unit. The Operations Manager provides business intelligence analytics and operational insights to senior management and Programme team to support evidencebased decisionmaking without assuming programme delivery CPD ownership or compliance governance responsibilities. The Operations Manager further represents the Country Office in the UN inter agency bodies leading the service offer and business development across the UN system and with external partners.

Key Duties and Accountabilities

1. OperationalAdvisoryServicestoCOManagement:

• EnsurefullcomplianceofoperationswithUN/UNDPrulesregulationspoliciesandInternal Control Framework (ICF);
• Providedatadrivenoperationaladviceandinsightstoseniormanagement;
• Developandusebusinessintelligencedashboardsandanalyticstoidentifytrendsbottlenecks and efficiency gains;
• Analyzecoststructuresserviceutilizationandturnaroundtimes;
• ApplydigitalsolutionsautomationandAIenabledtoolstoenhancedecisionsupport;
• Identifyoperationalandbusinessopportunitiestooptimizeservicedelivery.

2. ProcurementandAssetManagement:

• Leadprocurementservicesensuringefficiencyandvalueformoney;
• Applyprocurementanalyticsandsupplierperformancedata;
• Overseelifecyclebasedassetplanningutilizationanddisposal;
• Guideprocurementunitinprovidingprocurementsolutionsalignedwithclientsneeds.

3. FinanceManagementandFinancialSustainability:

• Managefinanceasabusinessenablersupportingsustainability;
• Ensurestrongcostcontrolforecastingandbudgetdiscipline;
• Drivenetpositiveperformancecostrecoveryandreservebuilding;
• Usefinancialmodellingtoinformpricingandserviceoffers;
• ConductfinancialoversightandcomplianceovertheFinanceunit ensuringfinancialdata integrity for UNDP and external clients.

4. InformationandCommunicationManagementandSupervisionofICT Team:

• EnsureERPfunctionalityisusedforimprovedbusinessresultsandimprovedclientservices;
• Identifyopportunitiesandwaysof convertingbusinessprocessesintoweb-basedsystemsto address the issues of efficiency and full accountability;
• MaintainasecurereliableinfrastructureenvironmentforICTandadequateplanningfordisasters and recoveries. Update the ICT Disaster Recovery Plan on a regular basis;
• Identify and promote different systems and applications for optimal content management knowledgesharinginformationprovisionandlearningincludinge-registryandweb-basedoffice management system etc.

5. HumanResourcesManagementandPeopleLeadership:

• EnsureCOcompliancewithcorporatehumanresourcespoliciesandstrategies;
• Adviseonoptimalstaffingoftheofficeandprojects;
• Leadmanageanddevelopoperationsstaff;
• UseHRanalyticstoimproveworkforceproductivity;
• Strengthenteamconnectivityandendtoendservicedelivery;
• Promoteaccountabilityteamworkclientorientationlearningandinnovation.

6. AdministrationandLogistics:

• Overseefacilitieslogisticstravelandadministrativeservices;
• Improveefficiencythroughprocessoptimizationanddigitalization;
• Ensurebusinesscontinuityandoperationalreadiness.

7. Ensureforward-lookinginformationandcommunicationmanagementandsupervisionofICTteam:

• EnsureERPfunctionalityisusedforimprovedbusinessresultsandimprovedclientservices;
• Identify opportunities and ways of converting business processes into web-based systems to address the issues of efficiency and full accountability;
• Maintain a secure reliable infrastructure environment for ICT and adequate planning for disasters and recoveries. Update the ICT Disaster Recovery Plan regularly;
• Identify and promote different systems and applications for optimal content management knowledge sharing information provision and learning including e-registry and web-based office management system etc.

8. CommonServicesandInterAgency/ExternalSupport:

• Developandmanagecommonandsharedservices;
• PositiontheCOasaserviceproviderforUNagenciesandpartners;
• Designcostingmodelsservicestandardsandperformancemonitoring;
• Supportrevenuegenerationandsustainability.

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

Supervisory/ManagerialResponsibilities:SuperviseandmanageUNDPCountryOfficeoperationsstaff.

Competencies

People Management

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found on the dedicatedsite.

Cross-Functional/Technical competencies

Business Direction & Strategy

• Systems Thinking

  • Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overallprocessorsystemandtoconsiderhowalteringone element can impact on other parts of the system.

• Strategic Thinking

  • Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDPs objectives based on the systemic analysis of challenges potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground andcreatingtangiblesolutions;
  • Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresightinordertomodelwhatfuturedevelopmentsand possible ways forward look like for UNDP.

Business Management

• ResourceManagement

  • Abilitytoallocateanduseresourcesinastrategicortactical way in line with principles of accountability and integrity.

• PortfolioManagement

  • Ability to select prioritize and control the organizations program and projects in line with its strategic objectives andcapacity;abilitytobalancetheimplementationofchange initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual while optimizing return on investment.

• Customer Satisfaction/Client Management

  • Ability to respond timely and appropriately with sense of urgency provide consistent solutions and deliver timelyand quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customer needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients immediate requests;
  • Abilitytoanticipateclientsupcomingneedsandconcerns.
• Risk Management
  • Abilitytoidentifyandorganizeactionaroundmitigatingand proactively manage risks.

Procurement

• Procurement Management

  • Theabilitytoacquiregoodsservicesorworksfroman outside external source.

Finance

• Accounting(General)

  • Knowledgeofaccountingconceptsprinciplesframeworks standards regulations policies and trends and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• Advanced university degree (masters degree or equivalent) in Business Administration Finance Management Economics or a related field is required. or;
• A first-level university degree (bachelors degree) in the above fields in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience Knowledge and Skills

• Minimum of 5 years (with masters degree) or 7 years (with bachelors degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services and/or managing institutional operational systems;
• Solidexperienceinleading/supervisingdiverseteamsandmanagingcross-functional operational units including Finance Procurement administration and Human Resources teams is required;
• ExperienceandprovenknowledgeofaccrualaccountingIPSASorIFRSisrequired;
• Proven ability to design and implement operational systems including SOPs process improvement initiatives internal control mechanisms and client-oriented service delivery systems is highly desired;
• Demonstrated experience in applying digital toolsanalytics and automation to improve service delivery andperformance is highly desired;
• Experienceindevelopingandgeneratingbusinessintelligencecarryingoutdataanalyticstoinformsenior-level decision making and performance improvement;
• Track record of managing operations in complex institutional environments including coordination with internal and external stakeholders;
• Experienceintheuseofcomputersofficesoftwarepackages(MSWordExceletc.)andweb-based management systems such as ERP is required.

Required Language(s)

• FluencyinEnglishrequired;
• Fluencyinthenationallanguageofthedutystationisrequiredforlocalstaff(.).

Equal opportunity

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.

Sexual harassment exploitation and abuse of authority

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.

Probation

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.

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

Use of AI by candidates

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

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