Chief Operating Officer

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale. 

Roll Back Malaria Partnership is hosted by UNOPS in Geneva, Switzerland.

The past fifteen years have seen tremendous gains in reducing the burden of disease and progressing towards malaria elimination. Between 2000 and 2015, global malaria incidence fell by 37 percent and mortality rates by 60 percent. Over 6.2 million deaths were averted, primarily among children less than five years of age. Expansions in financing, strong political commitments, novel diagnostic and preventative measures, and multi-sectoral co-ordination have facilitated this progress. Since 1998, the Roll Back Malaria Partnership (RBM) has been central to the global fight against malaria. It has been essential to mobilizing these unprecedented resources and scaled up innovative interventions and to put the world on to a path of eliminating malaria.

Despite these gains, malaria still poses a significant threat to public health and sustainable development. In 2015, there were an estimated 214 million cases. Malaria continues to affect the poorest and most marginalized disproportionately, and restricts human development and poverty alleviation. As much as 80 percent of malaria deaths occur in just fifteen countries, primarily in Africa.

General
Assist the CEO with the day-to-day operational management of the RBM management team.
Contribute to a sound, robust and effective financial management of the RBM Partnership.
In coordination with UNOPS undertakes or oversees the administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of Information Systems and operations, including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance.
Responsible for the measurement and effectiveness of all internal and external processes evaluating performance by analyzing and interpreting data and metrics.
Provides to the CEO, Board and stakeholders, timely, accurate and complete reports on the operating position of RBM.
Support the CEO, Board Leadership, and Advocacy Resource Mobilization Partner Committee (ARMPC) with the development of budgets for funding proposals as directed.
Collaborate with UNOPS and the management team to develop and implement plans for the operational infrastructure of systems, processes, and personnel designed to advance the objectives of RBM.

Leadership
Assist the CEO in developing and overseeing the long-term organizational strategies of RBM.
Assist the CEO in establishing and sustaining appropriate organizational structures.
As requested by the CEO and the RBM Board, attend meetings of the RBM Board and its Committees and present the information necessary or relevant for discharging its duties.

Financial Management
Lead on the preparation of budgets for RBM and its programmes.
Provide regular reports on expenditure and funding compared to Budget and Forecast.
Provide regular reports on programme and workplan performance.
Provide support to the RBM Board Finance, Risk and Audit Committee in finance, risk, and audit matters.  Support the CEO, Board Leadership, and Advocacy Resource Mobilization Partner Committee (ARMPC) with the development of budgets for funding proposals as directed.

Operations
Assist the CEO with the oversight of the day-to-day operations of the RBM Management Team, including administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of Information Systems, equipment and operations working with UNOPS personnel as required.
Develop, in collaboration with the CEO, an annual operating plan that supports RBM’s long term operations strategy including infrastructure of systems, processes, and personnel.
Keep the CEO fully informed in a timely and candid manner of the conduct of the day-today operations of the RBM Management Team towards the achievement of its established goals and objectives.
Maintain a positive and ethical work climate that is conducive to attracting, retaining, and motivating a diverse group of top-quality staff at all levels.

Planning and Evaluation 
Support the RBM Partner Committees and PCCT in the development of coordinated work plans and budgets. Evaluate the performance of Partner Committees workplans including the identification and review of appropriate Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
Identify, assess, and manage the principal risks of RBM (proposals, projects, and staffing).

Other
Within the delegation of authority, to oversee and manage the work of assigned staff, distributing assignments to facilitate smooth and effective use of human and financial resources; training, motivating and coaching staff, as well as evaluating performance, facilitating career development.
Facilitate information-sharing, effective communication and collaboration across the RBM Partnership, as well as existing and prospective partners.
To perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required.

Professionalism: Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis. Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Planning and Organizing : Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Communication: Strong interpersonal and communication skills (spoken/written), including the ability to listen to and incorporate the views of stakeholders; ability to communicate clearly and effectively (both verbally and in written); ability to tailor language, tone, style and format to match the audience.

Team work: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

Advanced University degree in Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics or related field OR Bachelor’s Degree and 2 additional years of relevant working experience is required.

Essential:
Minimum 7 Years of progressively responsible experience in operations management (administration, accounting, financial management, procurement) preferably at a senior level in an international organization is required.  Of which minimum 1 year of UN working experience is required.

Desirable:  

Practical experience with UN financial management procedures, with special emphasis on planning, budgeting, procurement, and financial management.

Experience in UN human resources management/personnel administration procedures.

Experience in UN procurement and stock management systems.

Fluent English is required. Working knowledge of French is desired.

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

APPLICANTS SHOULD INCLUDE A MOTIVATION LETTER WITH THEIR APPLICATIONS.