Operations Associate (INTERNAL VACANCY)

Since 2010, the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement has inspired a new way of working collaboratively to end malnutrition, in all its forms. With the governments of SUN Countries in the lead, it unites people—from civil society, the United Nations, donors, businesses and researchers—in a collective effort to improve nutrition. The SUN Strategy 2021–2025 (SUN 3.0) prioritises country leadership and focuses on supporting systemic change at the country level. It seeks to capture the ambition of SUN countries and guide the work of all actors at all levels aligning concerted action behind and responding to commonly agreed national priorities set out by governments in SUN countries. 

SUN 3.0 is committed to fundamental, non-negotiable aspects of effective nutrition action, including equity and the principle of leaving no one behind. For its third phase, the SUN Movement will drive forward gender equality and enshrine youth leadership across the Movement.  SUN 3.0 will strengthen partnerships to achieve greater impact on nutrition through food systems, health systems, social protection systems, actions by the private sector and humanitarian and development actors, and through education, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and climate change adaptation.

The SUN Movement Secretariat plays a central role in enabling the multiple members and structures of the Movement to work together to advance progress on country-level priorities and the global positioning of nutrition.  

The SUN Movement Secretariat comprises approximately 35 personnel, based in Geneva and in various regions globally.  All parts of the Movement – member governments, the four SUN networks (Civil Society, United Nations, Business, Donors), the SUN Movement Coordinator and the SUN Movement Secretariat work together to align and focus efforts on priorities within countries.

The SUN Movement Secretariat is hosted by UNOPS.

Role of the Operations Associate

The Operations Associate is part of the SUN Movement Secretariat Operations Team and is responsible for ensuring effective provision of support service for the Secretariat across all aspects of operations (Finance, HR, Procurement, Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE), Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Administration) to ensure achievement of results, whilst driving compliance with corporate strategies, UNOPS rules, regulations, policies, and standards of accountability, ethics and integrity.  

The Operations Associate reports to the Head of Operations and provides a range of implementation support services to ensure rapid and compliant delivery of all aspects of the operations, including administration, procurement, grants, human resources, and finance. 

He/she works in close collaboration with teams across the SMS as well as interfacing with the Support Services function of the UNOPS Geneva Office, UNOPS HQ and other key stakeholders for successful service delivery.

1. Programme management 

• Assist in the design and formulation of the workplan and budget for the SMS, including setting goals, targets and performance standards.

• Support the assessment of expenditure in administration (office premises, assets, travel, etc.) for previous years; estimate new requirements and prepare budget plans.

• Oversee the delivery of internal clients’ services, keeping them informed of the status of SMS activities. 

• Facilitate active interaction with internal clients to solicit feedback and gauge client satisfaction.

• Completion of secondary school is required. 
• First University Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration,] or equivalent disciplines is desirable but not required.
• In the absence of a degree, administrative certification is an asset.

• Minimum of six years of relevant experience in general administrative, logistics, or operations’ support services in national or international public or corporate organizations.
• Some experience in UN system organizations is desirable.
• Proficiency in computers and office software packages (MS Office/Google Workspace and experience in handling web-based management systems is required.
• Experience in use of Enterprise systems is desirable.

•  Fluency in English Language ( Writing, Reading and Speaking) is required.
• Knowledge of another official UNOPS language, particularly French is desirable

Contract type: Fixed-Term Staff Contract
Contract level: ICS 6 / G6
Contract duration: One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability

• 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.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  
• Please note that this is an Internal Vacancy Announcement
• This role is open to SUN Movement Secretariat (SMS) and Pooled Fund team members ONLY

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.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.