Head of Support Services

The Head of Support Services reports to the SSOC Director, who provides general guidance and supervision. The role is responsible for providing an efficient and integrated support service for the Operations Centre. The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

Summary of key responsibilities:

1. Advisory and technical support
2. Project planning and coordination support
3. Procurement
4. Financial management
5. Human resource management
6. Administration and Information Technology
7. Knowledge management and innovation

1.     Advisory and technical support

• Contribute to the formulation of SSOC strategies and policies through advisory services to the SSOC Director.
• Provide technical advice and operational guidance on innovative approaches to project financing, risk assessment/mitigation and use of financing structures, mechanisms instruments and guarantees.
• Collaborate with colleagues to identify the need, determine cost and plan all SSOC support services, including procurement, finance, human resources and administrative services.
• Monitor and supervise all aspects of operations to ensure compliance with corporate strategies, UNOPS rules, regulations, policies, and standards of accountability, ethics and integrity and achievement of results.
• Monitor support services to ensure optimum client service and satisfaction, including liaising with appropriate the East Africa Hub (EAH) in Nairobi, and Headquarters Practice Groups for required support.
• At the request of the SSOC Director participate in any UN forum discussions and planning to ensure UNOPS position, interests and priorities are fully considered.
• Act as focal point for any internal/external audit exercise.

2.  Project planning and coordination support

• Provide assistance and support to programme and project budget preparation, revisions and work planning.
• Provide inputs into project engagement and acceptance documents including assisting with contract negotiations.
• Provide advice on goal setting, targets and performance standards for projects and recommend tools for monitoring, evaluation and auditing.
• Monitor project financial projections,  take decisions and/or refer critical issues to the Operations Centre Director and/or other stakeholders for action.
• Provide advice on programme and project cost sharing, deployment of funds and closure.
• Constantly monitor and analyze the operating environment to identify potential risks and take action/refer critical issues for intervention to ensure delivery of results.
• Closely liaise with the Field Offices (within the OC) in order to troubleshoot any issues that might cause interruption in the support services management.

3.     Procurement

• Oversee and supervise SSOC’s procurement processes, including tendering processes and evaluation and supplier selection, to ensure viable procurement solutions that meet operational needs and compliance with UNOPS procurement procedures, regulations and standard of accountability, ethics, integrity and performance.
• Evaluate contractual arrangements and legal commitments/risks for appropriate action.
• Oversee the efficiency and integrity of the procurement evaluation process to ensure cost-effective procurement of goods and services.
• In consultation with relevant colleagues, review, administer and issue contracts, agreements/amendments with institutions and UN agencies.
• Oversee the logistics of goods and equipment on project sites to confirm delivery and safe warehousing.
• Evaluate, list, update and monitor the performance of the roster of service providers of suitable firms or institutions.

4.   Financial management

• In close collaboration with the Budget & Finance Officer, oversee preparation of SSOC financial plan and manage the budget process/cycle to ensure timely revisions and reallocation of funds.
• Oversee Finance Unit and ensure compliance with the UNOPS/Financial Rules & Regulations and Finance procedures.
• Advise on audit priorities, coordinate with the UN Board of External Audit on the annual UNOPS External Audit, follow up on all internal and external audit issues and ensure appropriate implementation of recommendations.
• Manage audit observations and implement audit recommendations.
• Monitor, track and control expenditure to ensure optimum and appropriate use of resources.
• Ensure the availability of required financial reports to supplement exception reports including investigating anomalies to resolve problems, reporting or recommending any action required to relevant stakeholders.
• Supervise the timely review, posting and closure of accounts. Certify/verify accuracy and compliance with standards of accountability framework. Submit/prepare mandated report on financial status.
• Supervise all financial services (accounting, cash management, payments etc.) ensuring timeliness and compliance with standards of accountability and performance.
• Monitor the Management Budget expenditures for the OC and ensure that LMDC (Locally Managed Direct Cost) is properly recovered, billed and spent in accordance with the applicable procedures;

5.     Human resource management

• Plan personnel required for SSOC programmes/projects.
• Oversee all human resource services/processes including recruitment, salary administration and compensation, performance review, training and development, ensuring compliance with human resource rules, regulations, procedures and standards of performance and ensuring that hiring managers actively seek to create diverse teams in terms of gender and geography.
• Promote and support a learning culture by empowering individuals and teams to identify critical learning needs and plan/provide easy access to learning opportunities to maintain personnel competency and flexibility.
• Foster a positive work environment, respectful of both men and women, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.
• Exercise control of all staffing issues within the OC as required by the projects’ demands including recruitment, training, staff performance review

6.     Administration and Information Technology

• In close collaboration with Headquarters, support maintenance of a secure and reliable ICT environment, including adequate plans for disaster recovery.
• Manage the acquisition, maintenance, inventory, recording, verification and protection of project and administrative facilities/assets, including IT infrastructure, equipment and servers.
• Identify opportunities for leveraging the use of IT to enhance business operations and efficiency and to facilitate knowledge management, and information sharing.
• Manage the timely and efficient delivery of all administrative services, (e.g. premises, asset management, organizational and personnel security, travel and IT).

7.     Knowledge management and innovation

• Contribute to the development and introduction of innovation to ensure UNOPS is continually incorporating best practice approaches in SSOC’s support services.
• Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for corporate development planning and knowledge building.

At the request of the SSOC Director and in collaboration with the team, plan, implement and organize strategic capacity building of project personnel, clients and stakeholders

Education:

• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline is required.  
• A combination of Bachelor’s degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.

Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years of  relevant experience is required, covering at least two of the following operations functions: Procurement, Finance,  Human Resources
• Minimum 3 years experience in at management level
• Experience and knowledge of UN/UNOPS policies, rules and regulations is highly desirable.

• Full working knowledge of English is required;
• Knowledge of Arabic language desired;
• Knowledge of Spanish language desired;
• Knowledge of French language 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.
• 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.

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.