Operations Officer

The UK MOD have partnered with UNOPS for the provision of specific support services to their troops, who are deployed in locations in northern South Sudan.  To this end, in Malakal and Bentiu, Facility Managers manage those elements of the Project Management Team (PMT) located there, while the remainder of the PMT is based in Juba supporting the teams in the field – ensuring the timely delivery of services and goods to required quality standards, as   by the UK MOD for the British Military.

Services are required to be delivered on a 24/7/365 basis and monitored and resupplied throughout, which currently is largely only possible by air logistics.  UNOPS’ client requires services to be delivered to global quality standards and managed by a dedicated team to ensure continuity of service and to produce quality outputs. 

Reporting to, and with the support of, the incumbent Project Manager (PM) and Facility Managers, the Operations Officer will be based in Juba, but will be expected to make operational trips to the forward locations.  He/she will report to the PM who will provide broad supervision and guidance, while entrusting the Operations Officer the autonomy to deliver successful outputs while working closely with the Logistics team and Project Support Officer.

The Operations Officer will be based in Juba and reports to the Project Manager who provides broad supervision and guidance. The role is responsible for assisting in provision of all project operations related to supporting project personnel, transport and storage of project equipment and supplies in South Sudan. He/she identifies probable issues that may need attention, supports in problem analysis and solution identification as necessary, coordinate resolution as per action-items assigned. The role can often be required to work in complex and challenging environments with limited resources.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Summary of Key Functions 

1. Administrative and operations support to project personnel in the field offices;
2. Ensure transport, storage, accountability and maintenance of equipment, materials and supplies;
3. Effective support to  general Project activities;
4. Stakeholder management, coordination and liaison;
5. Support in facilitation of knowledge building, sharing and management.

I. Ensure Administrative and operations support to project personnel, focusing on achievement of the following result:

• Facilitate travel of project personnel on mission and commercial flights in and out South Sudan;
• Responsible for all aspects related to the arrival of new project personnel (welcome package, visa letter, pick up from the airport, Juba accommodation, project induction training, booking of SSAFE training;
• Regular update of welcome package for project staff;
• Preparation and submission of Movement of Personnel (MOPs) requests for all project personnel.  Ensuring extensive knowledge of flight schedules, coordinating the booking of accommodation for project personnel travelling to the field or Juba;
• Develop and maintain movement of personnel tracking
• Develop an SOP for the movement of personnel;
• Ensure that project personnel based in the field receive all the required support by conducting surveys to project staff in the field;
• When required, field visits and replace Facilities Managers in the field.

II. Ensure Transport, storage, accountability and maintenance of equipment, materials and supplies, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Ensure Receipt and Inspection reports for incoming equipment and supplies are completed;
• Issue and ordering of inventory and supplies required for the operations of the project;
• Liaise with Facilities Managers and monitor Field Missions stock levels.  Establish requirements for replenishment by creating trigger levels.
• Tracking, maintenance and reporting of assets and non-expendable property and equipment and ensure that physical verification of assets and equipment is performed on a regular schedule, and that any discrepancies are fully investigated and resolved;
• Warehousing and stock control of project equipment and consumables.
• Prepare and submit Cargo Movement Requests (CMRs) to MOVCON and UNHAS for shipping of equipment, cleaning supplies, food and consumables. Facilitating warehousing, transportation and loading of cargo;
• Coordinate all movement of goods into and around South Sudan including, customs clearance, freight management, freight tracking and receipting, air and road transportation, CMRs;
• Coordinate for equipment maintenance, repair and replacement during the project life cycle
• Flight, road and barge shipping – convoy tracking (negotiate with UN agencies such as WPF);

III. Support to general project activities, focusing on the achievement of the following result:

• Assist in the procurement of equipment and consumables by establishing technical specifications and requirements. Tracking of procurement processes and ensuring timely delivery of goods and services;
• Engaging and dispatching service providers such as fumigation, pest control and engineering;
• Support in monitoring and evaluation of the project activities;
• Assist Project Manager in drafting plans, reports, contracts, statements of work, and other related documents as required, to support the project;
• Perform other related duties as instructed by supervisor.

IV. Stakeholder management, coordination and liaison, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Support the coordination and management of communications in the field;
• Liaise and build relationships with other United Nations (UN) agencies and international non-governmental organizations (I/NGOs) for the purposes of facilitating project operations;
• Participate in meetings with UNMISS and other Stakeholders as required.

V. Ensures knowledge building and knowledge sharing, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Provide skills transfer, capacity building and day to day supervision of all staff under responsibility and ensure that the staff are knowledgeable and comply with the UNOPS and UN protocols and regulations;
• Synthesis of lessons learned and best practices in Camp Management Services Operations especially with DPKO Missions;
• Contribute to expertise in tools and techniques

Impact of Results

The key results of this position will have an impact on the overall efficiency of UNOPS in managing project operations and success in introduction and implementation of operational strategies.  Strategic approach to operations management, effective and efficient project operations support, and timely and appropriate delivery of services ensure client satisfaction and overall effective delivery of UNOPS programs and projects.

Education

• Advanced University Degree (Masters) in International relations, Social Sciences, Business Administration, Logistics, Operations Management, Public Administration or related field.
• A first level University degree (Bachelor’s Degree) in a related field with an additional 2 years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree;

• A certificate in Prince 2 Foundation a distinct advantage. 

Work Experience

• A Minimum 2 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing in Administration Logistics Operations, communication with clients and provision of support to staff working in a field mission is required ;
• Previous experience with UN/DPKO is an asset;
• Experience in a post conflict/conflict situations is required and experience in South Sudan is an advantage;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Office 2010 and/or newer versions) is required;
• Knowledge of UN/UNOPS financial rules and regulations, policies and procedures is an advantage;

Language

• Fluency in speaking, writing and reading English required
• Fluency in another UN languages is an advantage;

• 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.
• UNOPS has provision for flexible working arrangements
• 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.