Operations Manager (Open to internal and external applicants)

Position Purpose

The Operations 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 operations function as a net-positive, business-minded unit.

Key Duties and Accountabilities

• 1. Operational Advisory Services to CO Management:
  • Ensure full compliance of operations with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies, and Internal Control Framework (ICF);
  • Provide data-driven operational advice and insights to senior management;
  • Develop and use business intelligence, dashboards, and analytics to identify trends, bottlenecks, and efficiency gains;
  • Analyze cost structures, service utilization, and turnaround times;
  • Apply digital solutions, automation, and AI-enabled tools to enhance decision support;
  • Identify operational and business opportunities to optimize service delivery.
• 2. Procurement and Asset Management:
  • Lead procurement services ensuring efficiency and value for money;
  • Apply procurement analytics and supplier performance data;
  • Oversee lifecycle-based asset planning, utilization, and disposal;
  • Guide procurement unit in providing procurement solutions aligned with clients’ needs.
• 3. Finance Management and Financial Sustainability:
  • Manage finance as a business enabler supporting sustainability;
  • Ensure strong cost control, forecasting, and budget discipline;
  • Drive net-positive performance, cost recovery, and reserve building;
  • Use financial modeling to inform pricing and service offers;
  • Conduct financial oversight and compliance over the Finance unit, ensuring financial data integrity for UNDP and external clients.
• 4. Information and Communication Management and Supervision of ICT Team:
  • Ensure ERP functionality is used for improved business results and improved client services;
  • 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.
• 5. Human Resources Management and People Leadership:
  • Ensure CO compliance with corporate human resources policies and strategies;
  • Advise on optimal staffing of the office and projects;
  • Lead, manage, and develop operations staff;
  • Use HR analytics to improve workforce productivity;
  • Strengthen team connectivity and end-to-end service delivery;
  • Promote accountability, teamwork, client orientation, learning, and innovation.
• 6. Administration and Logistics:
  • Oversee facilities, logistics, travel, and administrative services;
  • Improve efficiency through process optimization and digitalization;
  • Ensure business continuity and operational readiness.
• 7. Common Services and Inter-Agency/External Support:
  • Develop and manage common and shared services;
  • Position the CO as a service provider for UN agencies and partners;
  • Design costing models, service standards, and performance monitoring;
  • Support revenue generation and sustainability.

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

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities:

Supervise and manage UNDP Country Office operations staff.

Competencies

People Management

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found on the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional/Technical competencies

Business Direction & Strategy

• Systems Thinking
• Strategic Thinking

Business Management

• Resource Management
• Portfolio Management
• Customer Satisfaction/Client Management
• Risk Management

Procurement

• Procurement Management

Finance

• Accounting (General)

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Finance, Management, Economics or a related field is required.