Operations Manager

**Job no**: 577197
**Contract type**: Fixed Term Appointment
**Duty Station**: Panama City
**Level**: P-4
**Location**: Panama
**Categories**: Operations

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job - it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

**For every child, **_commitment_**

The Operations Manager is a strategic Business Partner for LACRO Senior Management Team, Country Offices Deputy Representatives Operations, Operations Managers and the LACR Operations community. The position oversees the effective Operations management of the Regional Office and provides technical supervision to the head of the Shared Operations Unit supporting Panama CO and LACRO. The position is also responsible for the provision of technical support, oversight, knowledge management and capacity building to LACR Country Offices in Finance, Budget, Administration, Greening, Accessibility, and UN reforms related matters.

The incumbent leads initiatives supporting efficiency of business processes in the region and monitors their sustainability. The function provides advice on best and innovative operational practices to enhance country offices’ performance. In addition, the function supports the Regional PBR exercises with technical inputs in operations matters as well as the Peer Review conducted by LACRO The position reports to the Regional Chief of Operations.

**How can you make a difference**?**

The incumbent will be responsible for the following:

- Support effective Operations management of the Regional Office
- Technical support and oversight to LACR Country Offices in Finance, Budget, Administration, Greening, Accessibility, and UN reforms related matters
- Support effective knowledge management and capacity building of the LAC Operations community
- Support effectiveness of Country Offices governance mechanisms and the regional efficiency agenda.

The Operations Manager will be required to align with the following five pillars, the core focus of all operations functions: Valuing People, Valuing Money, Valuing Risk Management, Valuing Systems and Structures, Valuing Partners.

**Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks**:

- Valuing People: Lead, manage and develop people resources to promote technical competence a..nd foster career progression and retention of a “fit for purpose”/ agile workforce.
- Valuing Money: Champion strategic resources to achieve organizational goals and ensure Value for Money (VfM).
- Valuing Risk Management: Enhance Risk Management to increase organizational performance and strengthen internal control.
- Valuing Systems and Structures: Ensure further operational centralization and optimization for maximized efficiency gains.
- Valuing Partners: Strengthening internal and external-facing partnerships and leveraging UNICEF’s oversight and understanding of financial management across all areas of the office.
- If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:_**_ _**_SJD Operations Manager (P4) 129556.pdf_**

**To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have**

**_ Minimum requirements:_**
- **Education**: An Advanced University Degree (Master’s and above) in one of the following areas is required; Business management; Financial management; Accounting; Public Finance; and related operations function (Supply Chain, Human Resources, Information Technology, International Business, Project management, etc.) or a full professional accounting designation (CA, ACA, ACCA, CPA, CIMA, CPFA, Expert Comptable) from an internationally recognized institute/body of accountancy with valid membership in good standing is required.
- **Work Experience**: A minimum of 8 years of professional experience, at the national and international level, is required, specifically in implementing strategic organizational initiatives in one or more operations management area including budget; financial management and reporting; facilities management; administration; supply and logistics management; information and communication technology; human resources.
- **Language Requirements**: Fluency in English and working level in Spanish is required. French or Portuguese language is an asset.

**_Desirables:_**
- Prior experience in the development sector or UN system/ international NGOs would be an asset.
- _Additional experience in on