Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

  • Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
  • Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
  • Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
  • Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

Under the overall leadership of the UN Country Team (UNCT), the Operations Management Team (OMT) provides leadership on the implementation of a coordinated, efficient and effective common operational support agenda at country level.

The objective of the common operations and efficiency agenda is to ensure that programme delivery is supported in the most effective, efficient and high-quality manner, through strengthened inter-agency collaboration and shared service mechanisms.

This is achieved through coordinated efforts in business operations, including the implementation of the Business Operations Strategy (BOS), the development and roll-out of Common Back Office (CBO) arrangements under the Self-Starter approach, and the advancement of Common Premises initiatives and broader Efficiency Agenda commitments.

The Business Operations Associate (inter-agency role) is hosted in UNDP and works under the guidance and supervision of the OMT Co-Chairs and supports the effective coordination, monitoring and reporting of BOS, CBO and Common Premises implementation. The incumbent serves as a key focal point to ensure structured communication, documentation, financial tracking and alignment with corporate guidance issued by the Development Coordination Office (DCO).

The position promotes a client-oriented, quality-driven and results-based approach to common operational services and works in close collaboration with the OMT, OMT working groups, agency Operations teams and the Programme Management Team (PMT) to ensure alignment between operational efficiency initiatives and programme delivery priorities.

Duties and Responsibilities

  1. Support Coordination of the Common Operations and Efficiency Agenda
  • Plays a key role in coordinating the operational elements related to the development and implementation of the Business Operations Strategy (BOS), Common Back Office (CBO) initiatives, and Common Premises arrangements.
  • Ensures compliance of common operational activities with corporate guidance, policies, and standard operating procedures.
  • Provides substantive inputs to the mapping and continuous improvement of administrative and operational business processes across agencies.
  • Conducts research, data analysis and benchmarking exercises to inform decision-making related to BOS, CBO and the Efficiency Agenda.
  • Supports OMT Co-Chairs through preparation of substantive documentation and analytical inputs for OMT and working group meetings.
  • Prepares regular presentations and updates for OMT and UNCT on progress of BOS, CBO, Common Premises and efficiency initiatives.
  • Leads preparation of the Annual Review and drafting of the consolidated report covering BOS, CBO and Common Premises implementation.

2. Support OMT Governance and Secretariat Functions 

  • Provides effective secretariat support to the OMT and its working groups, including agenda setting, drafting of minutes and documentation of decisions.
  • Maintains the OMT and working groups calendar of meetings.
  • Organizes logistics for OMT meetings, consultations and retreats.
  • Maintains structured documentation and filing systems related to BOS, CBO and Common Premises.
  • Ensures systematic follow-up on OMT decisions and agreed action points.
  • Facilitates ad hoc coordination meetings with OMT Co-Chairs and working groups as required.

3. Ensure Monitoring, Reporting and Corporate Compliance  

  • Ensures quality assurance of output produced by OMT working groups.
  • Monitors implementation progress and ensures timely reporting to OMT, UNCT and DCO.
  • Updates of BOS, CBO and Common Premises-related data on UNINFO.
  • Ensures accurate reporting of efficiency gains and performance indicators under the Efficiency Agenda.
  • Maintains open communication channels with DCO and ensures compliance with updated guidelines.

4.Support Financial Monitoring and Contribution Management 

  • Supports preparation and monitoring of BOS and common budgets in Quantum.
  • Prepares COAs and assists in award programming.
  • Tracks agency contributions and shared cost arrangements.
  • Prepares and issues BOS invoices and/ or common budgets and follows up on outstanding balances.
  • Coordinates with Finance to ensure reconciliation and financial transparency.
  • Prepares financial updates and reports for OMT and UNCT review.

5. Facilitate Knowledge Management and Inter-Agency Coordination

  • Acts as focal point for guidance and knowledge sharing related to BOS, CBO and Common Premises.
  • Facilitates knowledge exchange among agencies and with other OMTs.
  • Contributes to documentation of lessons learned and good practices in inter-agency operational collaboration.

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

Institutional Arrangement

The Business Operations Associate (inter-agency role) works under the guidance and the supervision of the Co-Chairs of the Operations Management Team (OMT) and provides support to ensure smooth coordination and organization of meetings and tasks across all parties involved in the development and the implementation of the Business Operations Strategy (BOS) and overall responsibilities of the OMT.

The incumbent serves as a coordination interface between Operations and Programme functions, working closely with agency Operations teams and the Programme Management Team (PMT) to ensure alignment between efficiency initiatives and programme delivery objectives.

Competencies

Core
Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements 
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 
Act with Determination:  LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Thematic Area Name Definition 
Administration & Operations Documents and records management Overall document (hard or electronic) management; registry and retention policy including storing and archiving.
Administration & Operations Events management (including retreats, trainings  and meetings) Ability to manage events, including venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc.
Business Management Customer Satisfaction/Client Management Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.
Business management Working with Evidence and Data Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making.
Business Development Integration within the UN  Ability to identity, and integrate capacity and assets of the UN system, and engage in joint work. Knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply this knowledge to strategic and/or practical situations
2030 Agenda: People Gender Communication and Advocacy for Gender Equality
Procurement Financial analysis Knowledge of evaluating businesses, projects, budgets, and other finance related transactions to determine their performance and suitability

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Education requirements
  • Completion of Secondary Education is required, Or
  • A university degree (bachelor´s degree) in Business, Public Administration, Management or any related field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.

Min. years of relevant work experience 
  • Minimum 6 years (with secondary education) or 3 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in finance or procurement, administration or equivalent. 

Required  skills 
  • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section
  • Experience in multi‑stakeholder coordination, including collaboration with multiple organizations and the coordination of teams or working groups.
  • Relevant experience with UN system 
  • Experience in project monitoring and reporting, including data collection, the use of dashboards, and the tracking of indicators/KPIs.

  • Experience with web-based ERP systems.
Required Language(s)  

Fluency in Arabic and French is required.

Fluency in English is desirable
   

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

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