OHCHR National Operations Manager

Background:

OHCHR oPt is a country office of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The office was established in 1996 and it implements the global mandate of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to promote and protect the full enjoyment of human rights by all, without discrimination. The office has approximately 50 staff with a main office in Ramallah, sub-office in Gaza and field presences in East Jerusalem and Hebron. 

Under the over-all supervision of the Head of Office and the direct supervision of the Deputy Head of Office, the National Operations Manager leads the Operations Team of OHCHR in the occupied Palestinian territory. She/he ensures the timely and accurate planning and execution of and reporting on varied and inter-related operational, administrative and logistical activities in accordance with applicable UN rules and regulations. These activities include financial and budgetary processes, procurement and asset management, ICT services, human resources management, travel, security and access arrangements, and common services. In so doing he/she provides leadership and day-to-day management to a team of four operations professionals located in Ramallah and Gaza. She/he analyzes and interprets the operations rules and regulations and provides solutions to a wide spectrum of complex issues. She/he promotes a collaborative, client-focused, quality and results-oriented approach in support of OHCHR’s programme delivery. 

Functions/Key Results Expected/Responsibilities:

Within delegated authority, the OHCHR National Operations Manager will be responsible for the following duties:

1. Planning, general administration and management;
2. Oversee budget and finance processes;
3. Administration of procurement and asset management, including premises and ICT;
4. Oversee implementation of human resources processes;
5. Provision of travel, access and security services.

Description of Responsibilities:

1. Planning, general administration and management:

• Prepare annual and quarterly workplans and Standard Operating Procedures for the operations of OHCHR OPT;  
• Ensure full compliance with applicable UN Secretariat, OHCHR and/or UNDP rules, regulations, policies and strategies, including gender mainstreaming, in all operations;
• Provide leadership and day-to-day supervision of the operations team of OHCHR OPT, ensuring support and mentoring;    
• Represent OHCHR in the UNCT Operations Management Team;
• Keep the Head of Office and/or the Deputy Head of Office fully appraised of all operational matters requiring decision, change or approval;
• Maintain a central filing system ensuring consistent use and appropriate archiving of all official administrative, finance, and human resource documents.
• Provide information needed to respond to audit observations/findings;
• Perform other duties and/or assignments as required;

2. Oversee budget and finance processes:

• Oversee the preparation and revision of cost plans in line with work plans and financial rules and regulations and ensure that costs are reasonably estimated;
• Oversee the preparation of quarterly requests for funds (financial authorizations) and monitor obligations and expenditures against financial authorizations in line with approved cost plans;
• Ensure timely payments and timely verification of inter-office vouchers (IOVs) prepared by UNDP to confirm accuracy of accounts and to allow for reconciliation with OHCHR/UNDP’s accounting system;
• Develop, implement, and maintain internal controls to monitor and ensure that financial resources are utilized to implement activities in accordance with work plans and cost plans, and provide guidance to functional units on financial accountability within programme responsibilities and on the effective use of programme resources;
• Coordinate the production of financial reports for headquarters and donors;
• Manage petty cash in accordance with established procedures;  

3. Administration of procurement and asset management, including premises and ICT:

• Oversee the preparation of annual procurement plan in accordance with operational needs of OHCHR OPT corresponding to the annual workplan and ensure its implementation in accordance with UN rules and regulations;
• Ensure proper management of office assets, including maintenance of inventory, physical verification of assets and disposal of assets;
• Ensure that the office premises are well maintained, provided with common services, including ICT support, and there is an adequate level of office supplies;  
• Oversee the management of a fleet of vehicles and dispatching;
• Oversee the provision of ICT support, including the development of information management and data storage systems of OHCHR OPT in coordination with OHCHR HQ;

4. Oversee implementation of human resources processes:

• Ensure optimal staffing and human resource management of the office and projects through oversight of timely recruitment processes in accordance with OHCHR and UNDP rules and regulations, appropriate use of different contractual modalities, and contracts management;
• Provide guidance on performance management and staff development systems, including mandatory learning, and ensure tracking of compliance;
• Oversee prompt and professional induction of new staff, time-keeping of existing national staff and separation formalities of departing staff;
• Ensure confidential personnel files and required identification, travel and access documents of all staff are complete and up-to-date;
• Provide over-all HR support when required;

5. Provision of travel, access and security services:

• Supervise travel authorizations, ensuring appropriate justification, costing and approvals are in place;  verify travel claims and track outstanding payments;
• Oversee timely processing of access and permit request of national and international staff and visiting UN staff and delegations;  
• Oversee the work of the Area Security Focal Points in the West Bank and Gaza, ensuring in collaboration with the Department of Safety and Security (DSS) and Head of Office, that OHCHR OPT complies with applicable security rules and regulations, including ensuring Minimum Operation Security Standards (MOSS) compliance for vehicles, office and residential premises.

Competencies:

Core

1. Innovation

Adept with complex concepts and challenges convention purposefully

2.Leadership

Generates commitment, excitement and excellence in others

3.People Management

Models independent thinking and action

4.Communication

Synthesizes information to communicate independent analysis

5.Delivery

Meets goals and quality criteria for delivery of products or services

Technical/Functional:

1.Service Delivery Coordination  

 Ability to coordinate and deliver services in line with service level agreements and standards of excellence in UNDP 

2.Internal Reporting and Accountability   

Ability to create internal reporting and accountability processes and standards 

3.Operational Efficiency  

Ability to identify and execute opportunities to improve operational efficiency 

4.Human Resources Management (General)  

Knowledge of HR management issues and principles and the ability to apply them to strategic and/or practical situations 

5.Employee Engagement

Ability to motivate and inspire internal resources 

6.Building Strategic Partnerships  

Ability to maintain and establish networks of contacts for general information sharing and to remain up to date on partnership related issues.  

Jobs.ps, Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

Qualifications:

Education:

Advanced University degree in Accounting/Finance, Business or Public Administration, Economics, or related discipline is required. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

Advanced University degree with a minimum 2 years of progressively responsible administrative or programme experience is required at the national or international level or a First University degree with a minimum 4 years of progressively responsible administrative or programme experience at the national or international level.

Relevant management experience, including direct supervision of staff, leading teams, coaching, training and assessing staff performance is required.

Experience within the United Nations common system handling finance and administrative -related matters along with the knowledge of ERPS (Umoja/SAP) is desirable.

Language Requirements:

Excellent Arabic and English (written and spoken). 

Knowledge of Hebrew is an asset.