Head of Support Services

Job Description

Application Deadline: 25-Aug-2018

Duty Station: Dakar, Senegal

Background Information - Senegal

Located in Dakar, the UNOPS office in Senegal has developed a strong working relation with the Governments of West Africa and international partners over the years. It provides technical support in strategic development areas including elections; procurement and related capacity building; environmental protection, as well as infrastructure rehabilitation and development.

A Partnerships Unit (PU) has been established to support the development of new engagement opportunities in the sub-region and increase CIOH’s project and programme portfolio. The Partnership Unit coordinates, supports and monitors the development of the portfolio. The Unit report directly to the Hub Director serving, as an interface between the project centers and the operational hub. The Partnership Advisor will work within the Partnership Unit.

Purpose and Scope of the Assignment

The Head of Support Services is a critical leadership role in the Operational Hub, reporting to the Director, who provides general guidance and supervision. The role is responsible for providing an efficient and integrated support service for the Operational Hub.

The role contributes, as part of the Operational Hub leadership team, to the development and implementation of strategies to enhance the competencies and position of UNOPS in sustainable project management and services to partners, stakeholders and UN system partners.

The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

The Head of Support Services (HoSS) has a primary reporting line to the Operational Hub Director (OHD) and is responsible for ensuring the highest efficiency and client service in Support Services. She/he is a member of the Senior Management team, with responsibility and accountability for all aspects of Operations management of the Operational Hub.

The Head of Support Services provides strategic guidance, analyses and operational oversight over the management of SNOH resources, and is responsible for safeguarding the financial accountability of the office. The HoSS leads strategic planning for, coordinates and manages the activities of the support services (human resources, finance, procurement, logistics, administration and ICT). The HoSS advises the OH Director on the overall strategic direction and activities of the functions and their personnel, and is accountable for ensuring consistency with UNOPS Regulations, Rules and procedures and good management practices.

In support of the Operational Hub Director’s leadership role for all SNOH operations, the HoSS is responsible for oversight and delivery of services to the partners of SNOH against tough standards of speed, consistency and quality, establishing UNOPS’ reputation as an organisation that provides operational excellence for results that matter. The HoSS is based in Dakar and provides support to the operations in Dakar and in countries under the responsibility of SNOH.

Please visit the online vacancy for further information and to apply: https://jobs.unops.org/Pages/ViewVacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=16228

Qualifications

Education

• A Master’s degree in a relevant related field is required.
• A combination of Bachelor’s degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.

Experience

• A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience covering at least two of the following operations functions: Procurement, Finance, Logistics/ Asset Management and Human Resources. Knowledge of the other functions is desirable.
• A minimum of 5 years of leadership experience managing support services at senior level is required.
• Proven experience of at least 2 years in public procurement management is required
• A relevant experience in UN system organizations, preferably in a developing country is desirable.
• Experience dealing with UN regulations, rules and policies in the areas of contracting, procurement and human resources is desirable.

Languages

• Full working knowledge of English and fluency in French is required.
• Knowledge of another official UNOPS language, is an asset.

About the Organization

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peace-building, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.