Operations Associate

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women, established in July 2010, is dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. It was created as part of the UN reform agenda, merging resources and mandates from four distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender equality and women's empowerment. UN Women operates globally, with a mission to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower women, and achieve equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. The organization has a significant presence in Syria, where it has been working for many years to strengthen women's participation in the political process and provide humanitarian support to women and girls in need. UN Women Syria Programme operates from Damascus, collaborating with Syrian authorities and relevant commissions to implement its triple mandate effectively.

Job Overview:
The Operations Associate is a vital member of the UN Women Syria Programme operations team, reporting directly to the Operations Analyst. This role involves close collaboration with programme colleagues, regional operations advisers, HQ functional units, implementing partners, and UN system operations networks. The Operations Associate is responsible for delivering high-quality operational services across the Syria Programme, ensuring that all operational, financial, and logistical activities are executed with precision and accuracy. The incumbent is expected to be results-oriented and client-focused, producing administrative services of the highest quality in a timely and proactive manner. The position requires a strong understanding of UN Women rules and regulations, as well as the ability to contribute to the development and monitoring of annual work plans for the Operations Team, participate in review meetings, and provide substantive inputs to various operational processes.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Operations Associate will carry out a variety of duties, including but not limited to: contributing to the annual workplan for the Operations Team and assisting with its implementation and monitoring; participating in review meetings to assess the managerial and operational capacities of implementing partners; providing inputs to business process mapping and establishing internal standard operating procedures; supporting the implementation of corporate budget, financial, procurement, and HR policies; overseeing and monitoring financial resources for the Syria Programme; reviewing and verifying supporting documents for payments and financial reports; maintaining accurate data in Quantum; preparing for internal and external audits; providing inputs to recruitment processes and contract management; monitoring procurement processes; coordinating pre-audit preparations; ensuring knowledge sharing between the RO and other COs; and providing technical backstopping to the Operations Analyst. The incumbent may also perform other duties as necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in administration, finance, procurement, human resources, or logistic support services. A strong understanding of administrative and financial rules and regulations is essential, along with the ability to execute administrative processes and transactions effectively. Proficiency in using computers and office software packages, including MS Word and Excel, is required. Experience with web-based management systems and modern ERP systems, preferably Oracle Cloud, is desirable. The candidate should also demonstrate strong IT skills, the ability to prioritize work, and the capacity to handle a large volume of work while maintaining confidentiality.

Educational Background:
Completion of secondary education is required for this position. A Bachelor’s degree in business administration or finance is desirable, as it provides a solid foundation for the operational and financial responsibilities associated with the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in relevant fields such as administration, finance, procurement, human resources, or logistic support services. This experience should demonstrate the candidate's ability to manage complex operational tasks and contribute effectively to the overall objectives of the UN Women Syria Programme.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Arabic is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of another official UN language, such as French, is considered desirable and may enhance the candidate's qualifications.

Additional Notes:
The Operations Associate position is currently not supervisory; however, it may evolve to include supervisory responsibilities as the programme expands. The role is full-time and is focused on supporting the UN Women Syria Programme's operational needs. Candidates should be aware that UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy regarding conduct incompatible with the organization's aims, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history.