Operations Associate

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The organization was created as part of the UN reform agenda to consolidate resources and mandates for greater impact in the area of gender equality and women's empowerment. UN Women merges and builds upon the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender issues, namely DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW, and UNIFEM. The organization 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. UN Women has been actively working in Syria for many years, focusing on strengthening women's participation in the political process and providing humanitarian support to women and girls in need through its Gaziantep-based cross-border operation. Following the fall of the Assad Regime, UN Women has established operations in Damascus, where it continues to implement its triple mandate in collaboration with Syrian authorities, including line ministries and relevant commissions.

Job Overview:
The Operations Associate is a vital member of the UN Women Syria Programme operations team, directly reporting to the Operations Analyst. This position requires 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 coordinated, responsive, and high-quality operational services across the Syria Programme. The role encompasses a variety of operational, financial, and logistical activities, ensuring that all work is executed with high quality 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 Operations Associate will contribute to the technical operations of the Syria Programme in accordance with UN Women rules, regulations, and policies, and will assist in the implementation and monitoring of the annual workplan for the Operations Team.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Operations Associate will undertake a comprehensive range 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 substantive inputs to business process mapping and establishing internal standard operating procedures; supporting the implementation of corporate budget, financial, procurement, and HR policies; overseeing the tracking and auditing of financial resources; maintaining accurate data in Quantum; preparing for internal and external audits; providing inputs to recruitment processes and contract management; monitoring procurement processes; ensuring proper inventory control of assets; coordinating pre-audit preparations; and facilitating knowledge sharing between the regional office and other country offices. The incumbent may also perform other duties as necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in administration, finance, procurement, human resources, or logistic support services. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in the usage of computers and office software packages, including MS Word and Excel, as well as experience with web-based management systems. Familiarity with modern web-based ERP systems, preferably Oracle Cloud, is desirable. Additionally, candidates should possess good knowledge of administrative and financial rules and regulations, and the ability to manage business processes re-engineering and implementation of new systems. Strong IT skills, the ability to prioritize work, and the capacity to handle a large volume of work are essential.

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:
Candidates must have 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 a strong understanding of operational processes and the ability to manage complex tasks effectively.

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

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Damascus, Syria, and may involve future supervisory responsibilities as the program expands. The role is full-time, and candidates should be prepared for a dynamic work environment that may require flexibility and adaptability. UN Women is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all employment decisions are based on qualifications, competence, integrity, and organizational need. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. It is important for applicants to complete all sections of the application form to avoid disqualification from the recruitment process.