Support Services Manager

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is UNOPS, which stands for the United Nations Office for Project Services. Established to provide project management, procurement, and infrastructure services to help governments and organizations achieve sustainable development goals, UNOPS operates in various sectors including health, education, and environmental management. The organization has a significant presence in Europe and Central Asia, with its regional office based in Geneva. UNOPS is committed to delivering high-quality services and has a diverse workforce that includes professionals from various nationalities and backgrounds. The organization emphasizes the importance of compliance, efficiency, and innovation in its operations, aiming to create a positive impact in the communities it serves.

Job Overview:
The Support Services Manager position is a mid-level role focused on leading and innovating financial management and support services within a critical development context in Uzbekistan. The role is pivotal in enhancing healthcare initiatives and involves working with various stakeholders to implement UNOPS projects strategically. The manager will be responsible for ensuring robust financial management, overseeing HR, asset management, logistics, ICT, travel, and general administration. This position requires a seasoned professional who can adapt existing policies to local needs while providing authoritative advice to ensure compliance and optimal resource utilization. The role also emphasizes the importance of driving efficiency and compliance in a dynamic operational environment, making it a challenging yet rewarding opportunity for the right candidate.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Support Services Manager will have a comprehensive set of duties and responsibilities, including:

• Financial Management, Controls, and Oversight: Provide authoritative advice on UNOPS financial policies, manage advance payments, oversee financial contract management, monitor financial risks, ensure accurate financial reporting, implement financial control mechanisms, and manage audit activities.
• Operational Support and Process Optimization: Lead the implementation of support service processes, adapt operational policies to local constraints, supervise the delivery of support services, liaise with vendors, and represent the support services function in meetings.
• Team Leadership and Capacity Building: Supervise a team of support staff, foster a high-performance culture, provide guidance and mentorship, and lead initiatives for knowledge sharing.
• Knowledge Management & Innovation: Contribute to the development of innovative practices, disseminate best practices, and plan strategic capacity building for project personnel and stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a PhD or Master's degree (or equivalent) with at least 5 years of relevant experience, or a Technical/Professional license with 6 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor's degree with 7 years of relevant experience. A globally or nationally recognized professional certificate in financial management (e.g., ACCA, CPA, CIMA) is desired. The role requires a strong background in financial management, accounting, and administrative support services, as well as experience in managing projects independently and supervising teams.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a PhD or Master's degree in a relevant field, a Technical/Professional license, or a Bachelor's degree with significant experience. The emphasis is on qualifications that demonstrate expertise in financial management and related areas, ensuring that candidates have the necessary knowledge to perform effectively in this role.

Experience:
Candidates should have relevant experience in financial management, accounting, and administrative support services. Experience in managing projects or programs independently within existing frameworks is essential, along with experience supervising a team of support staff or junior professionals. Desired experience includes working in international organizations or complex multi-country environments and familiarity with ERP systems such as SAP or Oracle.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required, while fluency in Russian and Uzbek is desirable. Proficiency in these languages will facilitate effective communication with diverse stakeholders and enhance the manager's ability to perform in the role.

Additional Notes:
The position is classified as mid-level with an ICS level of 10 and is offered under an ICA - IICA - Regular contract type. The contract level is IICA 2, and the duration of the contract is ongoing. The application deadline is set for midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of 29-Oct-202

• UNOPS emphasizes diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging applications from candidates of various backgrounds, including women and underrepresented groups. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual exploitation and abuse, and background checks are conducted for all final candidates.