Operations Analyst

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead UN agency focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights, aiming to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and territories, employing thousands of staff dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and communities. The organization is committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) agenda, particularly in the areas of maternal health, family planning, and gender equality. UNFPA's mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled, emphasizing the importance of human rights and gender equality in its operations.

Job Overview:
The Operations Analyst plays a crucial role in supporting the UNFPA Country Office (CO) operations by ensuring effective planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of the country programme. This position requires a proactive approach to managing financial resources, procurement, administration, and human resources, while fostering collaboration within the UNFPA team and with external partners. The Operations Analyst will lead the operations team to ensure smooth functioning across various operational areas, contributing to the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the CO. The role involves addressing operational challenges, ensuring compliance with financial policies, and promoting a client-oriented approach to service delivery. The Operations Analyst will also participate in inter-agency coordination, enhancing communication and cooperation with the Regional Office and Headquarters, ultimately contributing to the realization of the 2030 Development Agenda.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Operations Analyst will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including:

• Collaborating with the programme team and senior management to plan, implement, monitor, and report on country programme results.
• Managing financial resources by tracking available resources, ensuring compliance with financial policies, and establishing reporting structures and performance indicators.
• Overseeing day-to-day office operations to ensure high-quality service delivery by the operations team.
• Proactively addressing operational bottlenecks and advising on necessary deviations from regulations, proposing alternative solutions.
• Monitoring and facilitating execution of financial, administrative, HR, ICT, logistics, and travel services, while overseeing procurement and vendor management.
• Assessing operational and staffing requirements for the country programme and supporting timely recruitment and training of personnel.
• Supporting national execution of UNFPA activities and building capacity of implementing partners.
• Ensuring timely provision of goods and services through effective procurement processes.
• Supervising the operations team, including outsourced personnel, and participating in inter-agency meetings to represent UNFPA's interests. 1
• Maintaining a continuous flow of information between the CO, Regional Office, and Headquarters.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree (Masters) in business administration, public administration, finance, accounting, social science, or a related discipline. Additionally, a minimum of two years of relevant experience in management advisory services and operations management in either the public or private sector is required. Experience in operations within the UN or an international NGO is highly desirable. Candidates should demonstrate strong leadership abilities, effective communication skills, and the capacity to work in a multicultural environment. High integrity standards and sound judgment are essential, along with proficiency in office software applications and corporate ICT systems.

Educational Background:
The educational requirement for this position is an advanced degree (Masters) in a relevant field such as business administration, public administration, finance, accounting, social science, or a related discipline. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of operations management within the context of UNFPA's mission and objectives.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of two years of relevant experience in providing management advisory services and managing operations, including administration, finance, human resources, procurement, ICT, and premises management. Candidates with progressively responsible experience in operations within the UN or international NGOs will be given preference. The ability to supervise and lead teams effectively is essential, as is the capacity to work in a multicultural environment and build effective relationships with diverse stakeholders.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, along with proficiency in one of the local languages, either Sinhala or Tamil. This bilingual capability is important for effective communication within the local context and with various stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is a full-time role within the UNFPA Country Office in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The organization promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment, encouraging applications from women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups. UNFPA is committed to gender parity and equal opportunities in recruitment, training, and compensation. The selection process may involve background checks, medical clearance, and other administrative requirements. UNFPA does not charge any fees during the application or recruitment process.