Senior Operations Associate

Job Specification:

Job no: 577008
Contract type: Fixed Term Appointment
Duty Station: Kathmandu
Level: NO-3
Location: Nepal
Categories: Information Communication Technology

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, care

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

The T4D Specialist will be based at the UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia (ROSA) in Kathmandu and will report to the Regional T4D Manager.

How can you make a difference?

You will coordinate and support the planning, implementation and progression of the digital transformation and innovation initiatives within the South Asia Region (SAR) in collaboration with Programme sections and cross-sectoral sections at the Regional Office. As digital tools have increasingly become integral to effective programme delivery, systems enhancement, and monitoring in UNICEF, the role of the T4D Specialist has become pivotal. The T4D Specialist will liaise with and support all programme sections at the regional office (Health, Education, Child Protection, WASH, Gender, Adolescent Development, Climate, among others) and the cross-sectoral functions (Social and Behavior Change (SBC), Programme Planning, Evaluation, Communications, and Social Policy) contributing to the Regional Areas of Acceleration (Foundational Learning, Climate Action, Community Health Strengthening, and Adolescent Girls), and scale-up of any sector led flagship initiatives (Bebbo, Digital Transformation of Education with Google, Learning Passports, etc.).

Furthermore, the T4D Specialist will work closely with the ICT4D and programme teams at the UNICEF Country Offices (COs) across SAR and will serve as the sub-regional T4D-business-partner for UNICEF Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka.

Summary of the key functions, accountabilities and related duties or tasks include:

• Digital/Data Solution Implementation
• Strategic Oversight and Policy Compliance
• Engage and maintain partnerships and networks
• Portfolio Coordination and Project Management
• Knowledge Management
• Digital Capacity Building
• Business Analysis

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:

Download File T4D Specialist NO-C, Fixed Term, UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia.pdf

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

• Education: An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Digital Transformation, Business Management, Computer Science, Data Science, Information Management, Innovation,
• Digital Development, International Development or another relevant technical field. A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in a relevant field combined with 7 years of professional work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
• Work Experience: A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in Technology for Development or Business Analysis in a large international organization or corporation is required, including:
• Experience identifying, designing and implementing solutions for large-scale projects with technical components – including supervising external vendors and software developers; responsibility for business analysis, budgets, contracts, project management and procurement, etc.
• Experience with Programme, Digital, Product / Data innovations in low bandwidth settings
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.

Job Responsibilities :

Desirables:

• Experience in the following areas is desirable:
• Exposure to UNICEF, UN or other INGO programmatic areas, including health, nutrition, child protection and/or education and experience in applying technical solutions to address programmatic issues
  Experience with Open Source, Open Standards and Open Data
• Experience working in T4D/ICT4D program design, service design, and field deployment/implementation in developing countries
• Experience with RapidPro, Primero, DHIS2, ODK and other global public good technologies, and deploying, maintaining and scaling these technologies
• Experience in coordination with multiple stakeholders like Government agencies, academic institutions, research organizations, private sector etc. in implementing ICT projects and exploring space for collaboration and partnerships
• Software programming experience, including quality assurance and product ownership to deliver enhancements, new functionality, and defect resolution as well as proficiency with source code and related tools (e.g. GitHub, DevOps, etc.)
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency
• This vacancy announcement will also be used for the recruitment for a similar but temporary position at our UNICEF Nepal Country Office: Technology For Development (T4D) Specialist, NOC, Temporary Appointment (364 days).

How to apply for this post ?

Reporting to the Deputy Representative Programme at the UNICEF Nepal Country Office, the T4D Specialist (NOC) on Temporary Appointment will coordinate and provide T4D programmatic support to ensure effective programme delivery, systems strengthening and monitoring in Nepal. The successful candidate will also work in close liaison with Regional Office ICT and T4D teams, and the ICT Division HQ where applicable. The T4D Specialist may supervise local staff members or oversee the work of consultants. To be effective in this position, strong related work experience at federal, provincial/district and local levels is required.

Download File T4D Specialist NO-C, Temporary Appointment, UNICEF Nepal Country Office.pdf

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for the posts are…

Builds and maintains partnerships (Level 2)
Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (Level 2)
Drive to achieve results for impact (Level 2)
Innovates and embraces change (Level 2)
Manages ambiguity and complexity (Level 2)
Thinks and acts strategically (Level 2)
Works collaboratively with others (Level 2)

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable women and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.