Summary of Key Functions:

1. Operational leadership and management 
2. Financial and compliance management
3. Human resources management 
4. Procurement 
5. Administration services incl. asset, office and travel management
6. Knowledge management and innovation 

Operational leadership and management 

• Set-up, monitor and supervise operations and operations team to ensure achievement of results, whilst driving compliance with corporate and MCO strategies, UNOPS rules, regulations, policies, and standards of accountability, ethics and integrity.
• Identify the needs, determine cost and plan project resources required for the successful project delivery. 
• Assist the Head of Portfolio in setting goals, targets and performance standards for projects, and recommend tools for monitoring and evaluation. 
• Participate in the UN Operations Management Meeting and collaborate with other UN colleagues to look for operational efficiencies.
• Closely collaborate with the MCO Support Services and Team Leads to continuously and mutually improve work processes and efficiency. 

 
Financial and compliance management 

• Prepare the project office financial plan and manage the budget process/cycle to ensure timely revisions and reallocation of funds as might be required. 
• Oversee the finance team and ensure compliance with the UNOPS/Financial Rules & Regulations and Finance procedures.
• Ensure accurate monitoring, tracking and control expenditure to ensure optimum and appropriate use of project resources, and coordinate the resolution of financial management and reporting issues in consultation with the relevant internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure the availability of required financial reports and exception reports including investigating anomalies to resolve problems, reporting or recommending any action required to relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure the timely review, posting and closure of project accounts. Verify accuracy and compliance with standards of accountability framework. Submit/prepare mandated reports on financial status.
• Supervise all financial services (accounting, cash management, local bank account, payments etc.) ensuring timeliness and compliance with standards of accountability and performance.
• Act as a focal point for any internal/external audit exercise.
• Act as a member of the bank signatory panel. 

Human resources management 

• Ensure the projects comply with corporate and MCO human resources policies, procedures and that all corporate HR initiatives are correctly implemented. 
• In close coordination with the Head of Portfolio Plan personnel required for successful implementation of projects.
• Oversee all human resource processes including recruitment, salary administration and compensation, performance review, training and development and ensuring that hiring managers actively seek to create diverse teams in terms of gender and geography.
• Promote and support a learning culture by empowering individuals and teams to identify critical learning needs and plan/provide easy access to learning opportunities to maintain personnel competency and flexibility. 
• Foster a positive work environment and a culture of respect where the highest standards of conduct are observed. Role model and ensure zero tolerance for discrimination, abuse of authority, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual exploitation and abuse. 

Procurement

• Oversee the procurement processes to ensure viable procurement solutions that meet operational needs of UNOPS Uzbekistan office and are compliant with UNOPS procurement procedures, regulations and standard of accountability, ethics, integrity and performance.
• Support with reviewing, administering and issuing contracts, agreements/amendments with institutions and UN agencies, as might be needed in consultation with the Senior Procurement Specialist and relevant colleagues. 
• Evaluate, update and monitor the performance of the relevant suppliers and coordinate actions with the procurement team to address poor performance, delays and procurement/supply chain bottlenecks. 
• Strengthen the effectiveness of procurement practices and act as Senior Procurement Officer as needed to ensure business continuity. 

Administration incl. asset, office and travel management

• Facilitate maintenance of an effective administration and office management to ensure that the project office units are equipped and supported in a quality and timely manner. 
• In collaboration with MCO ICT unit, support maintenance of a secure and reliable ICT environment, including adequate plans for disaster recovery and management of IT infrastructure, equipment and servers.
• Assist the Head of Portfolio with ensuring organizational and personnel security and safety, and complying with security regulations issued by UNDSS. 
• Liaise with OMT, UNDSS, and the appropriate local authorities on administrative matters, including issuance of visas and other travel documents, as appropriate.
• Ensure that official missions of UNOPS personnel and external participants are organized in line with UN/UNOPS rules and procedures, including timely processing of travel authorizations, venue, catering, hotel and travel bookings, security clearances, travel expense claims, entitlement/per diem payments, etc. 
• Ensure timely and accurate registration, management, tracking, maintenance and reporting of assets and non-expendable property and equipment as per UNOPS rules and regulations, ensuring that physical verifications of assets and equipment are performed regularly and any discrepancies are investigated and resolved, and coordinate disposal actions and repairs, as required due to administrative or project considerations.
• Establishment and management of a vehicle pool for providing transportation services as required by the project office needs.

 
Knowledge management and innovation 

• Contribute to the development and introduction of innovation into the project office operations to continually incorporate best practice approaches. 
• Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for MCO and corporate development planning and knowledge building.
• Assist the Head of Portfolio with planning, implementing and organizing strategic capacity building of project personnel, clients and stakeholders.
• In collaboration with the MCO HoSS and Team Leads, create opportunities for synergies and cross-office collaboration to foster operational excellence and personnel professional development. 

• A Master’s degree preferably in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Economics, HR or related field is required.
• A combination of Bachelor’s degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.

Experience/Requirements:

• A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in project/program operations covering at least two of the following functions: Finance, Human Resources, Procurement, Administration, Asset Management, Travel, Office Management and ICT. Knowledge of the other functions is desired. 
• A minimum of 3 years of UN/UNOPS experience in project/program operations and/or operations management is required. 
• A minimum of 3 years of leadership experience, including a proven track record managing staff and operational systems is required.
• Working experience in a developing country is desired. 
• Experience dealing with UN regulations, rules and policies in the areas of contracting, procurement and human resources is desired.
• Working experience in Central Asia is an asset. 

Language Requirements:

• Full working knowledge of English is essential. 
• Knowledge of Uzbek and/or Russian is an asset. 
• Knowledge of another official UNOPS language is an asset.