Operations Officer
Job no: 596635 Contract type: Fixed Term Appointment Duty Station: Florence Level: P-2
Location:
Italy Categories: Operations, Administration 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 for as long as we are needed. 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 professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package. *For every child, the right to a Chance* How can you make a difference? The effective performance of the Operations Officer directly contributes to Office of Strategy & Evidence
- OSE’s operational effectiveness and ability to deliver on its strategic mandate by ensuring efficient, responsive and fit-for-purpose operational services. Through these results, the Operations Officer contributes to a well-governed, efficient and fit-for-purpose Operations function that enables OSE teams to focus on their substantive mandate and supports OSE in delivering high-quality strategy, evidence and knowledge in support of UNICEF’s results for children. The ability of the Operations Officer to support assessment, mitigation, monitoring, review and reporting on the most significant risks that could potentially harm the organization, is a critical element of UNICEF’s risk and internal control performance management framework. Risk management skills are necessary to safeguard UNICEF’s reputation, resources, continuity of operations and reputation to fulfill our primary mission to save and protect children, globally. As part of the OSE Operations team and under the supervision of the Chief of Operations, the Operations & Administrative Officer (P2) will provide professional oversight, coordination and technical support for the effective delivery of administrative and operational services across OSE.
The P2 will supervise designated General Service staff within the Operations function, providing guidance, oversight and support to ensure effective performance, foster a positive and inclusive work environment, and support staff development and career growth. The position will contribute to the strategic oversight and effective management of OSE’s administrative operations, encompassing premises and facilities management, administrative and common services, events management, protocol, security and Business Continuity, local procurement and related office services. The Operations Officer will support the planning and implementation of complex operational initiatives and contribute to strengthening governance, internal controls and risk management across these areas. Through risk-informed analysis, effective coordination and application of Value for Money (VfM) principles, the position will support management in ensuring that operational arrangements are efficient, compliant, sustainable and responsive to OSE’s evolving business needs and strategic priorities. The incumbent will work closely with internal stakeholders, service providers, host-country counterparts and relevant UNICEF and UN common services units and UN country team counterparts. To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… Minimum Requirements
-
Education:
A first level university degree (bachelor or equivalent) in one of the following areas is required: business management, financial management, accounting, public finance and any other related operations function like supply chain, human resources, information technology, international business, project management etc.
- Work
Experience:
At least 2 years of professional experience in one or more operations management areas is required, including administration,
facilities management, procurement, travel, budget or supply chain.
-
Skills:
Understanding of Results Based Management principles and ability to apply them for operational planning and monitoring is a requirement. Candidates must also demonstrate digital fluency, including proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, and the ability to quickly learn, adopt, and make effective use of emerging technologies
- including AI-enabled tools, business intelligence platforms (e.g., Power BI), workflow automation solutions, and enterprise systems
- to enhance productivity, optimize operational processes, and support informed decision-making.
- Language
Requirements:
Fluency in English is required. Desirables
- Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language
- Experience in a UN system agency, large private or public company
- Experience in working in an HQ or Regional Division setting
- Proven experience in negotiating with suppliers, service providers, institutional counterparts and local authorities in a high-compliance or European setting
- Proven experience in organizing high-level events with multi-stakeholder coordination
- Experience in working in or coordinating with Common Services units
- Experience in supporting successful client-oriented work units
- Experience in working with corporate ERPs (Enterprise Resource Planning) and IPSAS (International Public Sector Accounting Standards)
- Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts. 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. UNICEF Competencies Required For This Post Are…
- Builds and maintains partnerships
- Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
- Drive to achieve results for impact
- Innovates and embraces change
- Manages ambiguity and complexity
- Thinks and acts strategically
- Works collaboratively with others *For more information and to apply, please visit our website via the apply button below.*
Location:
Italy Categories: Operations, Administration 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 for as long as we are needed. 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 professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package. *For every child, the right to a Chance* How can you make a difference? The effective performance of the Operations Officer directly contributes to Office of Strategy & Evidence
- OSE’s operational effectiveness and ability to deliver on its strategic mandate by ensuring efficient, responsive and fit-for-purpose operational services. Through these results, the Operations Officer contributes to a well-governed, efficient and fit-for-purpose Operations function that enables OSE teams to focus on their substantive mandate and supports OSE in delivering high-quality strategy, evidence and knowledge in support of UNICEF’s results for children. The ability of the Operations Officer to support assessment, mitigation, monitoring, review and reporting on the most significant risks that could potentially harm the organization, is a critical element of UNICEF’s risk and internal control performance management framework. Risk management skills are necessary to safeguard UNICEF’s reputation, resources, continuity of operations and reputation to fulfill our primary mission to save and protect children, globally. As part of the OSE Operations team and under the supervision of the Chief of Operations, the Operations & Administrative Officer (P2) will provide professional oversight, coordination and technical support for the effective delivery of administrative and operational services across OSE.
The P2 will supervise designated General Service staff within the Operations function, providing guidance, oversight and support to ensure effective performance, foster a positive and inclusive work environment, and support staff development and career growth. The position will contribute to the strategic oversight and effective management of OSE’s administrative operations, encompassing premises and facilities management, administrative and common services, events management, protocol, security and Business Continuity, local procurement and related office services. The Operations Officer will support the planning and implementation of complex operational initiatives and contribute to strengthening governance, internal controls and risk management across these areas. Through risk-informed analysis, effective coordination and application of Value for Money (VfM) principles, the position will support management in ensuring that operational arrangements are efficient, compliant, sustainable and responsive to OSE’s evolving business needs and strategic priorities. The incumbent will work closely with internal stakeholders, service providers, host-country counterparts and relevant UNICEF and UN common services units and UN country team counterparts. To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… Minimum Requirements
-
Education:
A first level university degree (bachelor or equivalent) in one of the following areas is required: business management, financial management, accounting, public finance and any other related operations function like supply chain, human resources, information technology, international business, project management etc.
- Work
Experience:
At least 2 years of professional experience in one or more operations management areas is required, including administration,
facilities management, procurement, travel, budget or supply chain.
-
Skills:
Understanding of Results Based Management principles and ability to apply them for operational planning and monitoring is a requirement. Candidates must also demonstrate digital fluency, including proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, and the ability to quickly learn, adopt, and make effective use of emerging technologies
- including AI-enabled tools, business intelligence platforms (e.g., Power BI), workflow automation solutions, and enterprise systems
- to enhance productivity, optimize operational processes, and support informed decision-making.
- Language
Requirements:
Fluency in English is required. Desirables
- Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language
- Experience in a UN system agency, large private or public company
- Experience in working in an HQ or Regional Division setting
- Proven experience in negotiating with suppliers, service providers, institutional counterparts and local authorities in a high-compliance or European setting
- Proven experience in organizing high-level events with multi-stakeholder coordination
- Experience in working in or coordinating with Common Services units
- Experience in supporting successful client-oriented work units
- Experience in working with corporate ERPs (Enterprise Resource Planning) and IPSAS (International Public Sector Accounting Standards)
- Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts. 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. UNICEF Competencies Required For This Post Are…
- Builds and maintains partnerships
- Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
- Drive to achieve results for impact
- Innovates and embraces change
- Manages ambiguity and complexity
- Thinks and acts strategically
- Works collaboratively with others *For more information and to apply, please visit our website via the apply button below.*