Support Services Associate AT UNOPS

General background:

The UNOPS Republic of Serbia Multi Country Office (RSMCO) is implementing 15 projects in Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Ukraine.
In Serbia, where UNOPS has been active since 2000, and North Macedonia and Montenegro where UNOPS works since 2017, the organisation provides support in demanding socio-economic reforms and facilitating accession to the European Union. The projects focus on sustainable socio-economic development, good governance, social cohesion, environment and emergency response. The projects are implemented with the funding from the European Union (EU), Kingdom of Norway, Governments of Switzerland, Sweden and North Macedonia.
In Ukraine, UNOPS support to the partners in their reform agenda since 2016 spans the rule of law, social protection, demining, emergency response and security. The projects are funded by the EU, UNHCR, the Governments of Japan and Canada.
All projects have gender equality as a transversal theme, and have been contextualised within the broader Sustainable Development Goals frameworks and objectives.
The Support Services Associate reports to the Head of Support Services and provides support in ensuring compliant and effective service delivery, fostering at all times collaboration within the Support Services team and promoting client-oriented approach with counterpart Projects’ teams at the Multi-Country level.
The Support Services Associate acts as a catalyst and facilitator for provision of efficient support services while ensuring understanding and respect of UNOPS internal control approaches, related mitigation plans, risk assessments, oversight and performance related KPIs and corporate priorities in ensuring quality delivery and partner satisfaction.

Functional responsibilities:

• Supports the Head of Support Services in monitoring and supervision of all aspects of operations to ensure compliance with corporate strategies, UNOPS rules, regulations, policies, and standards of accountability, ethics and integrity and achievement of results
• Contributes to monitoring of performance management of Serbia Multi-Country Office, its Finance and Oversight Key Performance indicators (KPIs) and People Targets
• Contributes to proper implementation of standards and operating procedures and where appropriate, suggests and/or contributes to updates and alignments with applicable corporate driven changes
• Takes part in monitoring the effectiveness of support services, to ensure optimum client service and satisfaction and support timely readjustment and improvements of the operations
• Supports activities relating to any internal/external audit exercise
• Performs as Health, Safety and Environmental Coordinator that takes part in implementation and review of the Office Health, Safety and Environmental Management Plan
• Perform as focal point for establishment, updates and implementation of the Business Continuity Plan
• Follows up on cooperative initiatives and promotes change management approach thus contributing to effective change adoption and knowledge management
• Supports knowledge building and sharing with regards to management and operations in the Office, synthesis of lessons learnt/best practices, and sound contributions to UNOPS knowledge management initiatives
• Supports development of tools and platforms for operations and data management, ensuring information and knowledge sharing with colleagues, clients and partners
• Support activities relating to engagement with the Serbia UN Operations Management Team (OMT)

Required selection criteria:

Education

• Completion of secondary school is required.
• First University Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Economics, HR or equivalent disciplines is desirable but not required.

Experience

• A minimum of six years of progressively responsible experience in providing support in operations/support services and/or project management in a large international organisation is required
• First University Degree may substitute for some years of experience
• Experience in use of Enterprise systems and dashboards is desirable

Language Requirements

• Fluency in Serbian and English is required
• Knowledge of another official UNOPS language is an asset

Core Competencies

• Strategic Perspective – Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization. (for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above)
• Integrity & Inclusion – Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
• Leading Self and Others – Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only:** Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
• Partnering – Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
• Results Orientation – Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
• Agility – Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behaviour. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
• Solution Focused – Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
• Effective Communication – Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

ALL CANDIDATES ARE REQUESTED TO SUBMIT A CV AND COVER LETTER ALONG WITH THEIR APPLICATION

Contract type, level and duration

This is a local position, it is therefore open to nationals of the Republic of Serbia and to individuals who have a valid residence/work permit.
Contract type: Ongoing ICA
Contract level: Local ICA 6
Contract duration: Open-ended subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and/or to satisfactory performance

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization – UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

For more information on UNOPS, please visit the UNOPS website at www.unops.org