Background:
UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.
Senegal is a West African country with a land area of 196,712 square, bordered by Mauritania, Mali, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and the Atlantic Ocean. Senegal is divided into 6 natural regions and 14 administrative regions. Its natural resources provide diverse ecosystems, constituting an important environmental asset. The tropical climate is characterized by an 8 to 9-month dry season and 3 to 4-month rainy season. However, these natural advantages are threatened by drought, soil and vegetation degradation, biodiversity loss, coastal erosion, land salinization, and various forms of pollution. The effects of climate change exacerbate these threats. According to the National Agency for Statistics and Demography (ANSD) in 2023, the Senegalese population is 18,275,743, with 49.7% being women.
In this context, achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union's Agenda 2063 is a crucial priority for Senegal. The Strategic Note of Senegal Country Office considers the achievements in various public policies, incorporating emerging development challenges and acceleration measures to ensure the realization of the SDGs by 2030. Senegal faces challenges in achieving the SDGs, particularly SDG 5. According to the 2020 Human Development Index by the UNDP10, it ranks 168th out of 189 countries, placing it in the category of low human development. The Gender Inequality Index remains high at 0.530, ranking 131 out of 191 countries in 2021. Significant disparities are observed in politics, economy, employment, and health.
Reporting to the Country Representative the Operations Manager in the Senegal Country Office (CO) serves as a member of the senior management team, with oversight responsibilities for all aspects of the Senegal Country Office CO operations, this includes strategic financial and human resources management, efficient procurement and logistical services, security management, ICT and common services consistent with UN Women rules and regulations. The Operations Manager additionally serves as a key advisor to the Country Representative on matters of organizational integrity with the aim of ensuring: (i) compliance with UN Women policies and regulations; (ii) effective systems to support programme delivery and growth; (iii) accountability to organizational values and principles; and (iv) an enabling workplace environment in which staff potential is maximized.
The Operations Manager leads and guides the Country Office Operations Team and fosters collaboration within the team, with programme staff and with other UN Agencies and a client-oriented approach. The Operations Manager works in close collaboration with programme teams in the office, providing close guidance to programme staff who perform adjunct operations functions, ensuring that such staff are knowledgeable of rules and procedures governing programme finances, donor reporting, and personnel. She/he also works in collaboration with operations staff in other UN Agencies, UN Women Regional Office and HQ staff and Government officials to successfully deliver operations services.
Key Functions and Accountabilities :
Manage the operations in the Senegal Country Office
Oversee planning, expenditure tracking and auditing of financial resources
Ensure strategic and efficient management of office and programme financial resources; Exercise proper financial controls; Report locally and to HQ on established structures; seek advice from RO when deviations may be necessary; Review and take corrective action as appropriate on audit findings; Perform Level 2 Committing Officer role in Quantum for voucher and Purchase Order (PO) approvals; Ensure the CO‘s compliance with Internal Control Framework, Delegation of Authority and segregation of duties and responsibilities.
Oversee/Provide Human Resources services to the Senegal Country Office
Oversee procurement processes
Contribute to knowledge sharing between the Country Office and RO
Ensure knowledge is shared and adequately applied between the CO and RO in the region.The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Competencies :
Core Values:
Integrity; Professionalism; Respect for Diversity.Core Competencies:
Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues; Accountability; Creative Problem Solving; Effective Communication; Inclusive Collaboration; Stakeholder Engagement; Leading by Example.Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework:
Functional Competencies:
Strong knowledge of operation, finance, procurement, human resources, ICT, and security systems and processes, particularly in the UN system is an asset; Ability to provide advice and support; Ability to lead formulation and monitoring of management projects; Ability to handle confidential information Good negotiating skills Strong IT skills.Education and Certification:
Master’s degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, HR, or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.Experience:
At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience at the national or international level, in office management, operations or finance; Experience in leading a team is required; Experience in working in a computer environment using multiple office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems and ERP systems, preferably Oracle Cloud is required; Experience of accrual accounting, IPSAS or IFRS is highly desirable; Professional background in programming/ projects management is desirable. Experience in the UN system is desirable.Languages :
Fluency in English and French is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish).Statements :
In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.
Diversity and inclusion:
At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.
If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.
UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (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.)
Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.