Operations Specialist (Temporary)

Job no: 591236
Contract type: Temporary Appointment
Duty Station: Baidoa (Baydhabo)
Location: Somalia
Categories: Operations

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.

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

For every child, the right to Commitment

How can you make a difference?

As a Strategic Business Partner, the incumbent will be accountable for operations functions, facilitate change, provide risk informed, solution-focused analysis, advice and services and contribute to programme and management decisions for delivering results for children in specific operational contexts.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks.

1. Facilitating services in the functional areas of operations support: budget, financial management and reporting, facilities management, administration, supply and logistics management, information and communications technology, human resources, and safety and security.
2. Supporting the line manager to implement career development, opportunities for staff;
3. Acting as a member of the Country and Senior Management Teams, representing the organizational risks, governance systems and policies, and promoting results based management.
4. Understanding business needs for the of f ice, to anticipate challenges, propose viable/creative solutions aimed at value for money.
5. Providing key contribution to CPD, CPMP, AMP and support to Results Based Management and implementation using Value for Money criteria.
6. Promoting the fundamentals of ICT management, information security and controls;
7. Supporting supply and logistics strategies and interventions to meet programmatic needs while ensuring Value for Money (VfM), including procurement of f it for purpose products and services, and providing advisory support to governments, national systems and partners on supply chain management;
8. Supporting the country of f ice during external and internal audit reviews and responding to audit observations and monitoring implementation of recommendations.
9. Providing regular feedback on risks and achievements of operations functions in the of f ice;
10. Leading on facility management with a specific focus on inclusive accessibility, Eco sustainability and common premises.

1. Monitoring business transactions processed by GSSC from a perspective of Efficiency,
2. Performance, Risk Management and Fraud prevention
3. Supporting the management of PSFR operations and promoting ef f iciency across systems and processes, where applicable.

• Minimum requirements

• • 1. 1. Education: Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Accounting, Finance, Business, Administration, Info. Technology, Business Management, Financial Management, Accounting, Public Finance, Supply Chain, Human Resources, Information Technology, International Business, Project Management and any other related fields.
       2. Work Experience: At least 5 years of relevant work experience in Operations,Financial Management, Operations Support, Budget, Financial Management, Facilities Management, Administration, Supply and Logistics, Information and Communications Technology, Human Resources, Safety and Security. and any other related fields.
       3. Skills: Risk Management, Reporting, Resource Planning, Value for Money, IPSAS, ERPs, SAP.
       4. Language Requirements: English on a proficient/fluent level.

• Desirables
  
  1. 1. Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) and/or knowledge of local language Somali.
     2. Previous experience with Audit, Investigations, Grant Management, Risk and Fundraising.
     3. Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts. 

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.

Advertised: 23 Feb 2026 E. Africa Standard Time
Deadline: 02 Mar 2026 E. Africa Standard Time