Operations Manager

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP is on the ground in about 170 countries and territories, working with national counterparts on solutions to global and national development challenges.

In Mongolia, UNDP has been helping the country to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience to sustain development results. UNDP has been committed to helping the Government and the people of Mongolia achieve the Sustainable Development Goals as well as other national development priorities through capacity development, knowledge sharing, partnerships, and policy dialogue. UNDP aims to improve the lives of the people of Mongolia, especially the poorest and most vulnerable, and to work towards a future that offers equality, dignity, and opportunity for all. We work with government, civil society, the private sector, development partners, and funding organizations to support the attainment of Mongolia’s vision of national development. Currently, UNDP’s support in Mongolia focuses on continuing to support Mongolia's development in line with Vision 2050 and the New Recovery Policy.  UNDP Country Programme in Mongolia for  2023 – 2027 has 3 priority areas (i) diversified, inclusive, and green economic transition, (ii) risk-informed climate adaptation and sustainable management of natural ecosystems and (iii) women’s empowerment, inclusive and accountable governance, and progress toward attainment of the SDGs, all in line with the UNSDCF in Mongolia for 2023 – 2027 and Mongolia’s national priorities. 

The Operations Manager works under the guidance of the UNDP Resident Representative and Deputy Resident Representative in the country and s/he will work closely with the programme and operations teams in the Country Office, Project units, and staff in the Regional Bureau of Asia and the Pacific as well as the Global Policy Network (GPN), based in Bangkok and New York. S/he will also collaborate with the Asia-Pacific regional network of Programme Analysts. This will include systematic engagement with and oversight from the lead regional advisors based in Bangkok and New York. S/he is also expected to develop and maintain a professional network across development partner agencies, government institutions, the private sector, and civil society at the country level.
 

Under the overall guidance of the Resident Representative (RR) and direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative (DRR), the Operations Manager acts as an advisor to Senior Management on all aspects of Country Office (CO) management and operations. This includes strategic management of financial and human resources, efficient procurement and logistical services, ICT and common services consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. The Operations Manager’s main role is to lead, constantly evaluate, and adjust the operations of the Country Office to ensure consistent services delivery and smooth functioning of the CO programmes and projects. 

The Operations Manager leads and guides the (CO) Operations Team and fosters collaboration within the team, and with programme staff and other UN Agencies using a client-oriented approach. The Operations Manager works in close collaboration with programme and project teams in the CO, Operations staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP HQ staff and Government officials to successfully deliver the country programme.

Incumbent is  expected to have a broad operational knowledge base, results-based management aptitude and strong programme support credentials, including advanced project and risk management as well as analytical skills. They should have strong teambuilding, inter-personal and communication skills, be client-oriented, and have the ability to look at issues from different angles and find creative solutions. They should consistently approach work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

• Ensures that the Operations Team acts as an efficient and client-oriented “go-to” resource for programme and project implementation activities as support to programme and project implementation for optimization of delivery.
• In close coloration with the Programme Support Unit of the County Office, provide resource management support that includes programme delivery management, resource allocation, and consolidated pipeline management in collaboration with country office senior management and programme teams; and ensures provision of high-quality advice on office financial sustainability and programme resource management, including direct project costing and revenue management;
• Ensure full compliance of operations with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies, and Internal Control Framework (ICF). 
• Implement corporate operational strategies. Establish management targets (BSC); and regularly monitor office performance indicators for achievement of results. Take timely corrective actions when required. 
• Establish collaborative arrangements with potential partners and a client management system for appropriate management of partnerships and resource mobilization purposes. 
• Ensure mapping of CO business processes, and establishment of internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Finance, Human Resources Management, Procurement, ICT, Logistic, Protocol, Travel and Transportation Management Services. 
• Support senior management in identifying and overseeing risks to ensure dynamic and effective risk management in the CO and to make more risk-informed and timely decisions. Monitor and analyze the operating environment; undertake risk analysis related to operations for discussion with the DRR and RR, as appropriate; and make timely readjustment of operations services, considering advice on legal considerations. 
• Ensure systematic adherence to UNDP policies, procedures, and corporate guidance on enterprise risk management in the CO and at the project level. Participate in the appraisal of projects to provide operational input that includes formulating risk management plans and anticipating cost of risks during the project design phase.
• Ensure relevant colleagues and stakeholders from both programme and operations are consulted in the identification, costing, and management of risks for the programme, all projects, and portfolios in the office/unit when applicable. 
• Ensure knowledge building and sharing about management and operations in the CO, coordination of staff learning needs, and consolidation of lessons learnt/best practices.
• Provide sound contributions to UNDP knowledge networks and communities of practice.

• Ensure proper planning of CO financial resources, tracking and recording of expenditures in compliance with IPSAS, and audit of financial resources, including extra-budgetary income in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations.
• Oversee the contributions management business process and accounting for contributions to ensure that the money due to UNDP is properly identified, consistently and uniformly classified, recorded on a timely basis, and received with sufficient supporting documentation. 
• Perform appropriate delegations in ERP for voucher and Treasury transactions approvals and bank reconciliation. Approve bank reconciliations and pending disbursements as the “third authority” (cheques, bank transfers, EFT). 
• Organize cost-recovery mechanisms for CO services provided to projects and UN Agencies that includes ensuring timely preparation of proforma invoices for UN agencies.
• Organize and provide oversight of CO cash management processes, including liquidity management, recommendation of imprest level, risk assessment, bank relationship management; timely accounting and reconciliation of all transactions, and security for cash assets on site.
• Monitor financial exception reports for unusual activities and/or transactions; and investigate anomalies or unusual transactions. Ensure appropriate CO and UNDP HQ staff are informed of the results of the investigation when satisfactory answers are not obtained.
• Serve as member of bank signatory panel.
• Ensure transaction and stop payment approval on internet banking system.
• Ensure all financial transactions are identified, recorded, and verified in compliance with IPSAS as outlined in the corporate policies and procedures.

Ensure strategic human resources management and supervision of the HR team.

• Ensure CO compliance with corporate human resources policies and strategies.
• Advise on optimal staffing of the office and projects.
• Provide oversight for recruitment processes and appropriate use of different contractual modalities in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations.
• Establish and maintain proper performance management and staff development systems, ensuring staff access to role appropriate learning activities.

Ensure provision of efficient procurement, logistical and administrative services, and supervision of the Procurement team.

• Ensure CO compliance with corporate rules and regulations related to procurement and logistics.
• Develop CO procurement strategies including sourcing, supplier selection and evaluation, quality control, customer relationship management, and supplier performance evaluation system.
• Develop CO procurement plan and ensure proper contract management, anticipating potential litigations. 
• Oversee procurement processes and logistical services in compliance with procurement principles and guidelines. 
• Ensure proper management of UNDP assets, facilities and logistical services, and administrative services, including full compliance with IPSAS during purchasing, utilization and disposal of the CO’s assets. 

• Ensure ERP functionality is used for improved business results and improved client services.
• Identify opportunities and ways of converting business processes into web-based systems to address the issues of efficiency and full accountability.
• Maintain a secure, reliable infrastructure environment for ICT and adequate planning for disasters and recoveries. Update the ICT Disaster Recovery Plan regularly. 
• Identify and promote different systems and applications for optimal content management, knowledge sharing, information provision and learning including e-registry and web-based office management system, etc.

• Elaborate strategic approach for implementation of common services in line with the latest developments in common services and best practices.
• Ensure proper planning and tracking of common services budget and of Agencies' contributions to the common services account.
• Contribute to Operations Management Team (OMT) activities including the area of risk management.
• Acts as UNDP lead on common services, and is responsible for coordinated action to ensure integrated activities on common services and implementation of the UN reform.
• Leads and supports inter-agency efforts towards or management of common premises, as relevant.
• Ensures the implementation of appropriate cost recovery measures for the provision of common services and other support to UN entities, as relevant; oversees common services budget and monitors Agencies’ contributions to the common services account, as relevant.
• Serves as Country Security Focal Point for UNDP and supports office management in ensuring the safety and security of the staff and premises in coordination with UNDSS and UN partners.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities:  Supervise and manage UNDP Country Office operations staff

• Facilitates day-to-day functioning of the country office’s Operations Team, and any other teams reporting to him/her as relevant. Manages human and financial resources for achieving results.
• Guides and ensures effective recruitment, performance management and staff learning to motivate and promote organizational excellence in his/her teams.

• Core Competencies:

Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact.

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems.

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences.

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands 

Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results.

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration.

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.

• Cross Functional and  Technical Competencies:

Business Direction & Strategy - System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP.

Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

Business Management - Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimising return on investment.