UNICEF has been working in Cameroon since 1975 to allow women and children to fully realize their rights to development without restriction, as enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. UNICEF provides financial and technical support to Cameroon across seven areas to fully realize the rights of women and children. These areas include Health, HIV/AIDS, Water-sanitation-Hygiene, nutrition, education, child protection, and social inclusion. UNICEF focuses mainly on children and the most vulnerable and excluded families. Cameroon’s 2020 population is estimated at 26,545,863 people according to UN data. The population is young and generates strong socioeconomic demand. In rural areas, limited access to basic social services and the effects of climate change lead to household impoverishment and severe child deprivations. The task is immense but not insurmountable; it requires the energy of all stakeholders in Cameroon and outside of Cameroon: also, women, men, youth and children, government, technical and financial partners, donors, civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians, and communities. Everyone is invited to participate in the struggle to meet the challenges ahead. Together, we will act for Cameroon, a country that summarizes the challenges and hopes of Africa.

As a Strategic Business Partner and Deputy for the Head of the Office, you will be instrumental in leading UNICEF Cameroon’s mission to deliver impactful results for children across the office’s operational business areas. In this position, you will drive change, provide risk-informed, solution-orientated analysis, strategic advice and services that support critical programme and management decisions.   

Key responsibilities of Strategic Operations:

• Lead by example and support the Head of Office in operational oversight.
• Act as Officer in Charge in the absence of the Head of Office, ensuring business continuity in the overall management of the office.
• Oversee, manage and guide the core operational teams, including in budget, financial management and reporting, facilities management, administration, supply and logistics management, information and communications technology, safety and security and risk and compliance.
• As a member of the Country and Senior Management Teams, represent organizational risk, governance systems and policies perspective in management discussions, championing results-based management practices to drive effective decision-making.
• Anticipate and address business needs and challenges in the Country Programme and operations with innovative, cost-effective  solutions to ensure value for money.
• Provide critical inputs to the CPD, CPMP, AMP processes and support results-based management and value-for-money principles.
• Lead external and internal audit preparedness and reviews, managing responses to audit observations and ensure implementation of recommendations.
• Leverage effective use of technology for achieving results and programme accountabilities,. emphasizing the fundamentals of ICT and innovation management, information security and controls.
• Guide supply and logistics strategies and interventions to meet programmatic needs efficiently, ensuring procurement practices support the value-for-money principle. Provide advisory support on supply chain management to government, national systems and partners.
• Lead UNICEF’s inputs for Common Back Office and Business Operations Strategy as part of UN inter-agency collaboration.
• Leverage governance structures, systems, and tools to regularly report on risk and risk-mitigation and operational achievements.
• Oversee administrative and facility management with a specific focus on inclusive accessibility, eco- sustainability and common premises.
• Oversee business transactions processed by GSSC from a perspective of efficiency, performance, risk management and fraud prevention.
• Promote and lead simplification and efficiency across systems and processes, where applicable.

As Deputy Representative Operations, you will champion the following five pillars across all operations functions: Valuing People, Valuing Money, Valuing Risk Management, Valuing Systems and Structures, Valuing Partners. These pillars will guide the operations strategy to drive organizational excellence, accountability, and sustainable results for UNICEF Cameroon’s mission.

Minimum requirements:

• Education: 

An Advanced University Degree (Master’s and above) in one of the following areas is required: Business management; Financial management; Accounting; Public Finance; and related operations function (Supply Chain, Human Resources, Information Technology, International Business, Project management, etc.) or a full professional accounting designation (CA, ACA, ACCA, CPA, CIMA, CPFA, Expert Compatible) from an internationally recognized institute/body of accountancy with valid membership in good standing is required.

*A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.

• Work Experience: 

A minimum of 8 years of professional experience, at the national and international level, is required, specifically in implementing strategic organizational initiatives in one or more operations management area including budget; financial management and reporting; facilities management; administration; supply and logistics management; information and communication technology.

Prior experience in the development sector or UN system/ international NGOs would be an asset.

Additional experience in one or more of the following areas, would be desired:

• • • Audit and investigations
    • Safety and security
    • Grant Management
    • Enterprise Risk Management

Experience in a UN system agency, large private or public company, or experience working in a developing country and/or humanitarian/ emergency context is an asset.

Experience in working with corporate ERPs (Enterprise Resource Planning) and IPSAS (International Public Sector Accounting Standards) is highly desirable.

Experience in Results Based Management is a requirement.

Strategic management experience in leading successful client-oriented  teams is required.

Previous hands-on experience in strategic operations is required.

Familiarity with Microsoft Office applications is required.

• Language Requirements: 

Fluency in English and French is required, coupled with excellent written skills.