Operations Manager, (P-4), FT, #136779, Rome Common Services Center (CSC), Rome, Italy

Operations Manager, Common Services Center (CSC)

Responsibilities

• Manages and provides strategic direction and guidance to CSC in all areas, including Administration, Protocol, Finance, HR and ICT.
• Engages with stakeholders, understands business needs of clients, identifies emerging needs, anticipates challenges, proposes viable solutions and provides creative and innovative ideas aimed at a solution-focused approach to include value for money strategies.
• Ensures strategies and processes are in place to identify, promote and empower the potential in operations staff within CSC through career development, opportunities for stretch assignments and succession planning.
• Works with DFAM, DID, DPC, GSSC, SD and other HQ divisions/offices in connecting ideas, people and systems deploying a flexible model that provides a small footprint, low-cost delivery, and an agile workforce.
• Leads on the strategic planning and management of Rome CSC facilities, ensuring safe, accessible, and environmentally sustainable premises, including estate planning, space management and capital project development.
• Ensures effective risk mitigation and governance in Rome facilities management through the assessment of MOU, service contracts and financial commitments related to UNICEF's premises and operations.
• Implements process efficiencies and leverages innovation to enhance sustainability, cost savings and operational effectiveness across all functional service areas.
• Acts as a change agent using principles of change management and drives organizational change by leveraging technology to modernize and automate business workflows, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, quality assurance and operational excellence.
• Develops and monitors office management and work plans for Rome CSC Operations, ensuring efficient resource utilisation and cost-effective service delivery.
• Acts as Security Focal Point for the Rome UNICEF Office, supporting the Crisis Coordinator and leading development and execution of the Business Continuity Plan.
• Collaborates with event coordinators on planning and facilitation of events hosted by the Rome Office, including conferences, meetings and workshops.
• Acts as Secretariat to the Rome Management Team, providing risk-informed analysis and establishing Terms of Reference and meeting procedures.
• Provides direction to staff and manages their performance to elevate them into subject-matter expert roles and consistently deliver high-quality work.

Education

• Advanced university degree in Business Management, Finance, Accounting, Public Administration or related operations functions (Human Resources, Information Technology, etc.).
• Alternatively, a first-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying professional experience may be accepted.

Experience

• Minimum eight (8) years of relevant national and international experience, specifically in implementing strategic organisational initiatives in operations management areas (budget, financial management and reporting, facilities management, administration, ICT and human resources).
• Prior demonstrated experience working with a large number of clients in service delivery within the United Nations system or coordinating with other UN agencies, funds and programmes.
• Experience in Results Based Management, strategic management and leading successful client-oriented teams.
• Previous hands-on experience in strategic operations.
• Additional experience in one or more of the following areas is an asset: Internal controls, Audit management, Safety and security, Enterprise Risk Management, UNICEF/UN experience, country-level experience in development, fragile settings and humanitarian context.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English.
• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

Competencies

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness
• Works Collaboratively with others
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships
• Innovates and Embraces Change
• Thinks and Acts Strategically
• Drives to achieve impactful results
• Manages ambiguity and complexity

UNICEF is an equal opportunities employer; we welcome all qualified candidates regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, or disability. We offer a range of benefits including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. Applicants may request accommodation during the recruitment process. We comply with all medical and visa requirements as outlined in the general application policy.