Deputy Representative Operations, (P-4) Fixed Term – Bangkok Common Service Centre (CSC), Thailand #13919

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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 a future

The Thailand Country Office operates within a unique hybrid structure combining programme, operations, emergency response, and private sector fundraising functions within an Upper Middle-Income Country context, while also supporting broader regional and inter-agency operational platforms. In addition to supporting the Thailand Country Programme, the office hosts the newly established Common Services Centre (CSC), which provides operational support services to UNICEF entities located in Thailand, including the Asia and Pacific Regional Office (APRO), the Centre of Excellence for Climate (CoE), and outposted programme groups.

As such, the operations function requires strong strategic leadership, coordination and service orientation across multiple entities with differing operational requirements, risk profiles, and administrative structures. The role therefore extends beyond traditional country office operations management and includes oversight and coordination of integrated operational service delivery functions including finance, supply, administration, protocol, building and facilities management, ICT, safety and security, and enterprise risk management.

In this context, operations support is not limited to transactional or project support functions, but contributes to broader institutional effectiveness, operational resilience, systems strengthening, and organizational agility across hosted entities and partnerships.

To learn more about our country programme visit UNICEF Thailand

How can you make a difference? 

As a Strategic Business Partner and Deputy for the Head of the Thailand Country Office, the incumbent will lead for results, drive change, provide risk-informed and solution-focused analysis, advice and services, and contribute to programme and management decisions for delivering results for children within a complex operational environment.

The incumbent directs professional and support staff to ensure effective, equitable, efficient and client-oriented delivery of operational functions under the CSC framework, including finance, supply, administration, protocol services, facilities and building management, ICT, safety and security, risk management and other operational support services.

The incumbent ensures that operational support services are delivered in compliance with UNICEF rules and regulations, while also recognizing the differing operational requirements, programme structures and service needs of hosted entities and clients. The role supports organizational effectiveness, operational coherence, risk-informed decision-making, and service optimization across the broader UNICEF operational platform in Thailand, including participation in Common Services Centre (CSC) governance structures and oversight arrangements supporting APRO, the Centre of Excellence for Climate (CoE), and outposted programme groups.

The role also contributes to strengthened programme delivery through strategic operations support, technical engagement, integrated operational planning, and oversight functions that support organizational effectiveness across hosted entities.

• Leading by example and supporting the Head of Office on managing the office
• Acting as Officer in Charge in the absence of the Head of Office
• Managing services across the core functional areas of operations support, including: i) financial management and reporting; ii) facilities management, administration and protocol services; iii) supply and logistics management; iv) information technology and digital support services; v) implementing partner management and risk management; and vi) safety and security, while convening operational functions to support integrated, strategic and coherent service delivery.
• Acting as member of the Thailand Country and Senior Management Teams, representing the organizational risk, governance systems and policies perspective in management discussions, and promoting business models and strategic operations to drive results for children.
• Providing key contribution to CPD, CPMP, AMP and support to Results Based Management and implementation using Value for Money criteria.
• Promoting the fundamentals of ICT management, information security and controls; including roll out of AI and ERP system changes.
• Supporting the country office during external and internal audit reviews and responding to audit observations and monitoring implementation of recommendations.
• Guiding Supply and Logistics strategies and interventions to meet programmatic needs while ensuring Value for Money (VfM), including procurement of fit for purpose products and services, and providing advisory support to governments, national systems and partners on supply chain management;
• Leveraging governance, systems, and tools to provide regular feedback on risks, mitigation measures and achievements of operations functions in the country;
• Leading on facility management with a specific focus on inclusive accessibility, eco sustainability and common premises;
• Overseeing business transactions processed by GSSC from a perspective of Efficiency, Performance, Risk Management and Fraud prevention
• Supporting the management of PSFR operations and promoting efficiency across systems and processes, where applicable.

The Deputy Representative, Operations will be entrusted with the following five pillars, the core focus of all operations functions: Valuing People, Valuing Money, Valuing Risk Management, Valuing Systems and Structures, Valuing Partners.

In fragile and humanitarian contexts, the Deputy Representative will support the Representative to deliver timely, efficient and principled humanitarian action and advocacy in accordance with UNICEF global Policy and Framework for humanitarian action; including ensuring, where appropriate, that UNICEF CLA responsibilities are fulfilled. 

Within the context of the provision of Common Services Centre (CSC) services for UNICEF entities located in Thailand, including but not limited to the Thailand Country Office (TCO), Asia Pacific Regional Office (APRO), the Climate Centre of Excellence (CoE), and outposted programme groups, the incumbent will:

• Act as a member of the CSC governance structure, including supporting the establishment and operationalization of the first CSC Governing Board in coordination with the newly established APRO structure.
• Manage a group of professional and support staff to ensure effective, equitable, efficient and smooth delivery of operational functions under the CSC framework, including maintenance and periodic review of the CSC service catalogue.
• Coordinate with GSSC and relevant operational stakeholders to determine the appropriate division and optimization of operational functions at country, regional and global levels through systematic reviews of service quality, efficiency and operational effectiveness in support of programme delivery for children.
• Support systematic reviews of CSC financing modalities, including development and refinement of cost attribution and other operational cost recovery models.
• Support implementation of Thailand Country Office (TCO) programme, DRR, humanitarian and Private Sector Fundraising (PSFR) operational functions.
• Ensure that operational support services are delivered in full compliance with UNICEF rules, regulations, policies and procedures, while taking into consideration the differing operational requirements, programme structures and operating environments of hosted entities and clients.
• Be entrusted with the following five pillars, which represent the core focus of all operations functions: Valuing People, Valuing Money, Valuing Risk Management, Valuing Systems and Structures, and Valuing Partners.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job description here:  Job Description.pdf

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

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 Comptable) from an internationally recognized institute/body of accountancy with valid membership in good standing is required.

• Work experience: 

  A minimum of 8 years of recent professional experience, at the national and international level in similar role, 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; human resources.

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

  Recent experience leading PSFR Operations and supporting private sector fundraising or relevant operational experience is highly desired.

  Experience leading strategic organizational change, managing complexity, and supporting high-performing client-oriented operational service functions is required.

  Field experience in a middle- or low-income country context is required.

  Experience supporting emergency preparedness, humanitarian response, business continuity, and operational support in complex environments, including natural disasters, conflict-affected populations, displacement, and cross-border emergencies, is desirable.

  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, international NGO, or large public or private sector organization is desirable.

  Experience working with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) is highly desirable.

  Experience in Results-Based Management is required.

  Demonstrated experience managing multidisciplinary teams and leading technical specialists in complex organizational settings is required.

  Strong leadership, people management, collaboration, communication, and change management skills are essential, with a demonstrated ability to foster innovation and build effective partnerships across diverse stakeholders.

• Language Requirements: 

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

Desirables:

• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts. 

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

(8) Nurtures, leads and manages people

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is either a role with direct contact with children, a role that works directly with identifiable children’s data, a safeguarding response role, or an assessed risk role. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) apply.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility un-jobs.net UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., Application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

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.