Senior Operations Officer, Abuja

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Qualifications

Purpose of the Position

The incumbent will provide guidance to the head of the WHO country office in Nigeria and oversee the delivery of efficient, effective and timely operational services for the WHO country office in Nigeria. This includes financial and human resources management, procurement, information and communications technology (ICT), security and general administration, in compliance with organizational policies, regulations and procedures. The role holder proposes methods and adjustments to processes that respond to changes in the operating environment, in particular in emergency settings.

Objectives of the Programme

Country Management Support Units (CSUs) have been established in the organizational structure to provide support for Managers and staff to fully assume their responsibilities in the GSM and BMS environments and to ensure compliance with organizational policies, procedures, rules and regulations on all administrative and financial matters.

Description of Duties 

The incumbent will perform all or part of the following, and other related responsibilities as required by the needs of the office.

• Provide authoritative advice to the head of the WHO country office and other staff at the country office, field offices and projects on all aspects of country office operations, interpreting policies, systems and procedures and ensuring compliance.

• Lead, empower, and manage staff and operations teams in delivering the full range of services in budget and finance, human resources, procurement, information and communication technologies, security and staff safety, and general administration, in compliance with organizational policies, regulations and procedures.

• Provide appropriate solutions grounded in sound policy compliance and creative responsiveness to business needs. As a key member of the management team, provide strategic advice on the overall direction of the WHO country office.

• Ensure effective and accurate financial resources management including proper planning and monitoring of income and expenditures; reconciliation and reporting of accounts, budget preparation and management, and optimal award and cash management.

• Guide in the formulation, negotiation, and consultation of project proposals funded by external agencies; ensuring their adherence to the Organization's administrative and financial rules and regulations.

• Advise the head of the country office on and oversee the formulation and implementation of the country office Human Resources (HR) plans, ensuring the timely availability through recruitment and contract management, engagement, retention, performance management, development, career management, gender balance and diversity of a suitable human resource capability.

• Guide in the planning process with focus on administrative/budgetary related policies and procedures and be responsible for management and implementation of WHO country office workplans, including reporting as required.

• Lead on the procurement of goods and services required for management of country office and support to technical programs, ensuring best value for money in procurement practices.

• Ensure the provision of office and staff security and safety services in coordination with designated security officials under UN Common services' agreements.

• In emergency settings, plan, recommend and implement systems, norms and procedures, in compliance with existing policies and standard operating procedures, for the administration monitoring, control and evaluation of human, financial and material resources processes within the incident management system.

• Advise the WHO country office on internal operational and administrative risks to the country office and propose risk mitigation measures.
  Introduce innovations for improved efficiencies and effectiveness in WHO country office performance in operations, responsive to emergency situations and changes in the operating environment.

• Coordinate with the Business Operations network to harmonize business processes, workflows, standards, business continuity planning and technical requirements.

• Represent the WHO country office and participate actively in the UN operations management team and other Inter-Agency coordinating Mechanisms, sharing relevant information with colleagues and ensuring implementation of decisions taken by the heads of the agencies.

  Recruitment Profile 

  Education

  Essential: Advanced university degree (Master's) in finance, management, accountancy, economics, or business administration or equivalent areas.

  Desirable: A university degree (Bachelor's) or training or certification in human resources, accounting, finance, monitoring and evaluation.

  Experience

  Essential: A minimum of ten years of work experience relevant for the position (delivering administrative and managerial services, ensuring compliance with complex rules and procedures in both national and international settings). A minimum of four years of experience in managing and leading staff/teams.

• Desirable:

Relevant experience with WHO, United Nations funds and programmes, or equivalent organizations.

Experience delivering operational services in a developing country.

Experience managing operations and large teams in an emergency context.

Good knowledge of programme management and end-to-end business processes.Good knowledge of enterprise resource planning systems.

Knowledge and Skills

Thorough knowledge of administrative, financial and management principles, procedures, and policies of large international public-sector organizations.

Expertise in the principles and practices of administration, programme and project management.

High-level managerial and analytical skills.

Demonstrated ability to analyse financial data and develop related business strategies and policies, and provide recommendations on key administrative issues.
Ability to lead, direct and manage an interdisciplinary team.

Ability to represent the organization, build alliances, and negotiate with government, UN agencies and other development partners.

Ability to cultivate partnerships and maintain excellent interpersonal working relations.

Ability to work with competing priorities under pressure.

Information Technology and Other Skills
Proficiency in computers and office software packages.

Handling of web-based management systems.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems.

Cloud Management Enterprise System such as Workday.

WHO Global Competencies

Teamwork 

Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences 

Communication 

Producing results

Ensuring the effective use of resources

Creating an empowering and motivating environment.

Languages:

Essential: Expert level of English (ability to read, write and speak).

Additional Information

Staff members separated due to the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will receive special consideration according to the applicable regulatory framework.
This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.
Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.
In the event your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
According to 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. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.
Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and eManual.
The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description, including shortening the duration of the appointment.
WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States ( are strongly encouraged to apply.
Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations (modifications or adjustments to the application or recruitment process) to support their participation in the application and recruitment process. Please send an email to View email address on uncareer.net with your full name, the vacancy number you are applying for, and specific details of the accommodation needed in your request.
An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter ( into practice.
WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
WHO also offers a wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.
The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.
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Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service.
Candidates appointed to a fixed-term position in the International Professional category (Grades P1-D2) are eligible for Geographical Mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.
Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at View email address on uncareer.net.
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