Background:

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

UN Women Country Office in the Kyrgyz Republic was established in 2012 to support the Government and other national stakeholders in implementing international and national commitments on gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, UN Security Council resolutions on women, peace and security, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Guided by the UN Women Strategic Plan and the Country Strategic Note, and operating within the framework of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2023–2027, the National Gender Equality Strategy until 2030, and the National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325, the Country Office leverages its triple mandate of normative support, UN system coordination and operational activities to deliver coherent and impactful results.

UN Women Kyrgyzstan implements a programme that promotes women’s leadership and meaningful participation in all spheres of public and private life; eliminates all forms of violence against women and girls; advances women’s full, equal and effective participation in the peace and security agenda and in all aspects of decision-making; strengthens financing for gender equality; and expands women’s economic empowerment. The Country Office also prioritizes gender-responsive humanitarian action, disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, and increasingly applies innovation and systems approaches in line with the SDG transformation agenda. UN Women Kyrgyzstan works as a learning and knowledge-sharing organization and promotes an open, collaborative spirit with partners, ensuring synergies across programme interventions, fostering strong and inclusive partnerships, and maintaining a client-focused, results-oriented approach fully consistent with UN Women policies, rules and procedures.

Reporting to the Country Representative the Operations Manager in the Kyrgyzstan Country Office (CO) serves as a member of the senior management team, with oversight responsibilities for all aspects of the Kyrgyzstan CO, the Tajikistan CO and other COs and program presences in the Central Asia region operations as needed, this includes strategic financial and human resources management, efficient procurement and logistical services, security management, ICT and common services consistent with UN Women rules and regulations. The Operations Manager additionally serves as a key advisor to the Country Representative on matters of organizational integrity with the aim of ensuring: (i) compliance with UN Women policies and regulations; (ii) effective systems to support programme delivery and growth; (iii) accountability to organizational values and principles; and (iv) an enabling workplace environment in which staff potential is maximized. 

The Operations Manager leads and guides the Country Office Operations Team and fosters collaboration within the team, with programme staff and with other COs in Central Asia, other UN Agencies and a client-oriented approach. The Operations Manager works in close collaboration with programme teams in the office, providing close guidance to programme staff who perform adjunct operations functions, ensuring that such staff are knowledgeable of rules and procedures governing programme finances, donor reporting, and personnel. She/he also works in collaboration with operations staff in other UN Agencies, UN Women Central Asia COs as needed, UN Women Regional Office and HQ staff and Government officials to successfully deliver operations services. 

Key Functions and Accountabilities:

1. Manage the operations in the Kyrgyzstan Country Office  

• Serve as a member of the Senior Management team and provide advice and support to the Country Representative on operational issues; 
• Provide operations advice and support to the other COs and Program Presences in Central Asia as needed;
• In consultation with the office and with all operation staff develop an annual workplan for the Operations Team and oversee its implementation and monitoring; 
• In collaboration with the Operations team review the quality and timeliness of services provided by reference to corporate standards and by reference to standards/indicators established within the Office or Operations Unit.
• Participate in review meetings and assess the managerial and operational capacities of implementing partners in collaboration with the programme and technical team; 
• Manage business process mapping and establish internal standard operating procedures in all areas of the Operations Team’s functions; 
• Manage the implementation of corporate, budget, financial, procurement, and HR policies and systems and ensure adequate training of staff and project personnel on these issues; 
• Ensure a continuous and up-to-date flow of information between the CO, and RO and HQ; 
• Oversee all operations activities, including finance, human resources, procurement, transport, IT, security, administration and ensure they follow UN Women rules, regulations, policies and procedures; 
• Manage staff in Operations Team: Finalize performance plans and evaluation standards; conduct performance assessments, provide feedback and coaching. 

2. Oversee planning, expenditure tracking and auditing of financial resources  

• Ensure strategic and efficient management of office and programme financial resources; 
• Lead and manage Office business processes mapping and establishment of internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in Finance, Human Resources Management, Procurement, Logistical and ICT services.
• Manage budgetary planning, monitoring and exercise proper financial controls. 
• Report locally and to HQ on established structures; seek advice from RO when deviations may be necessary; 
• Work closely with Regional Office and HQ on follow-up to audit recommendations and take corrective action as appropriate on audit findings. 
• Perform Level 2 Committing Officer role in Quantum for voucher and Purchase Order (PO) approvals; 
• Ensure the CO’s compliance with Internal Control Framework, Delegation of Authority and segregation of duties and responsibilities. 

3. Oversee/Provide Human Resources services to the Country Office

• Ensure Office compliance with corporate human resources policies and strategies.
• Oversee recruitment processes in accordance with UN Women rules and regulations; liaise with the RO/HQ and service providers as necessary; 
• Lead contract management including appropriate use of different contractual modalities, and effective timely contract management. Ensure timely recruitment by good human resource planning and a proactive approach to ensuring the Office is fully always staffed.
• Engage in change management when adapting organizational structure and staffing to new programme realities.

4. Oversee procurement processes  

• Ensure Office compliance with corporate rules and regulations in the field and elaboration of the Office procurement strategies including sourcing strategy, supplier selection and evaluation, quality management, customer relationship management, e-procurement promotion and introduction, performance measurement.
• Manage the provision of goods and services for the CO and projects following established corporate procedures regarding sub-contract review and awarding of contracts, evaluate costs for cost effectiveness and manage the negotiations in connection with eventual agreements; 
• Manage the preparation of procurement plans in the CO; 
• Participate/chair in local Procurement Review Committees (PRC); 
• Ensure proper management of UN Women assets, facilities and logistical services, including full compliance with IPSAS in the accounting for the procurement, utilization and disposal of assets.

5. Oversee information and communications technology (ICT) management  

• Oversee the implementation of ICT systems; 
• Ensure staff have access to Quantum functionality for improved business results and improved client services; 
• Mange maintenance of a secure, reliable infrastructure environment for ICT and adequate planning for disasters and recoveries. 

6. Serve as the focal point for security issues and ensure safety and security of staff  

• Brief supervisor and UN Women personnel on security and safety matters and disseminate relevant information as advised by UNDSS, brief UN Women visitors on security; 
• Ensure full security and safety compliance with the UN and UN Women regulations and processes; 
• Liaise and work closely with Country Security Specialist, Regional Security Specialists and Global Security Advisor;  
• In absence of Country Security Specialist, manage day-to-day security related matters; update personnel and dependents lists; provide reports; 
• Ensure that personnel request appropriate security clearance for travel; 
• Develop and maintain Business Continuity Plan. 

7. Participate in inter-agency activities 

• Represent UN Women in inter-agency meetings and working groups on operations issues to ensure UN Women’s interests are reflected in common system activities related to common services and premises, cost recovery and cost sharing arrangements, privileges and immunities, entitlements and salary surveys, security etc.; 
• Liaise with UNDP and other UN agencies on operational issues, activities, and collaboration.  
• Ensure integrated activities on common services within the context of the UN reform.

8. Contribute to knowledge sharing between the Country Office and RO 

• Ensure knowledge is shared and adequately applied between the COs and RO in the region.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: The incumbent leads a team of operations personnel i.e. Finance Assistant and Procurement/Admin Assistant with matrix supervision to Admin/Executive Assistant. 

Competencies :

Core Values:

• Integrity;
• Professionalism;
• Respect for Diversity.

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework: 

Functional Competencies:

• Strong knowledge of operation, finance, procurement, human resources, ICT, and security systems and processes, particularly in the UN system is an asset; 
• Ability to provide advice and support; 
• Ability to lead formulation and monitoring of management projects; 
• Ability to handle confidential information 
• Good negotiating skills 
• Strong IT skills. 

Recruitment Qualifications:

Education and Certification:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, HR, or related field is required.  
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. 

Experience:

• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience at the national or international level, in office management, operations or finance; 
• Experience in leading a team is required; 
• Experience in working in a computer environment using multiple office software packages, experience in handling web-based management systems and ERP systems, preferably Oracle Cloud is required; 
• Experience of accrual accounting, IPSAS or IFRS is highly desirable;  
• Professional background in programming/ projects management is desirable. 
• Experience in the UN system is desirable. 

Languages:

• Fluency in English and Kyrgyzstan is required. 
• Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable (French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish).

Statements :

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (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.)

Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.