Operations Manager, Digital Inclusion Section

Job no: 596777

Contract type: Fixed Term Appointment

Duty Station: Geneva

Level: P-4

Location: Switzerland

Categories: Operations

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.

For every child, the right to Digital opportunities

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF’s Digital Impact Division (DID) builds and operates UNICEF’s digital foundations, including modern enterprise platforms, digital products, infrastructure and AI capabilities, and sets the digital guardrails that keep them secure and resilient through cybersecurity and risk-informed security, while partnering with programme teams, country offices and governments to responsibly scale digital solutions.

The Strategic Enablers pillar is a core element of UNICEF’s Digital Impact Strategy, acting as the structural backbone of the division. This pillar brings together key enablers—People & Culture, Communications, Operations and Artificial Intelligence — to create an integrated ecosystem for sustainable digital impact. The Operations Team provides the foundational processes, governance, and infrastructure that support agile delivery and scale, including procurement, financing mechanisms, and enterprise architecture alignment.

UNICEF’s Digital Inclusion (DI) programme supports governments and partners to improve equitable, affordable digital access for children, schools, and communities.

Reporting to the DID Chief of Operations, the Operations Manager is a strategic business partner and functional expert of DI's operational and administrative services that is accountable for managerial leadership and policy guidance to ensure the seamless execution of DI's mission. The role ensures that DI's operational strategies are robust, efficient, and scalable, supporting both the Switzerland base and the Barcelona technology centre.

Key Functions, Accountabilities And Duties

Policy, Procedures, and Strategies
Budget Preparation and Implementation
Geneva/Barcelona Office Coordination of Administrative Support and Services
Property Management
Contract Arrangement and Control
Leadership and People Management
Other Duties as Assigned by DID Chief of Operations

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

Minimum Requirements

Education: An Advanced University Degree (master's or equivalent) 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, etc). A first level university degree in a relevant field combined with an internationally recognized professional accounting designation (CA, ACA, ACCA CPA, CIMA, CPFA, or Expert Comptable) and 2 additional years of relevant work 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 areas including budget, financial management and reporting, facilities management, administration, supply and logistics management, information and communication technology, human resources. Experience with UNICEF or within the UN system is required. Experience in Results Based Management is required. Previous hands-on experience in strategic operations is required.
Skills: Microsoft Office, risk management, compliance, process improvement, digital tools, automation, policy, business intelligence, administration.
Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.

Desirables

Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language
Experience in one or more of the following areas: Audit and investigations, Safety and security, Grant Management, Enterprise Risk Management
Experience in working with corporate ERPs (Enterprise Resource Planning) and IPSAS (International Public Sector Accounting Standards)
Experience with open-source tech communities or previous exposure to such work
Experience working in or managing distributed teams
Experience in a large private or public company, or experience working in a developing country and/or humanitarian/ emergency context
Experience in supporting successful client-oriented work units
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.

UNICEF Competencies Required For This Post Are…

Builds and maintains partnerships
Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
Drive to achieve results for impact
Innovates and embraces change
Manages ambiguity and complexity
Thinks and acts strategically
Works collaboratively with others
Nurtures, leads and manages people

For more information and to apply, please visit our website via the apply button below.