Operations Specialist, NO-3, Fixed Term Position, Kabul, Afghanistan, #00138030- SAR (Afghan Nationals Only)

Role summary How can you make a difference? The fundamental and primary mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in child survival, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations. Strategic office context : Afghanistan is one of two remaining polio endemic countries globally. In 2025, twenty-one cases of wild poliovirus cases were detected in children and in 2026, as of June, 6 cases of wild poliovirus have been detected in children, highlighting ongoing transmission of the virus and the urgent need for outbreak control measures. Additionally, Afghanistan ranks second among countries with the highest number (490,000) of children who have not received any routine vaccine dose in South Asia region and eighth globally. In 2025, one in two children completed their full schedule of routine vaccinations by one year of age (AHS 2025). The routine immunization system in Afghanistan is challenged with several factors including access into remote communities, declining funding for vaccine procurement and vaccination outreaches, mass displacement of populations, and rapid turnover of frontline workers. The low vaccination coverage and prevailing challenges have led to low quality of immunization with frequent occurrence of vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks, including measles and poliomyelitis. Furthermore, health emergencies, conflicts and resulting population displacements have strained the health system, while weaknesses in health governance, financing and delivery, compounded by socio-cultural barriers, hinder access to quality health care. This picture is worsened by the shortage of human resources and their unequal distribution, the insufficiency of medical supplies, the low performance of health information systems and the existence of a weak community health system. These gaps in the health system in the context of humanitarian response in Afghanistan need to be urgently addressed to ensure the health and well-being of the most vulnerable children in Afghanistan. UNICEF’s work in Afghanistan provides the opportunity to work on Humanitarian-Development-Peace nexus approach to strengthen links between different interventions in humanitarian and development context, helping build more resilient health systems and communities while contributing to risk reduction. Purpose of the job ( Please outline the overall responsibility of this position) The Operations Specialist reports to the Chief of Immunization as per the Country Office set-up for supervision and guidance and works in close relationship with the Operations Section, the Supply & Logistics Section and the People & Culture Section of the Afghanistan Country Office. The Operations Specialist provides technical and operational support to ensure the effective, efficient, and accountable delivery of Polio Section’s programme. The role involves supporting the management of financial, human resources, administrative, and supply functions, ensuring compliance with UNICEF policies and procedures, and contributing to the achievement of results for children. The Operations Specialist will accomplish this by: · Operational Support: o Provide technical guidance and support within the Polio Section in the areas of finance, human resources, administration, and supply management. o Ensure compliance with UNICEF’s operational policies, procedures, and standards. o Support the implementation of operational strategies and initiatives in close relationship with the ACO Operations Section to improve efficiency and effectiveness. · Financial Management: o Monitor and report on the use of financial resources. o Support budget planning, allocation, and monitoring processes. o Ensure timely and accurate financial reporting. · Human Resources Management: o Under the lead of the ACO People & Culture Section, support recruitment, onboarding, and performance management processes in relationship with the People & Culture Section. o In close coordination with the ACO People & Culture Section, provide guidance on HR policies and procedures in the Polio Section · Administrative and Supply Management: o Liaise with and in coordination with the ACO Finance & Administrative Section to oversee office administration, asset management, and logistics. o Support procurement processes and ensure timely delivery of goods and services. · Capacity Building: o Provide training and guidance to staff on operational processes and systems in line with the ACO Operations Section. o Promote knowledge sharing and best practices. · Risk Management and Compliance: o In close coordination with the ACO Risk Management Unit, identify operational risks and propose mitigation measures. o Ensure compliance with internal controls and audit requirements. · Coordination and Partnership: o In coordination with the ACO Resource Mobilization Unit, liaise with internal and external partners to facilitate operational support. o Represent the Polio Section in operational meetings and working groups as required. The Operations Specialist 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. Duties and responsibilities Key functions/accountabilities: Valuing People: Develop people resources in the Polio Section to promote technical competence and foster career progression and retention of a “fit for purpose”/ agile workforce In close coordination with the People & Culture Section: · Facilitate an environment of management excellence, staff well-being and accessibility and inclusion through implementation of strategies, policies, and procedures. · Implement solutions and advise office management on people management and office culture. · Coordinate human resource development and resourcing strategies to bring about changes in knowledge, skills, abilities and mind sets. Valuing Money: Champion strategic resources to achieve organizational goals and ensure Value for Money (VfM) · Support the Polio Section on options to generate greater VfM. · Lead the financial oversight management, monitoring and reporting in the Polio Section of the Annual Management Plan and make analysis and recommendations for the head of section to take risk informed decisions. · In coordination with the ACO Operations Section, implement various modalities of valuing resources through financing modalities such as budgeting and pre-financing modalities for supplies, cash-based transfer etc. · Oversee implementation of Supply plan for the office and stay abreast of the regional strategies. Valuing Risk Management: Enhance Risk Management to increase organizational performance and strengthen internal control In close coordination with the Risk Management Unit: · Support the office with up-to-date information to make operational and programmatic risk informed decisions and improve performance. · Participate in testing of business continuity plans to ensure Afghanistan Country Office’s resilience to disaster and risks and staff safety and security as well as emergency response to humanitarian situations. · Support implementation mandatory anti-fraud systems, processes and actions, and share anti-fraud achievements within the office. Facilitate mitigation of risks of engagement with external partners via appropriate, risk-informed due diligence. Valuing Systems and Structures: Ensure further operational centralization and optimization for maximized efficiency gains · In coordination with the ACO Operations Section, review and recommend simplification of Operations processes to minimize cost, reduce duplication of work and maximize efficiencies while creating an environment of smarter controls to render the Polio Section’s agile, resilient and ready to respond to programme needs. · Facilitate compliance with systems by building awareness and capacity of users, explore new ways of working to increase productivity and collaboration, better knowledge management, and ensure effective use of UNICEF assets. · Provide key contribution to the development of the section’s AWP and budget. Valuing Partners: Strengthening internal and external-facing partnerships and leveraging UNICEF’s oversight and understanding of financial management across all areas of the office. · Ensure implementation of HACT procedures, including advice approach to undertaking spot checks, follow-up actions required on result of financial assurance activities; the use and collaboration with audit activities; and use of micro-assessment results including the appropriate level of capacity building in financial management. · Support ACO Resource Mobilization Unit on the development of donor agreements and contracts through written financial reporting, resolve discrepancies and ensure donor accountability and transparency. · Foster a positive and enabling operations environment that supports fundraising activities and solution-focused engagement. Impact of Result The ability of the Operations Specialist to effectively implement the operations functions in the Polio Section for the efficient delivery of related services, directly impact on the section’s performance, resource mobilization and delivery of results for children. This in turn contributes to maintaining/enhancing the credibility of the Polio Eradication programme as an effective and responsible manager of funds and resources entrusted to the Afghanistan Country Office and to furthering its image as a competent organization for delivering cost effective and sustainable program results in regular and emergency settings. The ability of the Operations Specialist to support assessment, mitigation, monitoring, review and reporting on the most significant risks that could potentially harm the Afghanistan Country Office, is a critical element of UNICEF’s risk and internal control performance management framework. Risk management skills are necessary to safeguard UNICEF’s reputation, resources, continuity of operations and reputation to fulfill our primary mission to save and protect children, globally. Job requirements To qualify as a champion 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.) is required or a full professional accounting designation from an internationally recognized institute/body of accountancy with valid membership in good standing is required. Work Experience: A minimum of 5 years of professional experience, at the national and/or international level, is required, specifically in implementing 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. Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset. Desirables Experience in working with SAP/VISION and IPSAS (International Public Sector Accounting Standards) is highly desirable. Knowledge of Results Based Management is a requirement.