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 advocacy

How can you make a difference?

Madagascar remains one of the countries facing significant development and humanitarian challenges, with children being disproportionately affected by poverty, climate shocks, recurrent emergencies, limited access to basic services, and persistent inequalities. UNICEF Madagascar works alongside the Government, development partners, civil society and communities to promote and protect the rights of every child through integrated programmes in health, nutrition, education, child protection, social policy, WASH and emergency response. To deliver results efficiently and accountably in such a complex operating environment, UNICEF relies on strong operational systems, effective risk management practices, and robust oversight mechanisms. The Operations function plays a critical role in ensuring that financial, administrative and governance processes support programme delivery while safeguarding resources and maintaining compliance with organizational policies and standards. Within this context, the Senior Operations Associate (Risk Management and HACT) contributes to strengthening the office’s risk management and assurance framework. The position supports proactive identification and mitigation of operational, fiduciary and compliance risks, quality assurance of HACT activities and follow-up of corrective actions, while promoting efficient use of resources and continuous process improvement. Working closely with programme and operations teams, implementing partners and field offices, the incumbent contributes to enhancing accountability, transparency, value for money and organizational performance, thereby supporting UNICEF Madagascar in achieving sustainable results for children.

Join UNICEF Madagascar's Operations team and play a key role in strengthening accountability, risk management and oversight systems that support the delivery of results for children. As Senior Operations Associate (Risk Management and HACT), you will contribute to the effective implementation of the office's risk management framework and provide critical support to assurance activities under the Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT). In this role, you will coordinate risk monitoring and reporting processes, support HACT planning and implementation, facilitate follow-up on audit and assurance recommendations, and contribute to strengthening internal controls and compliance mechanisms. You will work closely with programme and operations teams, field offices and implementing partners to promote transparency, mitigate risks and improve operational effectiveness. Through your expertise and collaboration, you will help ensure that UNICEF resources are managed responsibly and efficiently to achieve sustainable results for children across Madagascar.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Download File JD Senior Operations Associate GS7.pdf

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

Minimum requirements

Education: Completion of secondary education is required
Work Experience: At least 7 years of progressively responsible relevant experience in operations, finance/internal control, audit/compliance, implementing partnership management and/or risk management.
Skills:
- Good understanding of risk management, internal controls and compliance principles.
- Strong ability to analyze data and produce concise management reports and dashboards.
- Ability to work with multiple stakeholders and manage competing priorities with rigor and discretion.
Language Requirements: Fluency in French is required

Desirables

Working knowledge of English, knowledge of Malagasy,
A university degree (Bachelor’s) is an asset in a relevant field such as business administration, finance/accounting, audit, risk management, project management, economics, or related areas.
Experience with HACT and/or assurance over cash transfers to implementing partners,
Practical knowledge of the HACT framework and assurance activities (micro-assessments, spot checks, audits, programme visits),
Proficiency in office tools (advanced Excel desirable) and corporate systems (e.g., VISION, eTools/HACT, eGRC/IPM or equivalents)
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

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

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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 | 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, discrimination, fraud, corruption and other forms of serious misconduct.

UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference, safeguarding and background verification checks. These checks may include verification of academic credentials and employment history, screening against relevant United Nations misconduct databases, and requests for misconduct disclosures from current and former employers, professional associations, other relevant organizations and participating organizations under inter-agency safeguarding initiatives, including the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), where applicable.

Appointment, selection and continued engagement are subject to the satisfactory completion of all required checks. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information and consent to enable UNICEF to undertake these 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, 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 are conditional on the selected candidates' willingness to comply with current or future vaccination requirements, should UNICEF mandate it for personnel. Failure to comply with such requirements, where applicable and without a duly approved medical exemption from the relevant UN authority, will result in the cancellation of the selection or may lead to other administrative measures, including separation from service.

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 qualified female candidates and persons with disabilities 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.

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.

Visa residence requirements: i.e. UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.

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.

Senior Operations Associate, G-7, Fixed Term Position, #00011329, Antananarivo, Madagascar - ESAR