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 a Chance

How can you make a difference?

The effective performance of the Operations Officer directly contributes to Office of Strategy & Evidence - OSE’s operational effectiveness and ability to deliver on its strategic mandate by ensuring efficient, responsive and fit-for-purpose operational services. Through these results, the Operations Officer contributes to a well-governed, efficient and fit-for-purpose Operations function that enables OSE teams to focus on their substantive mandate and supports OSE in delivering high-quality strategy, evidence and knowledge in support of UNICEF’s results for children.
The ability of the Operations Officer to support assessment, mitigation, monitoring, review and reporting on the most significant risks that could potentially harm the organization, 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.

As part of the OSE Operations team and under the supervision of the Chief of Operations, the Operations & Administrative Officer (P2) will provide professional oversight, coordination and technical support for the effective delivery of administrative and operational services across OSE.
The P2 will supervise designated General Service staff within the Operations function, providing guidance, oversight and support to ensure effective performance, foster a positive and inclusive work environment, and support staff development and career growth.
The position will contribute to the strategic oversight and effective management of OSE’s administrative operations, encompassing premises and facilities management, administrative and common services, events management, protocol, security and Business Continuity, local procurement and related office services. The Operations Officer will support the planning and implementation of complex operational initiatives and contribute to strengthening governance, internal controls and risk management across these areas. Through risk-informed analysis, effective coordination and application of Value for Money (VfM) principles, the position will support management in ensuring that operational arrangements are efficient, compliant, sustainable and responsive to OSE’s evolving business needs and strategic priorities.
The incumbent will work closely with internal stakeholders, service providers, host-country counterparts and relevant UNICEF and UN common services units and UN country team counterparts.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Download File Operations_Officer_Administration_P2.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

Education: A first level university degree (bachelor or equivalent) in one of the following areas is required: business management, financial management, accounting, public finance and any other related operations function like supply chain, human resources, information technology, international business, project management etc.
Work Experience: At least 2 years of professional experience in one or more operations management areas is required, including administration, facilities management, procurement, travel, budget or supply chain.
Skills: Understanding of Results Based Management principles and ability to apply them for operational planning and monitoring is a requirement. Candidates must also demonstrate digital fluency, including proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, and the ability to quickly learn, adopt, and make effective use of emerging technologies - including AI-enabled tools, business intelligence platforms (e.g., Power BI), workflow automation solutions, and enterprise systems - to enhance productivity, optimize operational processes, and support informed decision-making.
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 a UN system agency, large private or public company
Experience in working in an HQ or Regional Division setting
Proven experience in negotiating with suppliers, service providers, institutional counterparts and local authorities in a high-compliance or European setting
Proven experience in organizing high-level events with multi-stakeholder coordination
Experience in working in or coordinating with Common Services units
Experience in supporting successful client-oriented work units
Experience in working with corporate ERPs (Enterprise Resource Planning) and IPSAS (International Public Sector Accounting Standards)
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 candidates 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.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.

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.

Operations Officer (P-2), Fixed Term Position, #138448, OSE-Innocenti, Florence - Italy