Operations Manager (Open to internal and external applicants)

Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0 : UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1 : Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2 : UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated : All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

The UNDP South Africa Country Office will implement its Country Program for the period 2026–2030 through two complementary program portfolios, designed as the main pathways for transformative change. The first portfolio focuses on inclusive economy and governance transformation, integrating wealth creation, economic transformation and economic governance as mutually reinforcing drivers of inclusive development, with economic governance positioned as a core enabling function across the portfolio.

The second portfolio focuses on climate action, natural wealth and resilience, leveraging South Africa’s biodiversity, minerals and energy assets to advance sustainable growth through climate finance, nature‑based solutions, ecological infrastructure and just‑transition measures.

The program architecture applies a systems approach to ensure strategic coherence, adaptive management and the mobilization of blended finance across interconnected interventions. Implementation across both portfolios relies on partnerships, innovative financing mechanisms, digital solutions and adaptive management, placing strong demands on a modern, efficient and business‑oriented operations platform.

Operation unit is therefore expected to function as a high‑performing service and business unit, informed by robust operational intelligence and analystics, capable of identifying effeciencies and opportunities, delivering quality services at scale, enabling common and shared services, supporting inter‑agency collaboration, and contributing to the financial sustainability and resilience of the Country Office over the CPD period.

Position Purpose

Under the overall guidance of the Resident Representative (RR) and direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative (DRR), the Operations Manager leads and manages the Country Office operations platform to ensure efficient service delivery, financial sustainability and client satisfaction. The role is responsible for operational performance, service quality, cost management, revenue generation and people leadership, ensuring that operations function as a net‑positive, business‑minded unit. The Operations Manager provides business intelligence, analytics and operational insights to senior management and Programme team, to support evidence‑based decision‑making, without assuming programme delivery, CPD ownership or compliance governance responsibilities. The Operations Manager further represents the Country Office in the UN inter agency bodies leading the service offer and business development across the UN system and with external partners.

Key Duties and Accountabilities

1. Operational Advisory Services to CO Management:

• Ensure full compliance of operations with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies, and Internal Control Framework (ICF);
• Provide data‑driven operational advice and insights to senior management;
• Develop and use business intelligence, dashboards and analytics to identify trends, bottlenecks and efficiency gains;
• Analyze cost structures, service utilization and turnaround times;
• Apply digital solutions, automation and AI‑enabled tools to enhance decision support;
• Identify operational and business opportunities to optimize service delivery.

2. Procurement and Asset Management:

• Lead procurement services ensuring efficiency and value for money;
• Apply procurement analytics and supplier performance data;
• Oversee lifecycle‑based asset planning, utilization and disposal;
• Guide procurement unit in providing procurement solutions aligned with clients’ needs.

3. Finance Management and Financial Sustainability:

• Manage finance as a business enabler supporting sustainability;
• Ensure strong cost control, forecasting and budget discipline;
• Drive net‑positive performance, cost recovery and reserve building;
• Use financial modelling to inform pricing and service offers;
• Conduct financial oversight and compliance over the Finance unit, ensuring financial data integrity for UNDP and external clients.

4. Information and Communication Management and Supervision of ICT Team:

• Ensure ERP functionality is used for improved business results and improved client services;
• Identify opportunities and ways of converting business processes into web-based systems to address the issues of efficiency and full accountability;
• Maintain a secure, reliable infrastructure environment for ICT and adequate planning for disasters and recoveries. Update the ICT Disaster Recovery Plan on a regular basis;
• Identify and promote different systems and applications for optimal content management, knowledge sharing, information provision and learning including e-registry and web-based office management system, etc.

5. Human Resources Management and People Leadership:

• Ensure CO compliance with corporate human resources policies and strategies;
• Advise on optimal staffing of the office and projects;
• Lead, manage and develop operations staff;
• Use HR analytics to improve workforce productivity;
• Strengthen team connectivity and end‑to‑end service delivery;
• Promote accountability, teamwork, client orientation, learning and innovation.

6. Administration and Logistics:

• Oversee facilities, logistics, travel and administrative services;
• Improve efficiency through process optimization and digitalization;
• Ensure business continuity and operational readiness.

7. Ensure forward-looking information and communication management and supervision of ICT team:

• Ensure ERP functionality is used for improved business results and improved client services;
• Identify opportunities and ways of converting business processes into web-based systems to address the issues of efficiency and full accountability;
• Maintain a secure, reliable infrastructure environment for ICT and adequate planning for disasters and recoveries. Update the ICT Disaster Recovery Plan regularly;
• Identify and promote different systems and applications for optimal content management, knowledge sharing, information provision and learning including e-registry and web-based office management system, etc.

8. Common Services and Inter‑Agency / External Support:

• Develop and manage common and shared services;
• Position the CO as a service provider for UN agencies and partners;
• Design costing models, service standards and performance monitoring;
• Support revenue generation and sustainability.

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: Supervise and manage UNDP Country Office operations staff.

Competencies

Core Competencies

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact;
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems;
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and