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

People Management

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found on the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional/Technical competencies

Business Direction & Strategy

• Systems Thinking

  • Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

• Strategic Thinking

  • Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions;
  • Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP.

Business Management

• Resource Management

  • Ability to allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical way in line with principles of accountability and integrity.

• Portfolio Management

  • Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s program and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment.

• Customer Satisfaction/Client Management

  • Ability to respond timely and appropriately with sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customer needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients’ immediate requests;
  • Ability to anticipate clients’ upcoming needs and concerns.
• Risk Management
  • Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively manage risks.

Procurement

• Procurement Management

  • The ability to acquire goods, services or works from an outside external source.

Finance

• Accounting (General)

  • Knowledge of accounting concepts, principles, frameworks, standards, regulations, policies and trends, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Finance, Management, Economics or a related field is required. or;
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above fields in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience, Knowledge and Skills

• Minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services and/or managing institutional operational systems;
• Solid experience in leading/supervising diverse teams and managing cross-functional operational units including Finance, Procurement, administration, and Human Resources teams is required;
• Experience and proven knowledge of accrual accounting, IPSAS or IFRS is required;
• Proven ability to design and implement operational systems, including SOPs, process improvement initiatives, internal control mechanisms and client-oriented service delivery systems is highly desired;
• Demonstrated experience in applying digital tools, analytics and automation to improve service delivery and performance is highly desired;
• Experience in developing and generating business intelligence, carrying out data analytics to inform senior-level decision making and performance improvement;
• Track record of managing operations in complex institutional environments, including coordination with internal and external stakeholders;
• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), and web-based management systems such as ERP is required.

Required Language(s) 

• Fluency in English required;
• Fluency in the national language of the duty station is required for local staff (i.e. Zulu, Xhosa etc.).

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Probation

For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.