Operations Analyst (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

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.

UNDP invests in improving access to rights and services through strengthening effective, inclusive and accountable governing institutions, promoting a transparent, gender-sensitive and digitalized public administration with innovative solutions. UNDP focuses on the advancement rule of law and access to justice and facilitates people’s meaningful participation – in particular, women and youth - in decision-making to promote equality and social cohesion at local level.

It serves as the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels offer a spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy.

UNDP has been a key development partner of the Government of Suriname and its people since 1994. Under the current Country Program 2022-2026, UNDP supports Suriname in a number of programmatic areas such as Democratic Governance, Social Development and Inclusion, Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resource Management.

These programmatic areas are interlinked, integrating nature-based solutions, digitalization, innovation, justice and social services with the engagement of stakeholders that are relevant to all programmatic areas, including the Indigenous and Tirbal peoples, local communities, NGOs, academia and others. UNDP Suriname will soon embark on the formulation of the new Country Program Document 2027-2031.

The Operations Unit plays a key role in delivering on the objectives of the UNDP’s Country Programme in Suriname. The incumbent will be expected to contribute substantively across the portfolio, in particular harnessing the UNDP’s operational offer and capacity to support Suriname’s national development efforts.

Position Purpose

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative (DRR), the Operations Analyst acts as an advisor to Senior Management on all aspects of Country Office (CO) management and operations. This includes strategic management of financial and human resources, efficient procurement and logistical services and ICT consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. The Operations Analyst’s main role is to lead, constantly evaluate, and adjust the operations of the Country Office to ensure consistent services delivery and smooth functioning of the CO programmes and projects.

The Operations Analyst leads and guides the (CO) Operations Team and fosters collaboration within the team, and with programme staff and other UN Agencies using a client-oriented approach. The Operations Analyst works in close collaboration with programme and project teams in the CO, Operations staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP HQ staff and Government officials to successfully deliver the country programme.
UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities

1.) Ensures implementation of the strategic direction of RBLAC operations as per the guidance from the DRR, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Full compliance of operations with UN/UNDP rules, regulations and policies, implementation of corporate operational strategies, establishment of management targets and monitoring of achievement of results.
• Follow-up on established collaborate arrangements with partners, a client relationship management system for quality and efficiency purposes and appropriate operational partnership arrangements.
• RBLAC business processes mapping and implementation of internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in various operational areas.
• Constant monitoring and analysis of the operating environment, timely readjustment of the operations, advice on efficiency and compliance considerations and risk assessment.
• Provides efficient and timely data collection, analysis and clean-up of financial information and key performance indicators, through constant monitoring of reports, dashboards and other oversight tools.
• Provides timely oversight to RBLAC payroll management and position management, risk management and compliance, including ICF, HACT, IFD, AML/CFT, CO premises, civil works authorizations, travel management, among others.
• Provides efficient and timely data collection, analysis and clean-up of operations information and key performance indicators, related to UN Reform and related initiatives (BOS, CBO, Common Premises, etc.).

2.) Contribute to effective and accurate financial resources management, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Facilitate the oversight of regional budgetary performance at aggregate level focusing on managerial efficiency, compliance and financial sustainability. Support proper planning, expenditure tracking and audit of financial resources, including extra-budgetary income in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations.
• Provision of guidance to proper management of the contributions’ management business process and accounting for contributions to ensure that the money due to UNDP is properly identified, consistently and uniformly classified, recorded on a timely basis and received with sufficient supporting documentation.
• Provision of guidance to the management of all financial resources (both management and development projects) through planning, guiding, monitoring and controlling of the resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations.
• Preparation and monitoring of projects’ budgets in Quantum, IFD, project budgets, and general ledgers,
• Organization of cost-recovery mechanisms for RBLAC services provided to projects and UN Agencies, including ensuring preparation of proforma invoices for UN agencies.
• Provision of advises to the organization and oversight of RBLAC cash management processes, including liquidity management, recommendation of imprest level, risk assessment, bank relationship management; timely accounting and reconciliation of all transactions, security for cash assets on site.
• Monitoring of financial exception reports for unusual activities, transactions and investigation of anomalies or unusual transactions. Provision of information to supervisors and other UNDP staff at HQ of the results of the investigation when satisfactory answers are not obtained.
• If needed and envisaged by RBLAC may have Quantum approval rights and relevant IDAM profiles.
• All financial transactions are identified, recorded and verified in compliance with IPSAS as outlined in the corporate policies and procedures.
• Support preparation of financial reports to the senior management for strategic orientation and advice.

3.) Performs efficient operations portfolio (ICT, Procurement and HR) planning and administration, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Organization, direction and coordination of all administrative, financial and logistical activities of the CO.
• Facilitate in the preparation of project documents for submission to Senior Management, coordinating inputs from different parties and preparing the documentation for committee’s considerations.
• Preparation and submission the authorization to projects managers and country offices to undertake project-related activities and incur expenditures, monitor expenditures and advising funding agencies on budget status.
• Oversee Procurement, HR and ICT teams’ management.
• Ensuring proper and punctual procurement of goods and services; requesting quotations, examining cost estimate, and evaluating cost effectiveness of pricing. Active follow-up from procurement to delivery, including vendor management.
• Processing of all administrative requirements and follow-up to completion, including support to floor management, travel arrangements/processing, asset/inventory management and logistics.
• Ensure timely registration, population, update and cleaning of case management records, shared files, calendars and activity logs. Manage the registry and records.

4.) Ensure provision of efficient procurement, logistical and administrative services, and supervision of the Procurement team.

• Ensure CO compliance with corporate rules and regulations related to procurement and logistics.
• Develop CO procurement strategies including sourcing, supplier selection and evaluation, quality control, customer relationship management, and supplier performance evaluation system.
• Develop CO procurement plan and ensure proper contract management, anticipating potential litigations.
• Oversee procurement processes and logistical services in compliance with procurement principles and guidelines.
• Ensure proper management of UNDP assets, facilities and logistical services, and administrative services, including full compliance with IPSAS during purchasing, utilization and disposal of the CO’s assets.

5.) Facilitate the organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff within RBLAC and if needed for Country Offices.

• Organizing/conducting training for the operations staff on financial management and RBM.
• Synthesis of lessons learned and best practices.
• Review and comment on SOP and business processes.
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Integrate/aggregate results from country and regional programmes to inform strategic decision making, obtain CO buy-in on regional priorities.

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 personnel.

Competencies

Core Competencies

• ACHIEVE RESULTS - LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work.
• THINK INNOVATEVELY - LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking.
• LEARN CONTINUOUSLY - LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning.
• ADAPT WITH AGILITY - LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process.
• ACT WITH DETERMINATION - LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously.
• ENGAGE AND PARTNER - LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships.
• ENABLE DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION - LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making.

People Management

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

Cross-Functional Competencies

• BUSINESS DIRECTION & STRATEGY
  Technical Competencies Required Skills and Experience Education: Experience: Additional desirable criteria: Languages: Important applicant information All posts in the NO categories are subject to local recruitment. 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. 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. 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.
  • STRATEGIC THINKING: Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight.
  • 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.
  • BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
    • CUSTOMER SATISFACTION/CLIENT MANAGEMENT: Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.
    • COMMUNICATION: Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.
    • PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT: Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization's programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management.
  • OPERATIONS
    • FINANCE ACCOUNTING (GENERAL): Knowledge of accounting concepts, principles, frameworks, standards, regulations, policies and trends, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situation.
    • PROCUREMENT - CONTRACT MANAGEMENT: Knowledge of contract management concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations.
  • Advanced university degrees (master’s degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Economics, or related field is required. Or
  • A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
  • Applicants with a master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience.
  • Applicants with a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience at national or international level, in providing management advisory services and/or managing operational systems, oversight of business processes, and establishing relationships with international organizations and national governments and business clients.
  • Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), and web-based management systems such as ERP is desirable.
  • Experience and good knowledge of accrual accounting, IPSAS or IFRS is desirable.
  • At least 2 years of experience with responsibility in the area of procurement, finance, administration and/ or HR is desirable.
  • Experience in team management and supervision of teams is an asset.
  • At least 2 years’ experience in the development field is desirable.
  • Experience and kknowledge of local labour market and laws is an advantage.
  • Experience working with UN Agencies or other international organizations is an advantage.
  • Fluency in English and Dutch is required.