Senior Operations Associate

Deadline for ApplicationsFebruary 14, 2026

Hardship LevelB

Family TypeFamily

Family TypeFamily

Residential location (if applicable)

GradeGS7

Staff Member / Affiliate TypeGeneral Service

ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment

Target Start Date2026-04-01

Standard Job Description

Senior Operations Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Senior Operations Associate normally works under the supervision of the (Senior) Operations Officer. The incumbent performs a variety of functions related to the instructions and guidelines for UNHCR in the Regional Bureaux and in the Field about reporting, implementation and planning for projects within a certain geographical area.

S/he works quite independently on regular assignments with an oversight from the supervisor who provides general guidance and work plans for identifying work priorities and appropriate approaches. Work is controlled for meeting expected results and conformity to policy and procedures.

The incumbent normally supervises some support staff. Contacts on administrative/budgetary related issues are mainly with Sections/Units/Offices within the Organization and with local suppliers/services/ partners normally on routine subject matters.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR’s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties

Review operational data, regional and country operations plans and ensure that they are correctly set up by verifying indicators, budget lines, prioritization and apportioning.

Create reports; conduct regular regional, operation-specific and comparative analyses of plans through COMPASS, Cloud ERP, Power BI - Results Data Portal and Workday to create appropriate tables for the supervisor.

Check inconsistencies and/or system problems, possible programme shortfalls and advise field operations accordingly.

Contribute to capacity building in: COMPASS, Cloud ERP, Power BI - Results Data Portal, Workday and other relevant business systems.

Oversee the administrative processing of implementing instruments, sub-agreements and closure of projects at the Operations level.

Provide administrative and operational support across a range of programme activities, including but not limited to processing field requests related to financial transactions, procurement actions, and documentation for internal review and approval processes (e.g., Committee on Contracts, Budget Committee), ensuring compliance with relevant procedures and timelines.

Draft plans, reports, project documents and submissions for donor funding by drafting and reviewing text and preparing budgets.

Prepare background information of use in discussions within the Country Operations, Bureau, Divisional Support and Field Offices.

Follow-up, in close coordination with the Field, on the purchase requests with the concerned units at Headquarters and prepare draft memos with Field inputs for submission to Committee on Contract.

Liaise with Donor Relations, ensure records are updated on status of contributions, commitments, availability of funds, compile data and produce financial reports to be attached to Appeals or reports.

Monitor the update of Fact-Sheets of Country and Regional Operations.

Gather information from the press and other public sources to facilitate the Operations Officers analysis of political and social developments impacting on UNHCR’s operations.

Decide which issues of inconsistency and/or non-compliance with RBM processes and deadlines have to be brought to the attention of the supervisor, senior management and country/regional operations.

Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).

Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level

For G7 - 4 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education

Not applicable

Certificates and/or Licenses

Business Administration, Economics, Political Science, Law

(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

In depth knowledge of/previous experience in COMPASS, Cloud ERP and Power BI - Results Data Portal and/or other RBM systems analysis. Understanding of the basics of IPSAS.

Desirable

Training in programme design, monitoring & evaluation. Completion of UNHCR learning programmes relevant to the functions (e.g. OMLP). Knowledge of UNHCR's operational rules and procedures. Direct experience as Programme or Operations Associate and in COMPASS development training.

Functional Skills

IT-Computer Literacy;

DM-Data Management;

PG-Resource Planning;

PG-Results-Based Management;

PG-UNHCR's Programmes;

IT-Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP);

(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements

For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.

For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.

For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

Competency Requirements

All jobs at UNHCR require six core competencies and may also require managerial competencies and/or cross-functional competencies. The six core competencies are listed below.

Core Competencies

Accountability

Communication

Organizational Awareness

Teamwork & Collaboration

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies

Managing Resources

Empowering and Building Trust

Judgement and Decision Making

Cross-Functional Competencies

Analytical Thinking

Planning and Organizing

Political Awareness

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination, and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Desired Candidate Profile Programme Management Expertise: Skilled in partnership and contract management, with strong command of UNHCR programme tools including COMPASS, C ERP, Power BI, and Aconex/PROMS.

Operational Cycle Knowledge: Solid understanding of UNHCR’s Plan–Get–SHOW cycle, ensuring coherent planning, resource allocation, monitoring, and reporting.

Strong Coordination & Stakeholder Engagement: Effective collaborator across units and field locations of UNHCR, with proven ability to engage constructively with externals including but not limited to government counterparts, NGOs, UN agencies, INGOs, and other partners.

Monitoring & Field Coordination: Strong ability to monitor programme implementation and coordinate effectively with Field Offices and partners to ensure timely feedback, follow up, and quality delivery which requires constant travel to field locations (once needed).

Supply & Warehouse Management: Solid experience supporting international and local procurement processes, coordinating with Supply and Field Offices, and contributing to effective warehouse, inventory, and NFI management to ensure compliance, accuracy, and timely delivery.

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

,

,

Desired languages

,

,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit:

Nature of Position:

Living and Working Conditions:

Additional Qualifications

SkillsDM-Data Management, IT-Computer Literacy, IT-Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), PG-Resource planning, PG-Results-Based Management, PG-UNHCR's Programmes

Education

CertificationsBusiness Administration - Other, Economics - Other, Law - Other, Political Science - Other

Work Experience

CompetenciesAccountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration

UNHCR Salary Calculator

Compendium

Additional InformationShortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a test and/or Interview.

No late application will be accepted.

The English version is considered original and authoritative, translation to other language(s) serve the purpose of advertisement of local positions where applicable but are not considered as official translations

کارشناس ارشد عملیات

Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance

JR2663862