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Operations Manager [Open for Tier 0&1&2 applicants]
Better Than Cash
Operations
Bonn, Germany
Posted on May 6, 2026
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 Bureau for Management Services (BMS) is the central operations Bureau in UNDP that supports the organization in the provision of management services. Drawing on client needs, user experience, sound analytics, and a risk-informed approach, BMS provides policy, advisory and transactional services and solutions for UNDP to deliver fully integrated development solutions. In doing so, BMS keeps pace with the evolving needs and expectations of development partners and international best practice through strengthening and innovating business operations.
In support of UNDP’s Strategic Plan, BMS aims to provide more integrated, effective, and customer-focused services to clients both internal and external to UNDP. BMS is comprised of a Directorate and several functional units providing finance, human resources, security, procurement, legal, administrative and IT services. The Directorate is BMS’ "one-stop shop" for management expertise, policy advice, implementation support, and innovative operations solutions to unique business needs of its clients - UNDP Country Offices and HQs units and UN Agencies.
Position Purpose
Under the overall guidance of BMS Director and direct supervision of the Deputy Director, the Operations Manager Supports all aspects of BMS management and operations in Bonn. This includes strategic management of financial and human resources of the Ops Team, efficient procurement, logistical services and common services consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. The Operations Manager’s main role is to lead, constantly evaluate, and adjust the operations of the Directorate in Bonn to ensure consistent services delivery and smooth functioning of the unit.
The Operations Manager leads and guides the Directorate Operations Team and fosters collaboration within the team, using a client-oriented approach. The Operations Manager works in close collaboration with other UNDP teams in Bonn, and, if applicable, provide operational services to them under agreed SLAs.
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
As a member of the Directorate operations team, ensures the strategic direction of operations.
- Ensure full compliance of operations with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies, and Internal Control Framework (ICF).
- Implement corporate operational strategies. Establish management targets; and regularly monitor office performance indicators for achievement of results. Take timely corrective actions when required.
- Establish collaborative arrangements with potential partners and a client management system for appropriate management of partnerships and service provision purposes.
- Ensure mapping of the Directorate business processes, and establishment of internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Finance, Human Resources Management, Procurement, ICT, Logistic, Protocol, Travel and Transportation Management Services required for UNDP Bonn presence.
- Support senior management in identifying and overseeing risks to ensure dynamic and effective risk management in the unit and to make more risk-informed and timely decisions. Monitor and analyze the operating environment; undertake risk analysis related to operations, as appropriate; and make timely readjustment of operations services, considering advice on legal considerations.
- Ensure systematic adherence to UNDP policies, procedures, and corporate guidance on enterprise risk management.
- Ensure knowledge building and sharing about management and operations in the Directorate, coordination of staff learning needs, and consolidation of lessons learnt/best practices.
- Provide sound contributions to UNDP knowledge networks and communities of practice.
Ensure effective, risk-informed, and accurate financial resources management.
- Ensure proper planning of unit financial resources, tracking and recording of expenditures in compliance with IPSAS, and audit of financial resources, including extra-budgetary income in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations.
- Monitor financial exception reports for unusual activities and/or transactions; and investigate anomalies or unusual transactions. Ensure appropriate CO and UNDP HQ staff are informed of the results of the investigation when satisfactory answers are not obtained.
- Ensure all financial transactions are identified, recorded, and verified in compliance with IPSAS as outlined in the corporate policies and procedures
Ensure provision of efficient procurement, logistical and administrative services in coordination with corporate Procurement team.
- Ensure unit compliance with corporate rules and regulations related to procurement and logistics.
- Develop 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 unit assets.
Ensure proper common services management and establishment of strong collaboration with other UN Agencies present in Bonn.
- Elaborate strategic approach for implementation of common services in line with the latest developments in common services and best practices.
- Ensure proper planning and tracking of common services budget and of Agencies' contributions to the common services account.
- Contribute to Operations Management Team (OMT) activities including the area of risk management.
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 BMS Directorate operations staff/ personnel in Bonn
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 act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility - LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Act with Determination - LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner - LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion - LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
People Management
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
Business Direction & Strategy - System 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 Direction & Strategy 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.
Partnership management - Relationships Management: Ability to engage with a wide range of public and
private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding
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.
Business Management - Communication: Ability to 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
Business Management - 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 and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimising return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key
principles of project, programme, and portfolio management
Business Management - Risk Management: Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risks
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Economics, or related fields 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.
Experience:
- 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 operational systems and establishing relationships with international organizations and national governments is required.
- Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), and web-based management systems such as ERP- Quantum related activities is required.
- Experience and good knowledge of accrual accounting, IPSAS or IFRS is highly desirable.
- Knowledge and experience working within the UN/UNDP system, preferably in a country office context is desirable.
- Experience in procurement management is desired
- Experience in logistics and administrative services is desired.
- Experience in providing services comprising financial management, HR, procurement, common services, is desirable.
Language:
- Fluency in the English is required.
- Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.
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.
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Duties and Responsibilities