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General Information

Publication for
Partner
Partner Name
UNICEF United Nations Children's Fund
Position Title
Operations Associate
Job Category
Operations
Duty Station(s)
Barcelona
Seniority Level
Associate
ICS Level
ICS 07
Contract Type
ICA - LICA - Support - Regular
Contract Level
LICA 7
Posting Start Date
29-Jan-2026
Posting End Date
08-Feb-2026
Duration
Until 31 December 2026, with the possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and performance.

Job Highlight

The role ensures the efficient day-to-day operations of the DI Technology Centre in Barcelona, providing integrated support across facilities, procurement, events, security, protocol, and administrative services.

About the Region

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) unites the New York Portfolios, including the Peace and Security team (PSC); the Geneva Office; and the Vienna-based Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) teams, to maximize global impact, foster efficiencies and streamline global programmes. Leveraging our collective expertise and networks, GPO supports UNOPS' strategic priorities and the SDGs across over 130 countries. We deliver project management, fund management, advisory services, project implementation, and HR services, working closely with major global partners. Our thematic focus includes sustainable development, climate action, health, peace & security, and humanitarian action.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

As part of the Global Portfolios Office, UNOPS Geneva provides comprehensive solutions in secretariat hosting, operational support, and fund management. We manage global programmes, including the Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) Portfolio, offering project management, procurement, HR, and financial services. Geneva hosts the secretariats of eight global partnerships focused on health (RBM, Stop TB, ATscale), nutrition (SUN), water/sanitation (SHF), humanitarian leadership (GELI), urban development (Cities Alliance), and disaster displacement (PDD). We also provide fund management for EIF and UN Water, and operational support to Geneva-based partners like the Global Fund and UNHCR. 

Job Specific Context

UNOPS Geneva Office is providing support to a wide range of portfolios, including UNEP, UNICEF, UNHCR, and other partners.


UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.


This position is a Partner Personnel role. The selected candidate will be hired by UNOPS under its rules and regulations and will be engaged as UN Partner Personnel (for UNICEF-DI) and will operate under the effective management and supervision of UNICEF-GIGA.


UNOPS is supporting UNICEF-DI as a UN Partner and acting on its behalf to provide recruitment and administrative support for this position.


About UNICEF Digital Impact Division (DID)


Digital Impact Division (DID) is at the heart of reshaping how UNICEF delivers lasting results for children. We are committed to harnessing the full potential of emerging digital technologies to advance UNICEF’s mission.


DID works in close collaboration with regional Digital Impact teams and colleagues across headquarters divisions, regions, and country offices to leverage technologies and capabilities that accelerate progress on UNICEF’s goals, strengthen community resilience, and expand access to essential digital services and information.


Our mission is to enhance UNICEF’s global digital impact by promoting equitable access to information and services, empowering communities to create lasting, positive change for children, and foster a more inclusive, interconnected, and sustainable world for every child, everywhere.


About UNICEF Digital Inclusion


UNICEF’s Digital Inclusion programme supports governments and partners to improve equitable, affordable digital access for children, schools, and communities. The programme engages with regulators, operators, and public institutions to explore innovative approaches to

connectivity, infrastructure governance, and digital public goods.

Role Purpose

The Operations Associate will provide essential operational support for the effective functioning of the DI Technology Centre in Barcelona. The role focuses on managing administrative, procurement, logistical, ICT and safety and security related services, ensuring that the Centre operates efficiently and in full compliance with UNICEF rules and procedures. In addition, the Operations Associate will contribute to coordination of activities and events, helping to create an organized, collaborative and engaging working environment.

Functions / Key Results Expected

  1. Operational and Facilities Management:

  • Contribute to the operational efficiency and effective functioning of the DI Technology Centre in Barcelona through independent delivery of administrative and logistical services.

  • Serve as the Operations Focal Point for the Technology Centre, providing technical guidance to colleagues and coordinating operational workflows across units with minimum supervision.

  • Provide core operational support including administration, procurement, event logistics, ICT and asset management, as well as safety and security related processes.

  • Coordinate procurement of office supplies, services and equipment and support routine facilities maintenance in collaboration with relevant service providers.

  • Provide technical and administrative assistance for Budget Management, Grants Management and other reporting needs, including maintenance of records and timely follow up on reporting deadlines.

  • Support PSB processes and serve as Asset Focal Point for Barcelona, ensuring accurate records and compliance with asset procedures.

  • Act as Security Focal Point, maintaining required documentation and assisting with implementation of office safety and security measures.

  • Support onboarding and offboarding logistics for team members, including workspace preparation, asset allocation and administrative notifications.

  1. Support Event Execution:

  • Provide independent operational and administrative support for implementation of events that take place in Barcelona.

  • Coordinate logistics for meetings, workshops, study trips and site visits to the DI Technology Centre, ensuring timely arrangements and compliance with procedures.

  • Manage invitations, participant lists, venue coordination and procurement of event related services, including follow up on contracts and payments.

  1. Administrative Support:

  • Provide comprehensive administrative support for travel, meetings, study visits and events.

  • Act as protocol focal point for Barcelona, coordinating MFA visas, UNLPs, permits, diplomatic cards and related documentation.

  • Draft note verbales and prepare onboarding and offboarding notifications.

  • Coordinate VAT processing including submissions, refunds and transaction clearance.

  1. Documentation and knowledge management:

  • Maintain accurate documentation, SOPs, workflows and guides for office operations and stakeholder management.

  • Ensure organized records for procurement, assets, protocol and VAT transactions.

  • Support onboarding of new team members and promote knowledge transfer within the Barcelona office.

  1. Collaboration and Innovation:

  • Provide backup operational support to the Geneva office as needed.

  • Coordinate remotely with Geneva based colleagues for joint activities and reporting requirements.

  • Assist in consolidation of recruitment planning and procurement planning processes.


Monitoring and Progress Controls


Item

Outputs/Deliverables

Month/Year

1


Approved and up to date operational documentation for the Barcelona office, including SOPs, asset inventory, security focal point files, facilities contracts list, and service provider contacts.


Within first 2 months, then updated quarterly

2


Completed and recorded operational transactions within set SLAs, including procurement requests, PSB actions, VAT submissions, onboarding and offboarding checklists, and travel arrangements, with no overdue actions or compliance gaps.


Monthly

3



Event support packages delivered for Barcelona based events, including logistics plans, vendor contracts, participant coordination records, and post event administrative closure reports.


Per event

4



Compliance and control reports covering assets, security, protocol, and budget and grants support, including tracking of deadlines, exceptions, and corrective actions.


Quarterly

5.


Knowledge management products, including documented workflows, handover notes, and operational guides, and evidence of coordination with Geneva office on joint recruitment, procurement, and planning processes.


Semi annual

Skills

Administrative Assistance, Back Office Operations, Conference Coordination, Knowledge Management
Respect
Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Collaboration
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
Partnerships
Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
Excellence
Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
Adaptability
Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
Decision-making
Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
Communication
Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education Requirements

Required

  • Completion of Secondary education is required.
  • A relevant university degree (bachelor’s degree/first level) preferably in Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, or equivalent disciplines, is desirable and may substitute for some of the required years of experience.

Experience Requirements

Required:


  • A minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in an administrative role, preferably within a large and diverse organization.

  • Experience in procurement, facilities management, and event coordination.

  • Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite and other collaboration tools.

  • Proven track record of managing office operations, logistics, and stakeholder engagement.


Desired:

  • Experience working in international development or with technology projects is an advantage.

  • Experience working in the UN system will be considered an asset.

  • Familiarity with UNICEF's operations, values, and mandate is considered a plus.

Language Requirements

LanguageProficiency LevelRequirement
EnglishFluentRequired
SpanishFluentRequired

Additional Information

  • Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
  • Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
  • Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 
  • Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments. 
  • UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 
  • Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities. 
  • We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
 
Terms and Conditions
 
  • For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 
  • For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here. 
  • For more details about the contract types, please click here.
  • All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda. 
  • It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.