The Senior Operations Officer is responsible for providing a range of operations management, oversight and support activities to the UNESCO Regional Office in Yaounde, the National Offices and Antennas under its jurisdiction. He/She reports directly to the Director of the Regional Office with a functional reporting line to the ADG/ADM.  On matters of financial internal control, he/she receives a delegated authority from the Chief Finance Officer as certifying officer. He/She will receive policy guidance/ instructions from the UNESCO’s Corporate Services and Programme Sector ADGs on their respective areas of responsibilities.  He/She will be assisted in the discharge of his/her duties by the Administrative Support Section, as required. He/She provides guidance/support to, and coordinates closely with, the Operations Units in the National Offices located within the Regional Office’s jurisdiction.

2. Plan, manage and monitor execution of financial resources

• Advise the Regional Director on and contribute to the budget preparation process (C/5 documents and related work plans, as well as projects financed by voluntary contributions).  
• Ensure strategic and efficient management of financial resources in the countires under the Regional Office’s jurisdiction, in close coordination with National Offices Operations Units. 
• Draft the Region's operational budget and manage the corresponding regional budget allocations.
• Monitor execution of Regular Budget and voluntary contributions and advise the Regional Director on their revisions.
• Act as certifying officer, monitor compliance to UNESCO’s financial rules, regulation, policies and procedures within the region and ensure that internal control systems are adequate and functioning.
• Ensure that managers in the regional office, its antennas and national offices under its jurisdiction are fully aware of financial and accounting principles, methodologies, rules and procedures and facilitate their training as may be required.
• Provide advice and guidance to managers of the Regional Office, National Offices and Antennas under its jurisdiction, on donor reporting and liaise closely with Headquarter services to ensure donor reports are prepared in a timely manner in line with the terms of the funding agreements signed with donors. 

3. Manage and oversee operational support for programme delivery

• Oversee day to day operations within the office, including finance, budget, procurement, human resources, information technologies and logistics.
• Overseee the implementation of regional procurement strategies, with the aim to harmonize practices, take advantage of economies of scale and ensure value for money for the Organization.
• Supervise the maintenance, upkeep and operation of the premises, facilities and installations, keeping risks to a minimum.
• Assist and advise the Regional Director in the negotiation of lease agreements and in the identification of proper locations and local arrangements for Antennas and in their establishment.
• Ensure that UNESCO’s assets and property are correctly recorded, controled and safegarded.  
• Constantly monitor and analyse the operating environment within the countries under the Regional Office’s jurisdiction and timely implement readjustments as necessary. 
• Provide sound advise and operations backstopping support to national offices within the Regional Office’s jurisdiction.
• Act as operational security focal point; assist the Regional Director in ensuring compliance with prevailing UN Common security and UNDSS policies, procedures and standards.