Senior Operations Associate

UNHCR; Tapachula; Presencial; MXN 610,000 - 1,048,000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

An international humanitarian organization is seeking a Senior Operations Associate to lead operations in Tapachula, Mexico. This role involves coordinating and monitoring substantial projects related to asylum processes and refugee integration. The ideal candidate has a background in operations or programme management, with a focus on complex construction and financial reporting in humanitarian contexts. Proficiency in English and Spanish is required. This position offers the chance to contribute to significant humanitarian initiatives in a politically sensitive environment.

Formación

• Minimum 4 years of relevant professional experience in operations or programme management.
• Demonstrated experience supporting or managing complex projects.
• Proficiency in English and Spanish at a minimum B2 level.

Responsabilidades

• Coordinate and monitor the full project lifecycle, ensuring compliance and timely execution.
• Serve as the primary operational interlocutor with government counterparts.
• Ensure compliance with UNHCR, UNOPS, and donor policies.

Conocimientos

Operations and project coordination

Financial monitoring and reporting

Stakeholder and institutional coordination

Results-based management

Risk analysis and mitigation

Educación

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Economics, Political Science, Law, Engineering, or Architecture

Descripción del empleo

Overview

Mexico continues to face one of the most complex mixed-movement and asylum contexts globally, with Tapachula serving as the primary entry and processing hub for asylum seekers and refugees. The Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance (COMAR), with the technical and operational support of UNHCR and UNOPS, is implementing a large-scale institutional response aimed at strengthening access to asylum procedures, protection services and integration pathways. A key pillar of this response is the Centro Multiservicios de Tapachula (CMS), a flagship infrastructure and service-delivery initiative implemented in phases. Phase I construction has been completed, and Phase II represents a major expansion, incorporating additional institutional actors, integration services, and large-scale construction works. In parallel, UNOPS is implementing a dedicated Integration Project, closely linked to CMS operations, aimed at strengthening systems, services and institutional coordination to enable effective socio-economic integration of refugees and other populations with international protection needs. Given the size, complexity and political sensitivity of these interventions, UNHCR and UNOPS require a highly capable Senior Operations Associate to ensure day-to-day operational leadership, coordination, monitoring, reporting and risk management at field level.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

The Senior Operations Associate will serve as the primary operational focal point at field level for the UNOPS Integration Project and the CMS Phase II construction project in Tapachula. The incumbent will be responsible for coordinating and monitoring all operational, financial, administrative and reporting aspects of these projects, ensuring their timely and compliant implementation in close coordination with UNHCR, UNOPS, COMAR and other relevant national and local stakeholders. This position requires a high level of autonomy, judgement, and operational leadership, as well as the ability to manage complex construction-related workflows, multi-actor coordination, donor reporting and institutional liaison in a politically sensitive environment.

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Senior Operations Associate will work under the direct supervision of the Head of Sub-Office, Tapachula, and in close coordination with UNHCR Programme, Supply and Protection units, as well as UNOPS project management counterparts. The incumbent will maintain regular operational contacts with:

• UNOPS project teams (engineering, procurement, finance);
• COMAR leadership and technical units;
• UNHCR at COMEX and other relevant units;
• Other UN agencies and partners operating within the CMS framework.

The role may include functionally guiding support staff or consultants assigned to CMS Phase II and Integration project activities.

Duties

1. A. Project Coordination and Execution
   • Act as the field-level operational focal point for the UNOPS Integration Project and CMS Phase II.
   • Coordinate and monitor the full project lifecycle, including planning, implementation, monitoring, and closure phases.
   • Ensure that construction and operational activities progress in line with approved scopes, timelines, budgets, and quality standards.
   • Support the alignment of CMS Phase II infrastructure works with operational and service-delivery requirements.
2. B. Financial Monitoring and Reporting
   • Closely monitor project expenditures, commitments and burn rates in coordination with UNHCR and UNOPS finance teams.
   • Ensure accurate and timely financial and narrative reporting to UNHCR and UNOPS.
   • Identify financial risks, implementation bottlenecks and variances, and propose corrective actions.
3. C. Liaison and Stakeholder Management
   • Serve as the primary operational interlocutor with COMAR and other government counterparts regarding CMS Phase II and Integration activities.
   • Facilitate coordination between construction works and operational actors to ensure uninterrupted service delivery.
   • Support high-level meetings, technical discussions and field visits with authorities and donors.
4. D. Compliance, Risk and Quality Assurance
   • Ensure compliance with UNHCR, UNOPS and donor policies, procedures and accountability frameworks.
   • Contribute to risk identification, mitigation planning and monitoring related to construction, operations and institutional coordination.
   • Support internal reviews, audits and assurance processes as required.
5. E. Planning and Strategic Support
   • Contribute to operational planning, workplans and implementation strategies related to CMS Phase II and Integration.
   • Provide analytical inputs, briefing notes and operational updates to senior management.
   • Support transition and sustainability planning, including handover and capacity-transfer elements to government counterparts.
6. F. Other Responsibilities
   • Perform other related duties as required to support UNHCR-UNOPS operations in Tapachula.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

Performance will be assessed based on:

• Timely implementation of CMS Phase II and Integration project milestones.
• Quality and timeliness of financial and narrative reports.
• Effective coordination with UNOPS and government counterparts.
• Proactive identification and mitigation of operational and financial risks.
• Compliance with UNHCR and UNOPS procedures and donor requirements.

Qualifications and Experience

(List the required education, work experience, expertise and competencies of the individual contractor. The listed education and experience should correspond with the level at which the contract is offered.)

a. Education

For G7 - 4 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher, preferably in Business Administration, Economics, Political Science, Law, Engineering, Architecture or a related field is an asset.

b. Relevant Work Experience

Required:

• Minimum 4 years of relevant professional experience (or 2 years with a Bachelor’s degree) in operations, programme management, infrastructure projects or similar roles.
• Demonstrated experience supporting or managing complex projects, preferably involving construction or large-scale service delivery.
• Proven experience in financial monitoring, reporting and coordination in humanitarian or development contexts.
• Proficiency in English and Spanish at a minimum B2 level.

Desirable:

• Prior experience with UNOPS, UNHCR or other UN agencies.
• Exposure to construction or infrastructure-related projects.
• Experience working with government counterparts in sensitive operational contexts.
• 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. Experience as Programme or Operations Associate and in COMPASS development training.

Core Competencies / Key Competencies

Functional Skills

• Operations and project coordination
• Financial monitoring and reporting
• Results-based management
• Risk analysis and mitigation
• Stakeholder and institutional coordination

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

Standard Job Description

Required Languages

English

Spanish

Desired Languages

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

Certifications

Work Experience

Other information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

Remote

No