Operations & Finance Specialist

General Information

Publication for

Hosted Entity

Entity Name

Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR)

Position Title

Operations & Finance Specialist

Job Category

Operations

Duty Station(s)

Geneva

Seniority Level

Mid Level

ICS Level

ICS 10

Contract Type

ICA - IICA - Regular

Contract Level

IICA 2

Posting Start Date

21-Aug-2026

Posting End Date

13-Sep-2026

Duration

One year, with the possibility of extension, subject to satisfactory performance and the availability of funds.

Job Highlight

The GFCR Secretariat leads Fund-level global coordination and strategy implementation. The Secretariat coordinates and guides the day-to-day work of the GFCR, including the wider UN Global Team, which is organized across four integrated workstreams: Strategy and Engagement; Portfolio Management, Impact Measurement and Leverage; Governance and Operations; and Knowledge Management and Learning. The UNGT is led by the Director based in Geneva, Switzerland.

In its role, UNOPS provides administrative and operational services to the GFCR Secretariat. This includes flexible, modular project services such as procurement, project management, human resources, and financial management, alongside secretariat support services for global partnerships advancing United Nations objectives. UNOPS also provides access to shared service platforms, corporate systems, defined service arrangements, and appropriate delegations of authority to support efficient delivery within GFCR governance arrangements and UNOPS rules and procedures.

About the Region

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The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) brings together diverse expertise to help partners deliver impact worldwide. With hubs in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, and expert teams operating globally, GPO leads multi-regional initiatives that advance sustainable development, climate action, and peacebuilding - including in some of the world’s most challenging environments. By leveraging our collective expertise and global networks, GPO supports UNOPS’ strategic priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals across more than 130 countries. We work closely with major global partners - including governments, international financial institutions, and UN agencies - to deliver a wide range of services, such as project management, fund management, hosting services, and HR support.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

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From Geneva, UNOPS facilitates the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), working with governments, other United Nations (UN) agencies and partners by providing quality servces, integrated solutions and management support through strategic, cost-effective and results-oriented approches. This includes supporting platforms and hosting high-profile, flagship initiatives and funds focusing on health, nutrition, water and sanitation, sustainable cities, environment, energy, climate and trade. UNOPS is a recognized resource for the UN system in Geneva – from fund management and oversight and advisory services, to providing hosting solutions to a range of global initiatives, as well as operational support to partner organizations.

Job Specific Context

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Launched in 2020, the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR) was established as a coalition to mobilize new sources of public and private finance to safeguard the world’s most climate-resilient coral reefs—coral refugia—and prevent their collapse. The GFCR mission is to enhance the resilience of coral reef ecosystems, communities and economies by unlocking new public and private resources that accelerate sustainable businesses and finance solutions (reef-positive solutions).

GFCR applies a blended finance approach that sequences different forms of capital to support coral reef conservation, economic, and community resilience outcomes. The approach combines grant funding, technical assistance, concessional finance, risk-sharing structures, and private investment to address constraints from early pipeline development through scale. At later stages, commercial and near-commercial capital can support expansion of proven reef-positive enterprises and larger-scale investment opportunities.

The GFCR supports reef-positive businesses and financial solutions across four core investment pathways: Sustainable Ocean Production; Sustainable Coastal Development; Circular Economy and Pollution Management; and Financial Mechanisms. Complementing these investment pathways, GFCR also advances a broader systems-change agenda by leveraging lessons learned from its portfolio and global coalition to promote ocean finance innovation, influence international policy processes, strengthen enabling environments, and catalyze the replication and scaling of reef-positive finance solutions.

Role Purpose

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Under the oversight of the Deputy Director, the Operations & Finance Specialist provides operational support to the GFCR Secretariat. The position supports the effective planning and delivery of Secretariat and programmatic operations.

The role helps ensure effective delivery across the Secretariat through operational support (HR, Travel, Procurement), and financial monitoring of the secretariat and the Fund budget including monitoring portfolio and project financial status.

Functions / Key Results Expected

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Summary of key functions:

Programme operations

Fund operations

Financial reporting

Administrative support

1. Programme operations

Ensure guidance to Recipient UN and Non-UN Organizations on operational process requirements as laid out in the relevant Operations Manual.

Supports as needed the coordination of Non-UN Organizations due diligence processes.

Facilitate the implementation of the GFCR workplan in accordance with UNOPS Project Management Methodology (PMM) and ensure that all organizational policies are complied with (Organizational Directives and Organizational Instructions);

Monitor and supervise all aspects of operations to ensure compliance with corporate strategies, UNOPS rules, regulations, policies, and standards of accountability, ethics, and integrity, and achievement of results;

Keep abreast of best practices that can increase the efficiency and effectiveness of hosted entity’s operations;

Perform other functions as necessary for the effective operation of the hosted entity.

2. Fund operations

Leads coordination and liaises with the Administrative Agent (UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office) to ensure accurate and timely grant transfers to recipient organizations.

Oversees due diligence assessments for non-UN partners as required.

Contribute to the annual narrative reports and other reports as required.

Supports file management.

Ensure maintenance of the UNGT Work Plan as needed.

3. Financial management and reporting

Lead the review of financial expenditure reports submitted by GFCR implementing partners.

Lead coordination and follow-up with partners on missing information, clarifications, or revisions required for financial reporting.

Lead consolidation of financial reporting inputs for Secretariat review and governance processes as needed.

Coordinate the development and monitoring of budgets and allocations for GFCR.

Ensure the availability of required financial reports, investigate anomalies, and monitor financial projections. Reinforce the secretariat’s compliance with established policies, plans, guidelines, and UNOPS procedures.

4. Administrative Support

Liaise with UNOPS on procurement, HR, travel, logistics, and other administrative processes for the GFCR Secretariat, in line with UNOPS rules and regulations.

Supports travel planning and coordination, including mission-related documentation, travel requests, and follow-up.

Skills

Budget Management, Compliance Management, Human Resources Management, Internal Audit, Operations Management, Procurement, Project Management, Reporting & Analysis

Competencies

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Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation.

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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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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