Operations and Partnerships Associate

INTRODUCTION TO GGGI

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is a treaty-based international intergovernmental organization dedicated to supporting and promoting strong inclusive and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies. To learn more please visit the GGGI webpage.

POSITION SUMMARY

The GGGI UAE Country Program (CP) is pleased to open applications for the Operations and Partnerships Associate position. Under the supervision of the UAE Country Representative (CR), this role, based in GGGI's UAE Office in Dubai within the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, mainly involves ensuring smooth office operations by performing key administrative functions to support the implementation of the Cooperation Program between GGGI and the government of UAE. Additionally, this role involves supporting the CR's efforts in creating and growing existing partnerships within the UAE.

The Operations and Partnerships Associate will be responsible for managing a comprehensive range of administrative, operational, and monitoring functions. These responsibilities include overseeing finance and budget implementation, handling procurement processes, assisting in human resource activities, leading events management, and logistics, supporting tasks related to Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL), attending partnerships meetings with the country team, and attending to ad hoc requests from the government and project teams as required. The role also involves active liaison with local stakeholders and program/project management support, contributing to the effective implementation of green growth planning and cooperation projects under GGGI's UAE Program.

The Operations and Partnerships Associate will play a critical role in aligning operational processes with GGGI's corporate standards while customizing them to meet the specific needs of the UAE Program. The Associate ensures consistent quality across specific projects and/or output delivery. The primary role of the Associate is maintaining and verifying project/output level budget execution and controls in line with GGGI policies, setting up procurement plans, hiring and onboarding plans, supporting contract management in keeping with GGGI policies, standards, and donor requirements, and supporting partnerships meetings.

PURPOSE

The Operations and Partnerships Associate will be responsible for but not limited to the following:

• Ensure efficient office operations, financial management, and compliance with organizational policies.
• Support program execution, project monitoring, and reporting in alignment with strategic objectives.
• Facilitate recruitment, procurement, and event planning for optimal team performance and operational success.
• Engage in strategic planning, risk management, and knowledge sharing across regional and global teams.
• Support MEL tasks including monitoring reporting (integrating monthly, quarterly, and year-end reports), data collection, project evaluations, and program integration.
• Provide ad hoc support to the Regional Office (RO) of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) as requested.
• Oversee office management ensuring operational efficiency and a safe working environment adheres to GGGI's operational policies and procedures.

ENGAGEMENT

• Collaborate closely with the UAE CR to support strategic planning, work plan development, and execution of work streams defined in the work plans.
• Advise the team on the procedures, policies, and tools of all operational transactions for project/output delivery.
• Identify issues and risks that will affect consistent program and delivery and report to the manager.
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to ensure seamless operational support.
• Engage with regional and headquarters teams to facilitate knowledge sharing and operational coherence.
• Act as a liaison between the UAE Office and GGGI's ROMENA/HQ/Global operational units for compliance and best practices.
• Provide guidance and supervise the Public Relations Officer.

DELIVERY

• Provide assistance in developing and implementing detailed budget execution plans and schedules in line with yearly work programs and budget lines.
• Support the efficient facilitation of recruitment processes to maintain a skilled and effective team.
• Oversee procurement activities ensuring timely and cost-effective acquisition of goods and services.
• Consolidate financial documentation for projects and ensure accuracy of project financial reporting.
• Optimize office operations including facilities management, travel arrangements, and the successful execution of events.
• Provide operational support for the preparation and implementation of the Work Program and Budget.
• Develop and implement strategies to improve operational processes and promote a culture of continuous improvement.
• Monitor and report on the operational performance of the UAE office, identifying opportunities for optimization and efficiency.
• Support in monitoring and reporting on project and workstream activities to ensure efficiency and consistency with established work plans.
• Support events planning and logistics specifically capacity building activities such as workshops, trainings, seminars, launch events, etc.
• Support recruitment processes in alignment with program needs and GGGI HR policies.
• Coordinate procurement activities ensuring compliance with GGGI procurement guidelines.

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in business administration, finance, accounting, human resources, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years experience in operations management support, preferably in GGGI Country programs.
• Demonstrated experience in supporting the effective management of financial resources, human resources, procurement processes, and support for events (i.e. workshops, stakeholder visits, etc.) planning and execution.
• Work experience in an international organization and/or in an English-speaking work environment will be an important advantage.
• Proficiency in written and oral in both English and Arabic is required.
• Proficiency in budgeting, expenditure tracking, and financial reporting.
• Experience with ERP software like Unit4/ERP is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.) is required.

FUNCTIONAL

• Demonstrate strong organizational, time management, and multitasking skills.
• Take a proactive approach and work independently with minimum supervision to solve issues at hand and under the jurisdiction of the role.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

CORPORATE

• Demonstrate high level of integrity in handling privileged information and in stewardship of public resources.
• Understand and actively support GGGI's mission, vision, and values.
• Promote the optimum use of public resources.
• Promote an organizational culture of trust, transparency, respect, and partnership.
• Process and share information easily.
• Manage emotions and stress positively, build rapport, and resolve conflict easily.
• Promote creativity and innovation among staff.
• Lead where needed and provide solutions to project-level challenges.

WORKING CONDITIONS

GGGI is committed to providing a work environment that is sufficiently flexible to accommodate diverse lifecycle challenges and assist staff members to achieve a better balance between work and personal/family commitments, thus ensuring high performance, long-term productivity, and well-being of staff members.

Child protection: GGGI is committed to child protection irrespective of whether any specific area of work involves direct contact with children. GGGI's Child Protection Policy is written in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.