For 60 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children’s survival, protection and development. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
Purpose of the Position
Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Representative, you will be accountable for the development, design, planning, implementation and management of the Child Protection programme within the country programme. As head of section, you will direct, lead and manage a group of professional and support staff to develop, manage and administer the sectoral or inter-sectoral project/programme. The overall purpose of the job is to support national efforts to establish and have operational a National Child Protection System that protect children from violence, abuse and exploitation and neglect while mitigating the impact of HIV on them.
Key Expected Results
1. Programme Planning, Development and Management.
Enhance effective sectoral or inter-sectoral planning, development and management by leading, guiding, coordinating and supporting the timely completion of the Situational Analysis and its periodic update through accurate and complete monitoring and analysis, and the timely preparation or finalization of sectoral input. Provide substantive advice, recommendations and input in the formulation of country programme documents and plans of actions relating to Child Protection programme.
Takes primary responsibility for the development of the sectoral work plan and technical decisions as well as for programme management, implementation and monitoring of assigned sectoral activity, in compliance with the defined programme strategies and approaches.
Monitor developments at the international, regional and provincial levels; develop methodologies and new approaches for improving Child Protection programme effectiveness.
Provide seasoned technical recommendations and advice on major programme directions and on introduction of new initiatives in the country.
2. Promotion of UNICEF Global Goals.
Promote the organization goals of UNICEF through advocacy and policy dialogue in the Child Protection sector through active engagement in communication, networking and participation at every opportunity inside and outside UNICEF, leveraging the strength of UNICEF mission, goals and programmes.
3. Knowledge Management.
Promote knowledge management by exchange of knowledge, information, situation analysis, experience or lessons learned; promote knowledge sharing and technical input or recommendations on major programme directions and on introduction of new initiatives in the country.
4. Rights-Based Projects through Results-Based Approach.
Promote the quality of rights-based Child Protection projects and programmes through the formulation of project goals and strategies and approaches. Bring coherence, synergy and added value to sectoral or project management processes using a results-based management approach to planning and design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
5. Sectoral Work Plan Development, Implementation, and Monitoring.
Responsible for development of the sectoral work plan as well as implementation and monitoring of assigned project/sectoral activity, ensuring compliance with project strategies and approaches; provide training, support and guidance to sectoral team. Support maintenance of information system for monitoring gender/sex disaggregated data.
6. Project Delivery, Evaluation and Reporting.
Ensure project, sectoral or inter-sectoral efficiency and delivery through a rigorous and transparent approach to evaluation. Participation in major evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sector review meetings with government counterparts. Ensure the preparation of annual Child Protection sector status reports.
7. UNICEF and Government Accountability.
Coordinates with Operations and Supply staff on supply and non-supply assistance activities ensuring proper and timely UNICEF and Government accountability. Certifies disbursements of funds, monitors and submits financial status reports to management in compliance with the regulations and guidelines.
8. Communication, Collaboration, Networking and Partnership.
• Provide technical and policy advice to the Senior Programme Officer on Child Protection project or sectoral strategies, planning and implementation; provide interpretation of guidelines and organizational policy, contributing to the development of new guidelines through the programme cycle.
• Ensure exchange of information, experience, identify new strategies and courses of action to accelerate/improve delivery of services and achieve Child Protection programme requirements and objectives. Provide authoritative advice/guidance/interpretation of programme policy and guidelines.
Conduct field visits to monitor programmes and gather information. Conduct periodic programme reviews with Government counterparts and other partners.
• Collaborate with Programme Communication Officer to ensure development of effective communication materials and strategies to support advocacy and social mobilization efforts.
• Coordinate with Regional Advisers and HQ Officers. Collaborate with other Project or Programme Officers to ensure the integration of the project/sectoral programme with other sectors.
• Collaborate with the Operations Section and Government authorities to establish and maintain sound internal controls supportive of Child Protection project or sectoral planning and implementation, to coordinate financial and supply management requirements as well as to ensure accountability.
• Interact with Government and other partners, NGOs, UN and bilateral agencies in the different stages of Child Protection programme/project implementation to follow up on agreements and recommendations. Provide technical support and guidance on appropriate technical, financial and institutional capacity building measures to achieve Child Protection programme goals. Conduct orientation and training programmes targeted to Government authorities.
Qualifications of Successful Candidate
Advanced university degree, preferably in the social sciences, law or other relevant field.*
Eight years of relevant work experience at national and international levels, relevant to international development assistance in the areas of child protection.
Background/familiarity with Emergency.
Fluency in English and a second UN language. Local working language of the duty station an asset
*A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Competencies of Successful Candidate
Communicates effectively to varied audiences, including during formal public speaking.
Sets high standards for quality of work and consistently achieves project goals.
Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
Has good leadership and supervisory skills; co-ordinates group activities, ensuring that roles within the team are clear.
Translates strategic direction into plans and objectives.
Analyzes and integrates diverse and complex quantitative and qualitative data from a wide range of sources.
Quickly builds rapport with individuals and groups; maintains an effective network of individuals across organizational departments.
Identifies urgent and potentially difficult decisions and acts on them promptly; initiates and generates team- and department-wide activities.
Demonstrates, applies and shares expert technical knowledge across the organization.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.
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Application Close: 31-Aug-12
