Current Vacancies at the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, 11th April, 2019
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.
We are recruiting to fill the position below:
Job Title: Education Specialist, P4
Job Number: 521262
Location: Sokoto
Work Type : Fixed Term Appointment
Purpose for the Job
- Under the overall guidance and direction of the Chief, Education, the Education Manager supports the Chief in managing the section, playing a key role in bringing innovation to the development and preparation of education programmes focusing on the learning/quality component within the country programme.
- The Education Manager provides authoritative technical guidance and operational support throughout all stages of programming to facilitate the management and delivery of results on strengthening national education systems to improve learning, learning outcomes and to promote universal access to quality, equitable and inclusive primary/early childhood education, especially for children who are marginalized, disadvantaged and excluded in society.
- The Education Manager contributes to the achievement of concrete and sustainable results according to plans, allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM), as well as UNICEFs Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework.
Summary of key functions/accountabilities
Management and advisory support to the Chief:
- Provide advice to the Chief in establishing the annual work plan, including developing strategies, determining priorities, and performance measurements.
- Coordinate work progress monitoring and ensure results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards, and report to Chief critical issues for timely action.
- Provide technical assistance and advice to colleagues in the section on all aspects of programming and implementation to enable them to achieve performance objectives
- Perform the full duties of the Chief in his/her absence.
Programme development and planning:
- Advise the Chief on the preparation, design and updating of the situation analysis for the education programmes to ensure that current and comprehensive evidence- based data on education issues are available to guide UNICEFs strategic policy, advocacy, intervention and development efforts on education programmes.
- Advise the Chief in setting priorities, strategies, design and implementation plans for the learning/quality component of the education program. Keep abreast of development trends to enhance programme management, efficiency and delivery.
- Participate in strategic programme discussion on the planning of education programmes. Formulate, design and prepare programme proposals for the sector, ensuring alignment with UNICEFs Strategic Plans and Country Programme and coherence/integration with the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), regional strategies and national priorities, plans and competencies.
- Establish specific goals, objectives, strategies and implementation plans for the sector using results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepare required documentations for programme review and approval.
- Work closely and collaboratively with internal colleagues and partners to discuss strategies and methodologies, and to determine national priorities to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results.
- Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes and to ensure integration, coherence and harmonization of programmes/projects focusing on structured/systematic implementation of learning and quality education interventions with other UNICEF sectors and achievement of results as planned and allocated.
Programme management, monitoring and quality control of results:
- Plan and collaborate with internal colleagues and external partners to establish monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators and other UNICEF/UN system indicators to assess/strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of concrete and sustainable results for learning, learning outcomes and quality education.
- Provide professional technical leadership in ensuring structured/systematic implementation of learning and quality education interventions, including capacity development of primary teachers and facilitators.
- Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual reviews with the government and other counterparts to assess progress and to determine required action/interventions to achieve results.
- Prepare and assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths and weaknesses in programme management.
- Identify lessons learned and use knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals.
- Actively monitor programmes/projects through field visits and surveys, and exchange information with stakeholders to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems, and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution.
- Manage the optimum and appropriate use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets) confirming compliance with organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity, ensuring timely reporting and liquidation of resources.
- Prepare regular and mandated programme reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of programme progress.
Advisory services and technical support:
- Provide technical advice to key government officials, NGOs, UN system and other country office partners on policies, strategies, best practices and approaches on education and other related issues to support programme development planning, implementation and delivery of results.
- Coordinate and ensure the availability of technical experts (with Regional Office/HQ) to ensure timely support throughout all stages of programming.
- Participate in strategic discussions to influence policy and agenda setting for combating poverty and all forms of discrimination against women/children by advising on and advocating strategies and approaches to promote universal access to quality, equitable and inclusive education for children in the country.
- Prepare policy papers, briefs and other strategic programme materials for management use, information and consideration.
- Participate in country discussions on education emergency preparedness, programming and contingency planning to ensure proactive and appropriate responses are in place to meet the onset of emergencies nationally or other designated locations.
Advocacy, networking and partnership building:
- Build and strengthen strategic partnerships through networking and advocacy with local/national governments, UN system agency partners, donors, internationally recognized institutions, NGOs, funding organizations, research institutes and private sector to reinforce cooperation and/or pursue opportunities to promote goals and achieve sustainable and broad results on education.
- Prepare communication strategies and implementation plans and activities for maximum communication impact and outreach to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances for sustainable results and support fund raising for UNICEF Country Office education programmes and emergency interventions.
- Participate and/or represent UNICEF in inter-agency (UNCT) discussions and planning on education and related issues related to learning and quality education to ensure organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the UNDAF process in development planning and agenda setting. Collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNDAF planning and preparation of programmes/projects including emergency preparedness.
Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building:
- Promote critical thinking, innovative approaches and good practices for sustainable education programme initiatives through advocacy and technical advisory services.
- Keep abreast, research, benchmark, introduce and implement best and cutting-edge practices on education management and information systems. Institutionalize and disseminate best practices and knowledge learned.
- Contribute to the development of policies and procedures and introduce innovation and best practices to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programmes and projects.
- Organize, plan and implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of stakeholders to promote sustainable results on education related programme s/projects.
Requirements
Education:
- An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: education, economics, psychology, sociology or another relevant technical field.
Experience:
- A minimum of eight years of professional experience in programme planning, management, and/or research in education is required.
- Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset.
- Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
- Familiarity/ background with emergency is considered as an asset
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in English is required.
- Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.
For every Child, you demonstrate:
- UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.
View our competency framework at
http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply
Job Title: Senior Education Specialist, P5
Job Number: 521264
Location: Kano
Work Type: Fixed Term Appointment
For every child, an education
- Under the overall guidance of the Chief, Education (and reporting to the Chief, Kano Field Office), the incumbent of the post is responsible for leading successful delivery of the Girls Education Project Phase 3 (GEP3).
- The incumbent will be accountable for UNICEFs performance in delivering against the specific milestones and targets of the GEP3 project, including education outcomes for girls, as well as such key issues as leveraging funding effectively from governments in participating states.
How can you make a difference?
- Within the delegated authority and under the given organizational set-up, the incumbent may be assigned the primary, shared, or contributory accountabilities for all or part of the following areas of duties and key results.
Programme Planning, Development and Management:
- Manage effectively the GEP3 Project and team including, but not confined to, ensuring realistic, accurate and high-quality planning, forecasting and delivery of results, value for money, effective monitoring and evaluation of progress and overall quality assurance or 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 GEP3 input. Ensure timely submission.
- Establishment, management and leadership of reporting routines and a strong delivery focused culture across the GEP3 team, including field offices as well as Education Specialists located in Abuja. Liaison with government officials (MDAs) and coordination of GEP3.
- Responsibility for all project planning and reporting for GEP3, including, but not confined to development and review of activity planning, risk analysis (including both political and fiduciary risks at state level), and regular team analysis and reviews of log frame and results.
Promotion of UNICEF Global Goals:
- Promote the organization goals of UNICEF through advocacy and policy dialogue regarding GEP3 in the Education sector, by actively engaging in communication, networking and participation at every opportunity inside and outside UNICEF, leveraging the strength of UNICEF mission, goals and programmes.
Knowledge Management:
- Ensure effective knowledge management by finalizing Girls Education Project Phase 3 (GEP3) documents and reports such as the Education Section/Country Programme Recommendation and Plans of Action as well as through sharing with the Extended Education Cluster on implementation experience, lessons learned knowledge gained and information / data exchange.
Rights-Based Programming through Results-Based Approach:
- Promote rights-based Education Programming through the formulation of appropriate goals, strategies and approaches.
- Bring coherence, synergy and added value to GEP3 or programme management processes using a results-based management approach to planning and design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
- Exploit efficiently the four core partnerships as well as selective partnerships on specific issues and themes or regional concern, such as education and HIV, abolition of school fees in order to formulate common advocacy position, develop policy guidance and influence allocation of resources on behalf of education.
- Support maintenance of information system for monitoring gender/sex disaggregated data.
Sectoral Work Plan Development, Implementation, and Monitoring:
- Responsible for development of the GEP3 work plan, which reflects UNICEF contribution as part of the coordinated support of external partners to national efforts to achieve the MDGs 2 and 3, as well as implementation and monitoring of assigned programme activity, ensuring compliance with programme strategies and approaches.
- Responsibility for all financial planning and reporting for GEP3, including, but not confined to, budget development and execution, management of tranche releases from DFID, management of fund releases from state governments, and value for money analysis.
UNICEF and Government Accountability:
- Coordinates with Operations and Supply staff on supply and non-supply assistance activities ensuring proper and timely UNICEF and Government and all implementing partners accountability; and to orientate and train Government and UNICEF implementing partners in UNICEF supply and non-supply policies and procedures.
- Certifies disbursements of funds related to GEP3, monitors and submits financial status reports to management in compliance with the regulations and guidelines. Principal liaison point with donor, with a strong focus on delivering clearly against the conditions on which funds are released to UNICEF by the donor, as well as ensuring high quality timely reporting, and clear and effective lines of communication.
Communication, Collaboration, Networking and Partnership:
- Provide technical and policy advice to the Chief, Education on Girls Education Project 3 (GEP3) or Education Section strategies, planning and implementation for GEP3; provide interpretation of guidelines, global strategy 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 Education programme requirements and objectives.
- Conduct field visits to monitor GEP3 and collect information. Conduct periodic programme reviews with Government counterparts and other partners.
- Collaborate with other in-country partners to engage with and support the Government in developing a national education sector support plan or other appropriate plans and priorities
- Collaborate with the Operations Section and Government authorities to establish and maintain sound internal controls supportive of GEP3
- Interact with Government and other partners, NGOs, UN and bilateral agencies in the different stages of GEP3 implementation to follow up on agreements and recommendations. Provide technical support and guidance on appropriate technical, financial and institutional capacity building measures to achieve Education programme goals.
Requirements
Education:
- Advanced university degree in Education, Social Science or related technical field with background in management of complex project/programmes, monitoring and evaluation.
Work Experience:
- Ten years progressively responsible professional work experience at the national and international levels in programme planning and management in a related field, with emphasis on strategic planning, leading policy reform in a developing country environment, sectoral coordination, sector financing and sector leadership.
- Strong networks in the sector and strong programme management required.
- Peer reviewed publications in the sector and substantial experience working in at least 2 developing countries in both emergency and non-emergency environments preferred.
- Experience in running complex projects, with a focus on delivery, management and leadership
- Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment, sets high standards for quality of work and consistently achieves project goals.
- Identifies urgent and potentially difficult decisions and acts on them promptly; initiates and generates team- and department-wide activities.
Language Proficiency:
- Fluency in English and a second UN language.
- Local working language of the duty station an asset.
For every Child, you demonstrate:
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply
Job Title: Chief Field Officer, P4 #96887 (Non Nigerian nationals only)
Job Number: 521274
Location: Akure, Ondo
Work Type: Fixed Term Appointment
Job Descriptions
- Under the guidance of the Chief Field Operations, the Chief Field Office (CFO) is accountable for managing and leading the total programme commitment of a field office within a country programme.
- The CFO represents UNICEF in his/her Area of Responsibility (AoR), leads and oversees the various program sectors and operational service teams ensuring the delivery of quality results in accordance with UNICEF’s programme of cooperation, country programme management plan and overall vision set forward by the Representative.
Job Responsibilities
How can you make a difference?
Within the delegated authority and the given organizational set-up, the incumbent may be responsible for all or most of the following areas of major duties and key end results.
Effective management of UNICEF presence, staff and assets:
- Represent UNICEF in the region, by participating in meetings and events, moving forward the agenda for children.
- Facilitate, take and implement measures to ensure safety and security of UNICEF staff and assets.
- Effectively lead the Field Office team and manage the performance and conduct the staff members to deliver results for children
Knowledge Management for Programmes:
- Ensure that area/country programmes are supported by knowledge management through data collection and analysis, complete and accurate reporting as well as participation in the Programme Knowledge Network system of "lessons learned" and other corporate-level databases.
- Participate in information exchange through donor and media visits as well as in the development of training and orientation material.
Programme Development and Management:
- Identify critical intervention points and measures by administering a consistent and transparent monitoring system; analyse country level socio-political-economic trends and their implications for ongoing programmes and projects.
- Draft changes to/or prepare programme work plans as required. Prepare program recommendations for inclusion in formal programme documentation, and new approaches, methods and practices.
- Establishes programme workplans, monitors compliance and provides training, support and guidance to the programme team in order to meet objectives. Identifies human resources requirements and on-going staff development needs.
- Reviews and evaluates the technical, institutional and financial feasibility and constraints of programme/projects in collaboration with Government and other partners.
- Prepares relevant programme reports required for management, donors, budget reviews, programme analysis, annual reports, etc.
Optimum Use of Program Funds:
- Establish and supervise programme work plans and monitor progress and compliance. Monitor the overall allocation and disbursement of programme funds, making sure that funds are properly coordinated, monitored and liquidated.
- Take appropriate actions to optimize use of programme funds. Ensure programme efficiency and delivery through a rigorous and transparent approach to programme planning, monitoring and evaluation.
Programme Monitoring and Evaluations:
- Undertakes field visits and ensures that his/her staff conduct field visits to monitor and assess programme implementation and decides on required corrective action.
- Carry out a rigorous and transparent approach to evaluate and participate in the major programme evaluation exercises in consultation with the Representative, the Operations Officer, the Evaluation Officer and others to improve efficiency and quality of programme delivery.
- Participate in annual sector review meetings with government counterparts. Ensure the timely preparation of annual program status reports.
Rights-Based and Results-Based Programme Management Approach:
- Adopt rights-based programmes approach in the formulation of programme goals and objectives and development of strategies and implementation frameworks.
- Formulate consistent and effective planning, design, implementation, monitoring and/or evaluation of programmes and projects.
- Bring coherence, synergy and added value to the programming planning and design processes using a results-based management approach to programme planning and design.
- Prepare and submit viable recommendations on project implementation, alternative approaches, and optimal utilization of resources that contribute effectively to the fulfilment of the rights of children and women, and recommendations on programme, new initiatives and management issues to ensure achievement of stated objectives.
National and Local Capacity Building/Sustainability:
- Provide authorities and service providers with technical support and guidance to plan and organize training programmes for the purpose of capacity building and programme sustainability.
- Ensure the building and reinforcing of the commitment and institutional capacities of the national and local partners starting with taking a strategic approach to the identification of these partners and partnerships
Rights Perspective and Advocacy at the National, Community and Family Levels:
- Conduct policy analysis from a children's and women's rights perspective and advocacy at the government, community and family levels for elevating credibility in national and international policy debates.
- Promote the organization goals of UNICEF through active advocacy and communication in line with UNICEF national advocacy guidelines and strategy.
Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration:
- Develop partnership and collaboration with internal and external counterparts, including those of the UN and national partners, in order to improve the ability to collect and disseminate development data and information, exchange information on programme/project status and implementation and movement/distribution of supplies.
- Linkage to the Regional Programme Knowledge Network to ensure the availability of current and accurate programme data.
- Collaborate with the Operations Section to establish and maintain sound internal controls supportive of programming endeavours and to coordinate financial and supply management requirements and accountability.
- Maintain close collaboration with heads of sectoral programmes in the CO, Regional and HQ advisers for effective overall coordination on programmes.
- Plans, develops and implements sectoral programme(s) by collaborating with the government and other partners.
- Provide leadership in provision of technical advice, negotiation, advocacy and promotion of area/country level goals, leading to agreement on practicable and priority actions to be supported by UNICEF programme and country level cooperation.
Job Requirements
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have:
Education:
- An advanced University degree in one of the following fields is required: Social Sciences, International Relations, Public Administration, Government and Public Relations, Public or Social Policy, Sociology, Social or Community Development, or another relevant technical field.
Experience:
- A minimum of eight years of professional work experience in programme management, planning, monitoring and evaluation, project administration or another relevant area is required
- Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset.
- Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
- Familiarity/ background with emergency is considered as an asset.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in English is required.
- Knowledge of another UN language or local knowledge of the duty station is considered as an asset.
For every Child, you demonstrate:
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply
Job Title: Social Policy Specialist, NOC, #108801
Job Number: 520864
Location: Kano
Work Type: Fixed Term Appointment
Job Descriptions
- The transparency, adequacy, equity and efficiency of child-focused public investments and financial management; and
- Governance, decentralization and accountability measures to increase public participation and the quality, equity and coverage of social services. This encompasses both direct programme work with government and civil society partners as well as linkages and support to teams working on education, health, child protection, water and sanitation, and HIV.
- Under the general guidance of the supervisor, the incumbent is responsible for providing technical support to the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of all stages of social policy programing and related advocacy from strategic planning and formulation to delivery of concrete and sustainable results. This includes programmes aimed at improving:
- Public policies to reduce child poverty;
- Social protection coverage and impact on children;
Job Responsibilities
How can you make a difference?
Improving data on child poverty & vulnerability for increased use for policy and programme action:
- Supports the collection, analysis and user-friendly presentation of data on multidimensional and monetary child poverty, including strengthening national capacity to collect routinely, report and use data for policy decision-making.
- Provides timely, regular data-driven analysis for effective prioritization, planning, and development; facilitates results-based management for planning, adjusting, and scaling-up specific social policy initiatives to reduce child poverty.
- Analyzes the macroeconomic context and its impact on social development, emerging issues and social policy concerns, as well as implications for children, and proposes and promotes appropriate responses in respect of such issues and concerns, including government resource allocation policies and the effects of social welfare policies on the rights of children
Strengthening social protection coverage and impact for children:
- Supports the development of social protection policies, legislation and programmes with attention to increasing coverage of and impact on children, with special attention the most marginalized. Identifies, generates and presents evidence to support this goal in collaboration with partners.
- Promotes strengthening of integrated social protection systems, providing technical support to partners to improve the design of cash transfers and child grants and improve linkages with other social protection interventions such as health insurance, public works and social care services as well as complementary services and intervention related to nutrition, health, education, water and sanitation, child protection and HIV.
- Undertakes improved monitoring and research around social protection impact on child outcomes, and use of data and research findings for strengthening programme results.
Improving use of public financial resources for children:
- Undertakes budget analysis to inform UNICEF’s advocacy and technical assistance to Ministries of Finance, planning commissions and social sector ministries to improve equitable allocations for essential services for children. Works with sector colleagues to build capacity to undertake costing and cost effectiveness analysis on priority interventions to help inform policy decisions on child-focused investments.
- Supports the identification of policy options for improved domestic financing of child-sensitive social protection interventions.
- Undertakes and builds capacity of partners for improved monitoring and tracking of public expenditure to support transparency, accountability and effective financial flows for essential service delivery, including through support to district level planning, budgeting and public financial management as well as facilitating community participation
Strengthening capacity of local governments to plan, budget, consult on and monitor child-focused social services:
- Where national decentralization processes are taking place, collaborates with central and local authorities to improve policies, planning, budgeting, consultation and accountability processes so that decisions and child-focused service delivery more closely respond to the needs of local communities.
- Collaborates with the central and local authorities to strengthen capacity on quality data collection, analysis for policy development, planning, implementation, coordination, monitoring of essential social services, with emphasis on community participation and accountability.
Strengthened advocacy and partnerships for child-sensitive social policy:
- Supports correct and compelling use of data and evidence on the situation of children and coverage and impact of child focused services – in support of the social policy programme and the country programme overall.
- Establishes effective partnerships with the Government, bilateral and multilateral donors, NGOs, civil society and local leaders, the private sector, and other UN agencies to support sustained and proactive commitment to the Convention of the Rights of the Child and to achieve global UN agendas such as the Sustainable Development Goals.
- Identifies other critical partners, promotes awareness and builds capacity of partners, and actively facilitates effective collaboration within the UN family.
UNICEF Programme Management:
- Ensures that the social planning project enhances policy dialogue, planning, supervision, technical advice, management, training, research and support; and that the monitoring and evaluation component strengthens monitoring and evaluation of the social sectors and provides support to sectoral and decentralized information systems.
- Manages and coordinates technical support around child poverty, social protection, public finance and governance ensuring it is well planned, monitored, and implemented in a timely fashion so as to adequately support scale-up and delivery.
- Ensures risk analysis and risk mitigation are embedded into overall management of the support, in close consultation with UNICEF programme sections, Cooperating Partners, and governments.
- Supports and contributes to effective and efficient planning, management, coordination, monitoring and evaluation of the country programme.
Impact of Results (Please briefly outline how the efficiency and efficacy of the incumbent impacts its office/division and how this in turn improves UNICEF’s capacity in achieving its goals):
- The strategic and effective advocacy, planning and formulation of social policy programs/projects and the achievement of sustainable results, contributes to achievement of goals and objectives to create a protective environment for children and thus ensure their survival, development and well-being in society.
- Achievements in social policy programs and projects in turn contribute to maintaining/enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to provide program services for mothers and children that promotes greater social equality in the country.
Recruitment Qualifications
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have:
Education:
- An advanced University degree in one of the following fields is required: Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science, or another relevant technical field.
Experience:
- A minimum of five years of relevant professional work experience is required.
- Experience working in a developing country is considered as a strong asset.
- Background and/or familiarity with emergency is considered as a strong asset.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is considered as an asset
For every Child, you demonstrate:
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply
Application Deadline 24th April, 2019.
Note
- UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
- UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.
- UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.