UNICEF Job for an Operations Research Specialist
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) - In September 2014 UNICEF
began implementing a joint programme with UN Women on Women, Peace and
Security (WPS) funded by the European
Union (EU). The programme will
support the Nigerian Government (Federal level), three Northern Nigerian
States namely Adamawa, Gombe and Plateau and selected Local Government
Areas (LGAs) to strengthen women’s leadership, advance gender equality
and improve protection for women and children in conflict settings.
UNICEF is responsible for implementation of Component 2 of the
programme, namely ‘to increase access to reporting mechanisms and
protective services for girls and women affected by human rights abuses,
including gender based violence, in 3 states of northern Nigeria”. This
will entail enhancing avenues for reporting of child rights violation
and Gender Based Violence in Plateau and Gombe States, strengthening
access to and quality of services for children and women who have
experienced violence (including gender based violence (GBV), abuse,
neglect and exploitation and strengthening the information management
system for collecting data on violations.
We are recruiting to fill the position below:
Job Title: Operations Research Specialist (WASH), P-3
Job Number: 494370
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Purpose of the Position
- Under the direct supervision of the Chief of WASH, the
Operations Research Specialist (WASH) is accountable for formulation,
design, planning, implementing, managing and evaluation of the
Operational Research component of the WASH programme to ensure overall
quality of the research conducted and its application to inform WASH
sector policies, strategies and approaches for greater results for
children.
Key Expected Results
- Effectively manage and implement the Operational research
component of the WASH Programme including scoping areas of research,
refining research questions in-line with the emerging needs &
priorities of the WASH program.
- Effectively manage service providers and contracts as they
relate to the research and study component of the WASH program, in
accordance with UNICEF guidelines and policy on researches.
- Operational Research carried out efficiently, rigorously and
transparently in compliance with the established guidelines and
procedures including on research quality assurance and Ethics (ERIC:
Ethical Research Involving Children).
- Proper and timely UNICEF and Government accountability ensured
regarding non-supply assistance as well as disbursement of programme
funds for the Operational Research.
- Effective networking and partnerships with national and international research institutions achieved.
- Knowledge management effectively promoted through facilitating
the systematic capture & synthesis of research findings, sharing
trends, good practice, "what works well and what doesn't" and
knowledge/information exchange.
- Practical application of Operational Research findings to WASH
projects, plans, policies, strategies and approaches with a view to
improve WASH programme performance and the delivery of quality results
with equity .
Key Accountabilities and Duties & Tasks
Operations Research Planning, Development and Management:
- Carry out a proper needs analysis based on desk review of
available documents to determine the pertinent research needs (with
focus on equity and addressing gender issues) to accelerate attainment
of WASH sectoral goals.
- Review the current research plans within the section and update as required.
- To assist in the development of national capacities for
research, with special attention to research ethics and the interest,
concern and participation of government, community, and civil society
stakeholders.
- Facilitate macro level integrated planning of research,
monitoring activities within the WASH program, with national partners,
the UN Country Team and the wider international community, in the
context of internal office management plans, the country programme
process, the UNDAF, incorporating transparency on gender inequalities
and using, where applicable, strategies for gender mainstreaming across
sectors.
- Work with supply and procurement section to ensure that the
procurement of research services are effective and efficient, designed
to get the best quality for the best value, and aligned with UNICEF
supply policy.
- Develop Terms of Reference for conducting Operational Research;
review the proposals from bidders for their technical suitability &
capability to conduct the research. Develop guidance and Standard
Operating Procedures as relevant.
- Manage the implementation of the research component by facilitating linkages and providing needed technical guidance.
- In collaboration with partners manages the formative research,
development, pre-testing and production of culturally relevant evidence
based WASH knowledge products and communication materials to ensure
effective and efficient programme delivery.
Knowledge Management:
- Maintain an up-to-date database of capable research institutions
and service providers in-country and also play a role in strengthening
research capacities of existing institutions.
- Assists in developing outreach and uptake strategies for the
wider application of Research findings (briefs, reports, press releases,
articles, linkages, social media engagement).
- Provide synthesis of research results to the country office
senior management, the Country Management Team and key programme and
operations staff.
- Facilitate learning from the results of monitoring and
evaluation within the Country Office and more widely within UNICEF in
the region and globally, as well as among national partners and other
key stakeholders, ensuring that gender equality is a standard feature.
- Undertake documentation and prepare a synthesis of the research
findings including best practices, "what works & what doesn't" for
wider sharing with WASH sector stakeholders.
- Help in the documentation of Case Studies and Field Notes for wider dissemination.
- Using the research findings provide concrete inputs or
recommendations on major programme directions, strategies &
approaches and on introduction of new initiatives in the country.
Rights-Based Programme with Results-Based Approach:
- Promote the quality of rights-based WASH programme and
programmes through participation in the formulation of programme/project
goals, strategies and approaches.
- Bring coherence, synergy and added value to programme management processes using a results-based management approach.
Sectoral Work Plan Development, Implementation, and Monitoring:
- Takes primary responsibility for the development of the sectoral
work plan and technical decisions as well as for project management,
implementation and monitoring of assigned project/sectoral activity, in
compliance with the defined project strategies and approaches.
- Support maintenance of information system for monitoring gender/sex disaggregated data.
Programme Management, Delivery, and Reporting:
- Participate in the budget planning and ensure the compliance and the optimal appropriation of allocated programme funds.
- Participates in and contributes to the budget and programme
review and planning. Establishes programme work plans, allocation of
resources, and monitors progress and compliance.
- Monitors the overall allocation and disbursement of programme
funds, making sure that funds are properly coordinated, monitored and
liquidated.
- Takes appropriate actions to optimize use of programme funds.
Improves programme efficiency, quality and delivery through a rigorous
and transparent approach to programme planning, monitoring and
evaluation.
Promotion of UNICEF's Global Goals:
- Promote the organization goals of UNICEF through advocacy and
policy dialogue through active engagement in communication, networking
and participation at every opportunity inside and outside UNICEF,
leveraging the strength of UNICEF mission, goals and programmes, and
reference to the WASH strategy.
Qualifications of Successful Candidate
Education Background:
- Advanced University Degree in the Social Sciences, Public
Administration, International Relations, Business Administration,
Public Health, Civil Engineering, Sanitation Engineering, or other
fields relevant to international WASH related development assistance.
Work Experience:
- Five years of progressively responsible relevant work experience
at the national and international levels in research and knowledge
management, including in the field of development.
- Specific experience in the WASH sector will be an advantage.
Language Proficiency:
- Fluency in English and another UN language (for IP)
- Fluency in English and local working language of the duty station (for NO).
Competencies of Successful Candidate
Core Values:
- Commitment
- Diversity and inclusion
- Integrity
Core competencies:
- Communication
- Working with people
- Drive for results
Functional Competencies:
- Leading and Supervising
- Formulating Strategies and Concepts
- Analyzing
- Relating and Networking
- Deciding and Initiating Action
- Applying Technical Expertise
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply
Note: The successful candidate for this emergency
recruitment MUST be available to commence work within 31 days of
receiving an offer.
Application Deadline 30th March, 2016.