Programme Specialist (Field Results) at the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) - For 70 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.

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.

We are recruiting to fill the vacant position below:

Job Title: Programme Specialist (Field Results), P-4

Job Number: 513274
Location: Abuja
Work Type: Fixed Term Staff

Job Description

• UNICEF is seeking an experienced and innovative programme specialist (field results) for its Nigeria country office.
• As part of the new Managing for Results section, this position will deliver results for children by implementing new monitoring approaches, including real-time monitoring and scorecards, to support the convergence of UNICEF’s key results areas in priority communities across Nigeria.

Purpose of the Job

• Under the supervision of the Monitoring Specialist (Management for Results), P4, accountable for the management and implementation of areas of responsibility under this post.
• The primary function of this post is to improve the innovative implementation, monitoring and analysis of programme convergent strategies and approaches of UNICEF programme results in the Nigeria Country Office, towards achievement of UNICEF's organizational priorities community, LGA, state and national levels. The post will improve the relevance, quality, availability and use of data and contextual information on children and women throughout UNICEF and externally.
• The post will support with coordination and dissemination at country level data on key social indicators, including through presentations, MICS, DevInfo and report summaries, and promote its use in corporate planning, policy formulation, programme design, advocacy and flagship publications.

Key Functions, Accountability and related Duties/Tasks
Operationalization of programme convergent strategies and approaches at community/LGA/State level:

• Assist in operationalizing programme convergent work plans in priority field locations in coordination with and support to programme sections, field offices and partners, promoting optimal designs for each pilot location, comparability across locations, and real-time adjustments as required.
• Build capacities within the country office, field offices and amongst partners on operationalization of programme convergent strategies and approaches. 
• Support appropriate actions to optimize use of programme funds in relation to convergent programming. Ensure programme efficiency and delivery through transparent approach to programme monitoring.
• Contribute towards documentation of lessons learned and best practices related to programme convergent strategies and approaches.

Monitoring, tracking, analysis and dissemination of programme convergent results:

• Put in place standard systems for coordinated monitoring, data collection and analysis across programme convergence pilot locations to feed into performance monitoring, including the use of a scorecard system at LGA and/or State level.
• Monitor, track and analyse results of programme convergence at the field level through innovative processes and tools, and provide recommendations for real-time adjustments as required.
• Build capacities within the country office, field offices and amongst partners on monitoring, analysis and dissemination of results of programme convergent strategies and approaches. 
• Contribute to dissemination of programme convergent results to inform NCO collaboration around key programme results, including inputs to management reports.
• Contribute to analysis of results in the context of UNICEF Nigeria CPD 2018-2022, UN coherence efforts, and readily ascertain UNICEF's contributions to supporting Nigeria achieve the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.

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 government authorities with technical supports 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.

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 Regional Advisers and HQ Officers 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.

Qualifications of the Successful Candidate
Education:

• Advanced university degree in Social Sciences or a field related to the work of UNICEF.

Work Experience:

• At least eight years of experience at national and international levels in programme/project planning in the sectors of concern to UNICEF with technical expertise in convergent programming and results based management related to UNICEF related indicators.
• Developing country work experience (for IP) Background/familiarity with Emergency.

Language Proficiency:

• Fluency in English and a second UN language.

Competencies of the Successful Candidate
Core Values:

• Commitment
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Integrity

Core Competencies:

• Communication
• Drive for Result
• Working With People

Functional Competencies:

• Applying Technical Expertise
• Deciding and Initiating Actions
• Following Instructions and Procedures
• Leading and Supervising
• Planning and Organizing

Technical Knowledge:

• Communicates effectively to varied audiences, including during formal public speaking.
• Sets high standards for quality and consistently achieves project goals.
• Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
• Demonstrates and shares detailed technical knowledge and expertise.
• Adjusts team or department's approach to embrace changing circumstances.
• Identifies urgent and potentially difficult decisions and acts on them promptly; initiates and generates team- and department-wide activities.
• Ensures that team or department follows relevant company policies and procedures.
• Has excellent leadership and supervisory skills; co-ordinates group activities, ensuring that roles within the team are clear.
• Sets clearly defined objectives and plans activities for self, own team or department

Application Clsoing Date
11th June, 2018.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note: 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 organization.