Chief Field Officer at the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)

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: Chief Field Officer, P5

Job Number: 520861
Location: Kano
Work Type: Fixed Term Appointment

For every child, a future

• Under the broad supervision of the Chief of Field operations, accountable for UNICEF's advocacy with the government and other partners for the enhancement of the survival, protection, development and participation of children and women in development efforts of three states. Represents the Nigeria Country Office Representative in all aspects of UNICEF's co-operation with the State Governments. Responsible for all aspects of office management of the UNICEF state office.

Key Accountabilities And Duties & Tasks
Within the delegated authority and the given organizational set-up, the incumbent may be accountable for all or assigned areas of the following major duties and end results.

Representation and Advocacy:

• On behalf of the Country Representative, represent UNICEF in the states of Kano, Katsina and Jigawa, advocate for policies supportive of UNICEF goals and objectives, building alliances in government, NGOs and community groups towards the achievement of these goals. Represent UNICEF in meetings with senior government officials as well as multi-lateral, bi-lateral agencies, non-governmental organizations and maintain an effective working relationship with them, advocating for the rights of children in all fora.
• Represent UNICEF and ensure increased commitment of UNICEF working under United Nations Joint Partnership framework.       

Programme Planning and Development:

• Be aware of development policies of Federal and State Governments and the socio-economic scenario of the area; and support the 3 State Government to develop Situation Analysis. 
• Support the State Governments to develop State Plans of Action for children based on up to date situation analysis; with attention to gender equality, and equity perspective, (identify and track gender inequalities, equity aspects of children vulnerabilities, and promote intervention to address both).
• Strengthening coordination between sectors and between different levels of government structures for policy implementation. 
• Support the development of state engagement plans between UNICEF and States of Kano, Jigawa and Katsina.

Programme Management:

• Lead and guide a team of professional and support staff overseeing implementation of UNICEF supported programmes using appropriate strategies and interventions relevant to the State and Country Programme.
• Ensure effective and appropriate use of human and material resources, working closely with government and other partners to ensure smooth and efficient execution of UNICEF supported programme activities. Coordinate inter-sectoral programme activities to contribute to the achievement of programme objectives and relevant Sustainable Development Goals. 
• Implement the State engagement plans under the overall framework of the Country Rolling work plan goals, and relevant to the specific State setting.
• Direct, supervise and coordinate implementation of state engagement plans, with systematic and regular monitoring of progress to ensure objectives are met.
• Closely monitor financial commitments, expenditure and liquidation of programme and administrative funds allotted to the field office in accordance with financial rules and regulation, ensuring accountability for resources allocated to the office and compliance with all operational systems and procedures. Ensure established relevant internal controls are monitored and adhered to.

Team Leadership:

• Provide leadership to a team with diverse backgrounds and experience, so that they successfully work towards a common goal. Identify and recommend human resources required for programmes, assign tasks to staff in Field Office, monitor performance, complete the Performance Appraisal process as required; ensure appropriate professional development, training and motivation of staff.

Programme Monitoring/Evaluation:

• Coordinate timely programme reviews with both government and other partners.  Develop and make effective use of programme monitoring systems and ensure that information generated leads to improvement of project performance and feedback to staff.
• Direct, supervise and coordinate the preparation of all programme reports required by the country office and donors. Provide inputs and support required during evaluations.

Governance and Office Management:

• Put in place structures for optimal management of the field office, and participate in Country office forums for governance. Ensure the organisation of regular staff and programme meetings and follow up to decisions and recommendations. Provide input in the Country Management Team.

Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration:

• 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 and the World Fit for Children (WFFC) agenda. Identifies other critical partners, promotes awareness and builds capacity of partners, and actively facilitates effective collaboration within the UN family.
• Develop partnership and collaboration 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. Links 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, for effective overall coordination on programmes.

Knowledge Management:

• Ensure that 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.

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.

Education

• An advanced university degree is required in Social Sciences, International Relations, Government, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or other relevant disciplines.

Work Experience:

• Ten years of relevant professional work experience is required.
• International and developing country work experience and field work experience is required.
• Background/familiarity with Emergency.

Language Proficiency:

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is considered as an asset.

View our competency framework at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

Application Closing Date
23:55:00 GMT+0100  (W. Central Africa Standard Time); 10th April, 2019.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

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.