Planning & Monitoring Specialist at the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)

United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (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: Planning & Monitoring Specialist

Job no: 565264
Location: Kaduna
Contract type: Fixed Term Appointment
Level: NO-3
Categories: Programme Management

How can you make a difference?
Monitoring and tracking of programme results:

• Monitor and track results at the field level through innovative processes and tools including the use of new technologies.
• Develop and implement innovative tools and methodologies for tracking results.
• Coordinate with partners to ensure that monitoring systems are properly designed, and that data collection and analysis from field visits are coordinated and standardised across programmes to feed into to programme performance monitoring
• Build capacities within the office and field offices on the use of innovative structures, mechanisms, and tools to track results at the field level. Through close coordination with Chiefs of Field Offices, and ensure that field monitoring approaches and associated tools capably support advancing the results agenda for children in Nigeria. 
• Collect data, monitor and analyse data, and support internal and external dissemination of results to inform Field Office and 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.

Development of innovative ways to manage and disseminate data:

• Work with ITD/UNICEF, UN agencies, private sector, NGOs to develop and implement new and innovative ways to collect, analyse and disseminate data and results, including the use of a scorecard system at LGA and/or State level.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of innovative systems for efficient processes.
• Build capacities within the office and partners as appropriate for collection, analysis and dissemination of data related to children and women and programme results.
• Contribute to the implementation and Monitoring of DAO initiative (UN Join WP)

Programme Development and Management:

• Identify critical intervention points and measures by administering a consistent and transparent monitoring system; analyse country level socio[1]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, the Executive Board, donors, budget reviews, programme analysis, annual reports, etc

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.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have
Education:

• An Advanced University Degree in a Social Science field or other field related to the work of UNICEF is required.

Experience:

• A minimum of five years of experience at national and international levels in programme/project planning; with significant experience in data dissemination/interpretation and data analysis in the sectors of concern to UNICEF and knowledge of new technical developments and software in data dissemination; and some experience in other areas of applied statistics.
• Professional technical expertise in data analysis and dissemination specifically related to UNICEF related indicators
• Well developed computer skills including proficiency in data dissemination software (e.g. Devinfo)
• Proficiency in displaying data for use by government policy makers, partner organizations and general public.
• Developing country work experience is required.
• Exposure to emergency programming, including preparedness planning.
• Active involvement in a humanitarian crisis response programme required.

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.

Application Closing Date
5th September, 2023 (West Central Africa Standard Time).