Business Models Initiative Coordinator (P-5), Panama City, Panama, LACRO (Temporary Appointment)

If you are a driven, committed, creative professional who is passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world’s leading children’s rights organization would like to hear from you. UNICEF LAC Regional Offices is looking for a BMI Coordinator that will advise on and coordinate the implementation of the Business Models Initiative in the region. Apply now!!!

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

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For every child, commitment

In consultation with the UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), the coordinator will advise on and coordinate the implementation of the Business Models Initiative in the region.

The Business Models Initiative was launched by the Executive Director in response to demand expressed by Senior Leaders during the Global Leadership Meeting of 2023 and building on continuous organizational improvement initiatives in UNICEF. The aim is to ensure that UNICEF can meet the significant challenge of the acceleration required to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for all children in all contexts, through positioning its presence and engagement with countries at the level of integrated policy advice and support to leveraging financing and partnerships for impact at scale.

The Business Models Initiative will support a selected number of UNICEF teams in the region, including an estimated 10 Country Offices and the Regional Office, to implement Business Models Learning Labs connected through a common governance and coordination platform to foster real-time improvements and innovation, organization-wide learning, and the engagement of all UNICEF colleagues across the organization. It will initially focus on Business Models in middle, upper-middle and high-income countries where UNICEF has an Executive Board approved Country Programme.

This position is project-based, with an anticipated duration of one year as a start, with possible extension based on the specific project needs.

How can you make a difference? 

The Business Models Initiative will be carried out at the country level through UNICEF offices. The Coordinator will report to the Regional Director and lead the organizational work on the Business Models Initiative. He/she will also work closely with the LACRO Sounding Board team comprised of members of Planning, Operations, Evaluation, PFP and Programmes.

The Coordinator will provide coherence with regional learning platforms, knowledge exchange, documentation, and internal coordination platforms. He/she will ensure the successful implementation of the initiative by working closely with Country Offices involved in the Learning Labs, as well as with the Regional Office, Regional Staff Association, and all relevant sections. The Coordinator will also support the governance and coordination structure of the Business Models Initiative and ensure regular communication with key stakeholders throughout the process. He/she may supervise additional staff or stretch assignments as needed. 

The Coordinator will have the following responsibilities:

• Prepare, oversee and update as needed the overall Initiative implementation plan in the LAC region, ensuring key milestones, timelines, and deliverables are adhered to and communicated.
• In addition to supporting the CO implementation plans, develop a RO implementation plan aimed at leveraging institutional assets to provide highly specialized technical assistance support to COs at scale. This would include identifying and prepositioning highly specialized and high caliber of technical expertise (through LTAs, SSAs and other modalities) to be deployed by LACRO in complement, as needed and relevant, the existing in country capabilities of COs to provide cutting edge expertise in data and evidence, economic analysis, public finance management, and policy advice on child-rights focused public policy reforms and systems strengthening.
• Ensure that the various workstreams, particularly identification and support to Business Models Learning Labs, are appropriately managed and implemented.
• Coordinate and organize meetings to ensure that strategic decisions are carried out and actioned and various levels of the organization in the region.
• Work closely with the Regional Staff Association and key sections to foster positive engagement with all colleagues and address any staff concerns as they arise.
• Oversee regular updates to relevant parts of the organization, particularly Country Offices, about implementation.
• Assess risks in the initiative and advise on the introduction of effective and efficient mitigation measures in all aspects of implementation – including risk to business continuity.
• Lead the establishment and monitoring of the efficacy of the region’s support structure to accompany the Business Models Learning Labs and relevant learning platforms.  
• Flag and troubleshoot issues related to Business Models Initiatives to the appropriate forum, ensuring that Regional Office management is informed of any successes, obstacles or delays.
• Ensure effective change management in close collaboration with concerned divisions, staff association and other stakeholders.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s) in social sciences, or other disciplines of the specialized technical areas.

Work Experience:

• Ten (10) years of relevant professional and managerial experience at national and international levels in management, planning, development operations, or other related fields.
• Experience working in UNICEF at Country Office level is required, and preferably also exposure to HQ and Regional Offices.
• Hands-on experience in programme design and/or implementation in a middle-income, upper-middle-income or high-income context is an asset.
• Experience and understanding of applying design thinking is required, particularly in areas of social change.
• Track record in coordinating and facilitating multi-stakeholder initiatives and negotiations as well as experience in business process innovation are assets. 

Language proficiency:

• Fluency in English and Spanish required.

Desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency. 

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.