Early Childhood Development Specialist, P3, FT, LAC Regional Office, Panama City #117044

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. The Early Childhood Development (ECD) Specialist reports to the ECD Manager (level 4) and contributes to the efficient planning, implementation and monitoring of ECD/ECE strategies of the Regional Offices and Country Offices for the Latin America and Caribbean.

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

For every child, Hope.

How can you make a difference?

The ECD Specialist reports to the Early Childhood Development Manager (Level 4) for guidance and general supervision. The Specialist supports the coordinated development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of ECD programmes/projects within the LAC Region. The Specialist provides technical guidance and management support throughout the programming processes to accelerate equitable access to quality early childhood services (including in humanitarian contexts) and parents/caregivers engagement to support nurturing care for young children.

The Specialist contributes to the achievement of concrete and sustainable results on ECD related programmes/projects according to plans, allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM) and UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework.

Key function, accountabilities, and related duties/tasks:

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Support to ECD programmes/projects development and planning
2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results on ECD programmes.
3. Technical and operational support to programme implementation
4. Networking and partnership building
5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

1. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results on ECD programmes

• Support the preparation, design and updating of the situation analysis and assessments on ECD related issues to establish evidence-based data to support advocacy and holistic policy and programme development, as well as coordinated planning, implementation, and monitoring of early childhood development programmes/projects within the LAC region.
• Keep abreast of national, regional and international evidence and development priorities to identify opportunities where ECD can enhance inter-sector partnership, integration and linkages.
• Participate in and support RO and CO programme discussions to determine areas for ECD integration/intervention. Contribute to the formulation, design and preparation of ROMP and Country Programmes to ensure integration of ECD in a holistic manner across programme areas and to ensure alignment of ECD programmes with MSTP, UNICEF’s Strategic Plans and coherence/integration with UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDF), regional strategies and national priorities, plans and competencies.
• Establish specific goals, objectives and strategies and implementation plans for the ECD programmes/projects using results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepare required ECD documentations for programme review and approval.
• Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to discuss strategies and methodologies and to determine regional and national priorities/competencies to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results.

Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes to ensure ECD integration, coherence and harmonization with other UNICEF programme sectors and achievement of results as planned and allocated.

2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results on ECD programmes.

• Plan and/or collaborate with internal and external partners to establish monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators and other UNICEF/UN system indicators to assess/strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of concrete and sustainable results on ECD programmes.
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual reviews with sectors and counterparts to assess progress and to determine required action/interventions to achieve results.
• Prepare/assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths/weaknesses in programme management, identify lessons learned and use knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals.
• Actively monitor ECD programmes/projects through field visits, surveys and/or exchange of information with partners/stakeholders to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution.
• Monitor and verify the optimum/appropriate use of ECD programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets) confirming compliance with organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity and ensuring timely reporting and liquidation of resources.
• Prepare ECD regular/mandated programme/project reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of programme progress.

Technical and operational support to programme implementation

• Provide oversight, technical guidance and assistance and operational support to UNICEF teams as well as country offices (and their partners)counterparts), NGO partners, UN system partners on interpretation, application and understanding of policies, strategies, processes and best practices and approaches on ECD to support advocacy, programme management, implementation and delivery of results.

• Participate in programme meetings including programme development and contingency planning to provide technical and operational information, advice and support.
• Draft, coordinate, and support finalization of ECD advocacy/policy papers, briefs, as well as orientations, programme guidance/toolkits and other strategic programme materials for integrated ECD programme development, planning and implementation, across sectors, at regional and country levels.

 3. Networking and partnership building

• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with relevant counterparts, regional stakeholders and partners/allies/donors/academia through active networking, advocacy and effective communication to build capacity, exchange knowledge/expertise and to reinforce cooperation to achieve sustainable and broad results on ECD programmes.
• Prepare communication and information materials for ECD programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and promote increased investments in ECD integrated programmes and projects across sectors.

4. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Apply/introduce innovative approaches and good practices to build the capacity sectors (RO and COs), partners and stakeholders and to support the implementation of integrated approaches to ECD and delivery of concrete and sustainable programme results on ECD.
• Keep abreast, research, benchmark and implement best practices on early childhood development. Assess, institutionalize and share best practices and knowledge learned.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable ECD programmes and projects.
• Organize and implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders to promote sustainable results on ECD related programmes/projects.
• Support the development, regular update and management of efficient Knowledge Management systems that allow RO/COs colleagues (across sectors) to access up-to-date information, data, guidance, best practices and tools for the implementation of integrated approaches to ECD.

Impact of Results

The strategic and effective advocacy, planning and formulation of holistic ECD programmes/projects and the achievement of concrete and sustainable results from ECD programmes contributes to the achievement of UNICEF goals for early and essential protection of children from the early stages of their life and promotes/protects their rights to survival, development and well-being in society. Achievements in programmes and projects in turn contributes to maintaining/enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to provide programme services for parents, caregivers and children that promotes greater social equality in the country.

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

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: education, public administration, public health, nutrition, economics, psychology, sociology/anthropology, human development, child development, family studies or another relevant technical field.
• A minimum of five years of professional experience in social development planning, implementation and management in early childhood development related areas is required.
• Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Fluency in English and Spanish is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, or Russian) is an asset.

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

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.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

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 benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
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 promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. 

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable male and female are encouraged to apply.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also 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 cancelled.

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.

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.