Implementing Partnership Management Specialist

<!–

Description

–>

• Support to implementing partnership management.
• Provide technical assistance to country offices in the formalization of partnerships with government, civil society organizations and other implementing partners in line with relevant policies, procedures and guidelines including the CSO procedure and guidance on work plans.
• Provide technical assistance to country offices in the. implementation of HACT in line with the Programme Implementation Policy and Procedure and other relevant organizational policies, procedures and guidelines, including the Finance and Administrative Policy 5: Cash Disbursements Supplement 3- Cash Transfers (HACT).
• Guide, advise and support country offices in Implementing Partnership Management processes and the development of country level assessment and assurance plans.
• Guide, advise and support country offices in the use of UNICEF tools and systems (i.e. eTools, InSight, VISION) as it relates to implementing partnership management.
• Support COs in strengthening risk management related to Implementing Partnerships and assurance activities, making sure that (i) systemic issues are identified, analyzed and addressed holistically across the region, (ii) linkages with other work streams (partnerships/Donor relations, supply/procurement, finance and administration, human resources, planning and monitoring, emergency, etc.) are systematically pursued and strengthened for coherent and synergized risks management efforts. 
• Oversight and quality assurance.
• Provide oversight and ensure quality assurance process are in place on the implementation of HACT assurance activities and the use of the FACE form at the country level. This includes the quality of assurance reports and follow-up and escalation of findings of assurance activities consistent with the HACT Procedure.
• Provide oversight and ensure quality assurance processes are in place on the implementation of the Programme Implementation Procedure. This includes ensuring that partners are selected in accordance with the Programme Implementation Procedure, time limits for operationalizing partnerships are met, especially in humanitarian responses, results are clearly articulated and SMART and budgets reflect actual requirements for achieving results.
• Contribute to or lead joint Operations and Programmes peer reviews to assess gaps in risks management and address them, as well as good practices that can be expanded across the region.
• Analysis, monitoring and reporting.
• From a regional perspective, monitor and report on the status of HACT implementation at the country level using corporate tools and systems such as eTools and InSight and identify high risk areas requiring special support.
• Prepare regional reports for Regional Office and Headquarters as may be required.
• Analyse and monitor cash transfers at regional and country level.
• Risk management support.
• Provide guidance and support the regional office and Country Office in the region in the annual risk assessment process and monitor reliability of reports and their compliance with applicable rules and regulations.
• Ensure the monitoring of risk mitigation action plans including a mid-term review.
• Lead the office peer reviews process, undertake visits to project sites and field offices to verify the quality of performance.
• Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building.
• Support and facilitate country office capacity and knowledge exchange on in-country implementing partnerships management intra-office processes.
• Support and facilitate country office capacity development activities of staff and implementing partners on implementing partnership management with a special focus on implementation of HACT and CSO Procedures.
• Identify and share good practices on implementing partnership management in general and HACT and CSO partnerships in particular; and interact with NYHQ and other agencies at global, regional, and country level on matters concerning implementing partnership management.
• Promote HACT in regional senior management and other forums, building awareness, promoting good practice and highlighting areas of risk.
• Support ERM exercises with a particular emphasis on ensuring that risks for implementing partnership management are appropriately identified and relevant mitigating measures put in place and considering the larger risk picture in the region and countries.
• Support country offices in the roll-out and implementation of eTools for implementing partnership management, in coordination with relevant staff.

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: accounting, business administration, economics, developmental studies, or another relevant field.
• A minimum of eight years of professional experience at the national and international level in Operations/Finance Management, Risk Management, Audit and/or programme management.
• Proven successful experience in training professionals in different contexts (technical/cultural).
• Practical experience in planning, undertaking, and reporting on financial management assurance activities related to HACT and/or similar grant management oversight systems used by donor and funding agencies.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

<!—

<!–

–>