Implementing Partnership Management Specialist

The Implementing Partnership Management Specialist provides oversight, quality assurance and technical support to the management of implementing partnerships and compliance with the respective operational policies and procedures and mainstreaming of risk-based implementing partnership management in the region.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:  

• Support to implementing partnership management
• Oversight and quality assurance
• Fraud Risk Management
• Analysis, monitoring and reporting
• Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

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 HACT 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 HACT 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 risks management related to Implementing Partnerships and HACT 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 CSO Procedure. This includes ensuring that partners are selected in accordance with the CSO 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.
• Advise the management on actions to be taken to enforce and strengthen accountabilities for a robust, responsive and transparent governance framework.

Fraud Risk Management:

• Lead in collecting evidence to respond to OIAI’s queries when initially assessing allegations of fraud and misconduct or during actual investigations.
• Advise the management on lessons learned from investigations and measures to be taken accordingly.
• Ensure the implementation of the global anti-fraud strategy, suggest internal fraud prevention mechanisms and alert the management on any fraudulent issues as well as unethical behaviors detected.
• Lead the process of Fraud risk training / orientation to Partners and suppliers.

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.
• Analyze and monitor cash transfers at regional and country level.
• 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.

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

Education: 

• An Advanced University Degree in Development studies, Economics, International Development, and Programme/Project Management, Business Administration, Financial Management, Auditing or other relevant field is required.

Experience:

• A minimum of eight years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: programme development/management, financial planning and management, or another related area.

Language:

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, French) is an asset.

Source: https://jobs.unicef.org/cw/en-us/job/574532