Planning Manager, (P-4), Fixed Term, Programme Effectiveness, DAPM, New York, USA, #87379

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.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, Hope

The Division of Data, Analytics, Planning and Monitoring (DAPM) was established in 2019 to drive decision making and organizational learning, improve effectiveness and achievement of results of UNICEF and its partners to realize the rights and improve the life of every child. DAPM promotes the use of data, analytics, planning and monitoring, and related aspects of strategic country programme management, to achieve transformative impact for children.

The Division is responsible for driving, shaping and guiding UNICEF’s evidence-informed analysis, corporate and country planning, programme implementation and related risk management, monitoring, knowledge management and organizational performance. As such, DAPM enables the organization to deliver on results in a more coherent manner, based on agile and contextualized programming processes, and on data, evidence, and analytics, as well as the application of human-rights based and results-based approaches.

Within DAPM, the Programme Effectiveness Team (PET) leads, regulates and coordinates the development and issuance of organization-wide policies, procedures, standards, guidance, systems, tools and platforms to strengthen programme effectiveness across all contexts, including programme planning, implementation and related risk management, safeguarding, monitoring, organizational performance, knowledge management, at all levels.  In doing so, PET engages with all divisions/offices across HQ as well as with all regional offices, UN agencies, funds and programmes, specialized agencies, other technical organizations and the UN Development Coordination Office.

Purpose for the job:

Under the direct supervision of the Chief, Strategic Planning & Corporate Analysis of the of the Division of Data, Analytics, Planning and Monitoring (DAPM) Programme Effectiveness Team (PET), the Planning Manager works in close collaboration with other members of the team on corporate planning and analysis processes.

The post contributes to continued development and strengthening of (a) corporate planning and analysis processes, (b) corporate reporting to internal and external stakeholders, (c) the preparation and review of implementation of the Office Management Plans at regional and HQ locations, and (d) inputs to the formulation and development of other global UNICEF policies, goals and strategies.

How can you make a difference? 

1. Corporate analysis of, use of and reporting on the Strategic Plan

• Participate, contribute and support processes related to reporting on the Strategic Plan, including the Executive Director’s Annual Report to the Board and other key corporate reports including direct leadership on the coordination of all annexes.
• Management and coordination of the results framework of the SP; and develop and update the corporate reporting framework and the databases on programme, organizational performance and other key performance indicators including through extraction from corporate planning and reporting systems (inSight), SOWC reports and other sector-specific global reports.
• Contribute to the development of guidance and other communication materials on the Strategic Plan to promote utilization at all relevant levels.
• Support the annual Global Effectiveness Review with the GMT and related engagement with regional offices.

• Contribute to the development of thematic and sector reports as required.
• Support the coordination of processes related to reporting quality, formats and systems with other concerned Divisions/Offices including, inter alia, DFAM, PG, EMOPS, and PPD to promote a consistent approach across the Organization
• Assist in identification of key issues and lessons learned from the Strategic Plan Goal Areas, Cross-Cutting Programmes, Change Strategies and Enablers, for possible inclusion in public reports.
• Participate in preparation and holding of the pre-Board and Board discussions on the Executive Director’s Annual Report, and draft notes on related discussions.
• Undertake the coordination and preparation of the progress reports towards the WFFC Commitments.
• Technical liaison with DFAM on Integrated Budget and SP alignment and focal point on the SFD and SP expense reporting.

2. Corporate reporting to various partners and performance frameworks

• Develop a system to harmonize corporate performance reporting in line with various partner frameworks
• Provide substantive analytic inputs for and participate in reviews on corporate performance paying attention to the organization’s contribution to results for children
• Support interagency coordination on tracking and harmonized reporting of respective Strategic Plans and other common partner frameworks

3. Office Management Plans and Reports

• Support the process of developing, coordinating and reviewing OMPs and related reports, promoting improvements in efficiency and effectiveness of the Organization and alignment between the OMPs, budget and the SP.
• Support analysis and reporting and provision of guidance on the Global and Regional programme (GRP)

4. Support in the internal functioning of Strategy Planning and Corporate Analysis Unit

• Support the development and review of the work plan of the unit, including the setting of goals, priorities and strategic approaches to the work the unit; monitor and report on results of implementation; and identify and pursue areas of collaboration across the Section and Division
• Support recruitment for the unit
• Support reporting on activities of the unit
• Act as OIC when the Chief of the Unit is out of office

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

• Education: An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Social Sciences, Demography, Public Administration, Community Development, Social Development, Statistics or a directly-related technical field(s) is required. Specialized training in strategic planning or management is a strong asset.
• Work Experience:
  • A minimum of eight (8) years of professional experience at the national and international levels, in development planning, corporate strategy and programme management, of which at least four years of progressive experience in UNICEF or a reputable international organization, preferably including at the policy and strategic levels.
  • At least 2 years of field experience with UNICEF or a reputable international organization.
  • Demonstrated maturity in judgment, solid people management and interpersonal skills; good facilitator skills, good knowledge and skills in using tools for policy presentations, planning and the networking of strategic information.
  • Strong experience with results-based management tools and processes including development of results-chains, logical frameworks, theories of change, measurement, reporting and related tools.
  • Experience working with donors at the global level on substantive results issues is an asset.

• Language Requirements: Fluency in English (written & verbal) is required. Knowledge of an additional UN Language (French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish) is considered 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

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 

(8) Nurtures, leads and manages people

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.

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

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.