Programme Specialist

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Description

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• Every child survives and thrives — being in good health, immunized, protected from polio and accessing nutritious food.
• Every child learns.
• Every child is protected from violence and exploitation and registered at birth.
• Every child lives in a safe and clean environment, with access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation. 

• The Programme Specialist (Integrated Services) reports to the Chief Field Office Peshawar for general guidance and direction. In close collaboration with relevant sections, the Manager is responsible for coordinatingthe design, development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Integrated programme approaches at the community level, to foster better synergy between the UNICEF Programmes in Health, Nutrition, WASH and Child Protection with the Polio Eradication Initiative.
• The Program Specialist would also seek further integrations of other unicef sections, SBC, social protection and education in particular, into the approach as well as to contribute to further strengthening gender and adolescent focus of integrated programming. 
• The position holder contributes to the achievement of concrete and sustainable programme/project results on Integrated programmes approaches according to plans, allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM) and UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework.

• Design and update the situation analysis and assessments on opportunities for integrated programme approach to establish evidence-based data to support holistic policy and programme development, as well as coordinated planning, implementation and monitoring of UNICEF programme in targeted locations, within the country programme.
• Keep abreast of national, regional and international development priorities to identify opportunities where integrated approaches can enhance inter-sector partnership, integration and linkages.
• Participate in CO programme planning to determine strategic areas integration of programme interventions. Contribute to the formulation, design and preparation of the Country Programme to ensure integration of programme at community level in a holistic manner and to ensure alignment of programmes with the MTSP, UNICEF’s Strategic Plans and coherence/integration with UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), regional strategies and national priorities, plans and competencies.
• Establish specific goals, objectives, strategies and implementation plans for community level integration of programmes/projects using a results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepare required documentations related to programme integration for review and approval.
• Promote and provide technical expertise to major monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual reviews with government and other counterparts to assess progress in integrated approaches, and to engage stakeholders to take required action/interventions to achieve results
• Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to discuss strategies and methodologies and to determine priorities/competencies to promote inter-sector partnerships and holistic approach at community level.

• Plan and/or collaborate with monitoring and evaluation initiatives to establish benchmarks, performance indicators and other UNICEF/UN system indicators, to assess/strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of concrete and sustainable results on integrated programmes/projects at community level.
• 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.
• Monitor integrated programme approaches to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution.
• /prepare updates and reports to management and other partners to keep them informed on programme progress and critical issues.

• Provide technical advice and/or written guidance to key government officials, NGO, UN system and other country office partners on policies, strategies, best practices and approaches on approaches to integration to support programme development planning, implementation and delivery of results.
• Participate in strategic discussions, meetings and other international/national meetings and workshops to provide evidence-based papers and inputs to influence approaches on integrated approaches to programme.
• Prepare policy papers, briefs and other strategic programme materials for management use, information and consideration in programme development discussion and planning

• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships through networking and advocacy with local/national governments, UN system agency partners, donors, internationally recognized institutions, NGOs, funding organizations, research institutes, universities, private sector and communities to reinforce cooperation and/or pursue opportunities to promote goals and achieve sustainable and broad results on integrated approaches at community level.
• Prepare communication strategies and implementation plans and activities for initiatives for maximum communication impact and outreach to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and promote increased investments in integrated approach to programmes.
• Participate and/or represent UNICEF in inter-agency (UNCT) discussions and planning to ensure organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the UNDAF development planning and agenda setting process. Collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues in the UNDAF planning and preparation of programmes/projects including emergency preparedness.

• Promote critical thinking, innovative approaches and good practices for integrated programmes/projects initiatives through advocacy and technical advisory services.
• Keep abreast, research, benchmark, introduce and implement best and cutting-edge practices on integrated programme approaches. Institutionalize and disseminate best practices and knowledge learned to support development planning and implementation.
• Contribute to the development of policies and procedures and introduce innovation and best practices to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programmes and projects.
• Organize/plan/implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of a wide range of internal and external partners/stakeholders to promote sustainable results on integrated approaches to programmes.

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: education, public administration, public health, nutrition, economics, psychology, sociology, human development, child development, family studies or another relevant technical field.
• A minimum of eight years of professional experience in social development planning and management in early childhood development related areas is required.
• Developing country work experience is considered an asset.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as 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.

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