Programme Specialist

How can you make a difference? 

The situation in Afghanistan remains exceptionally complex, with a protracted emergency, characterized by recurrent natural disasters, an increased number of people living in poverty, continued internal displacement, unprecedented levels of food insecurity, further compounded by climate change.  This complexity has greatly impacted the situation of children and women in the country. UNICEF is required to rapidly adapt our ways of working to address the multiple operational constraints present in the highly volatile and unpredictable context, identifying opportunities for integration and enhancing efficiencies. This includes the need to establish a Programme Specialist position that will provide operational and transactional capacity to the programme team to ensure urgent lifesaving and resilience building programmes.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Chief Field Office, the programme specialist is accountable for programme, planning, design, implementation, monitoring, reporting and administration of specific projects within a major programme, in accordance with the Country Programme Recommendation and Country Programme Management Plan, focused on achievement of UNICEF’s Priorities in the Northern Region. He/she will be based in Mazar Field Office with a second reporting line to the Chief Field Services. The programme specialist will supervise and manage the planning officer, programme management officer, Information Management Officer, SBC Officer, and other staff as assigned by direct supervisor.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

• Knowledge Management for Programmes
• Programme Development and Management
• Optimum Use of Programme Funds
• Programme Monitoring and Evaluations
• Rights-Based and Results-Based Programme Management Approach
• National and Local Capacity Building/Sustainability
• Rights Perspective and Advocacy at the National, Regional, Community and Family Levels
• Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration
• Efficient and effective supervision
• Knowledge Management for Programmes

Ensure that area/country programmes in the assigned regions are strengthened by knowledge management through data collection and analysis, complete and accurate reporting as well as participation in the Programme Knowledge Network system of  “lessons learned” and other corporate-level databases.

Participate in information exchange through donor and media visits as well as in the development of training and orientation materials.

Programme Development and Management

• Contribute to the preparation of the Situation Analysis for programme development. Administer a consistent and transparent monitoring system, providing accurate analysis of country and regional level socio-political-economic trends and their implications for ongoing programmes and projects.
• Support preparation of programme work plans as required. Responsible for preparation of program recommendations for inclusion in formal programme documentation, and new approaches, methods and practices.

Optimum Use of Programme Funds

• Assist in establishing programme work plans and monitors progress and compliance.
• Help to manage allocation and disbursement of programme funds, ensuring that funds are properly coordinated, monitored, and liquidated.
• Takes appropriate actions to optimize use of programme funds.
• Ensure programme efficiency and delivery through transparent approach to programme planning, monitoring and evaluation.

Programme Monitoring and Evaluations

• Undertakes field visits to monitor and assess programme implementation and decides on required corrective action.
• Carry out a rigorous and transparent approach to evaluation and participate the major programme evaluation exercises in consultation with the Representative, the Operations Officer, the Evaluation Officer, and others to improve efficiency and quality of programme delivery.
• Participate in annual sector review meetings with government counterparts.
• Ensure the timely preparation of annual programme status reports.
• Update zonal office risk mitigation matrix for PMU programmes.
• In coordination with PMD, provide oversight for programmatic visits and HACT assurance activities.

Rights-Based and Results-Based Programme Management Approach

• Assure the quality of child rights-based programmes through consistent and effective planning, design, implementation, monitoring and/or evaluation of programmes and projects.
• Bring coherence, synergy and added value to the programming planning and design processes using a results-based management approach to programme design.
• Ensure viable recommendations on project implementation, alternative approaches, and optimal utilization of resources that contribute effectively to the fulfilment of the rights of children and women, and recommendations on new programme initiatives and management issues to ensure achievement of stated objectives.

National and Local Capacity Building/Sustainability

• Provide government authorities with technical supports and guidance to plan and organize training programmes for the purpose of capacity building and programme sustainability.
• Ensure the building or reinforcing of the commitment and institutional capacities of the national and local partners starting with taking a strategic approach to the identification of these partners and partnerships.

Rights Perspective and Advocacy at the National, Regional, Community and Family Levels

• Conducts policy analysis from a children’s and women’s rights perspective and advocacy at the community and family levels for credibility in national and international policy debates.
• Promote the organization goals of UNICEF through advocacy and policy dialogue.

Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration

• Develop partnerships and collaboration with internal and external counterparts, including those of the UN and national partners, to improve the ability to collect and disseminate development data and information, exchange information on programme/project status and implementation and movement/distribution of supplies.
• Establish and maintain linkage to the Regional Programme Knowledge Network to ensure the availability of current and accurate programme data.
• Collaborate with the Operations Section to establish and maintain sound internal controls supportive of programming endeavors and to coordinate financial and supply management requirements and accountability.
• Collaborate with PMD to establish and maintain sound internal controls supportive of managing and monitoring the programme contribution and efficiencies and coordinate Extender Management in the assigned region.
• Maintain collaboration with Section Chiefs, Chief of Field Services, Deputy Representative, and other Senior Programme staff for effective overall coordination on programmes.
• Plans, develops, and implements sectoral programme(s) by collaborating with the government and other partners. Provide leadership in provision of technical advice, negotiation, advocacy, and promotion of area/country level goals, leading to agreement on practicable and priority actions to be supported by UNICEF programme and country level cooperation.
• Act as first officer in charge of the zone office in coordinating programme planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting.

Efficient and effective supervision

• Supervise, mentor and coach the planning officer, programme management officer, Information Management Officer, SBC Officer and other staff as assigned by direct supervisor.
• Provide exemplary management and leadership, motivating and developing colleagues to perform at their best, while building diverse and inclusive teams

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

Minimum requirements:

Education:

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: Social Sciences, International Relations, Government, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or another relevant technical field.

Work Experience: 

• Five years of relevant professional work experience is required.
• Experience in programme management, planning, monitoring and reporting is required.
• Experience in programme integration is required.
• Experience in coordinating humanitarian response is required.
• Familiarity with UNICEF’s programmes in complex emergency is preferred.
• Experience in multi-stakeholder co-ordination and facilitation is an asset.
• Excellent communication & presentation skills (written & verbal) across multiple audiences with the ability to influence others while working in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity is preferred.
• High motivation, and dedication to deliver results within strict timeframes is preferred
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required, and local languages (Dari & Pashto) is an asset.

Source: https://jobs.unicef.org/cw/en-us/job/575324