Programme Specialist (Cross Sectoral) – P3  

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, a fair chance

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have worked in the Philippines continuously since 1948.

UNICEF’s vision for every child in the Philippines is intimately linked to the realization of several Sustainable Development Goals and the promise to leave no one behind.  By 2030, we want to see that no child in the Philippines suffers from hunger; that every child has access to good health services, quality education opportunities, clean water and toilets; and children grow up protected and develop in an inclusive, just and peaceful society.

Since its establishment, UNICEF has been helping the Philippine government to strengthen national policies, programmes and services to ensure that all Filipino children enjoy their rights. UNICEF supports the Government to extend the coverage and implementation of policies and legislation that benefit children and the most disadvantaged; to support the implementation of positive budget reforms and leverage the considerable fiscal space; to innovate and adapt national programmes to support inclusivity and relevance in diverse remote rural areas, impoverished urban areas, hazard and conflict-prone areas; and to strengthen national capacity to monitor change for children.

As an impartial partner, we are mandated to work with both state and non-state actors to protect the rights and promote the wellbeing of every child. We have successfully worked through many Government reforms in the Philippines, and we continue to work with the national government, its different agencies, and departments, and with local government units and authorities, including the Bangsamoro Transition Authority in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

UNICEF’s capacity, technical skills and structure allow us to work effectively with policy and decision-makers and be among the first responders to humanitarian crisis. It allows us to assess and respond quickly to the priorities and needs of communities in the most remote and underserved areas of the country. 

UNICEF’s geographic priority areas in the Philippines include Northern Samar, Western Samar, Zamboanga del Norte and BARMM, Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

Visit this link for more information on UNICEF in the Philippines https://www.unicef.org/philippines/

How can you make a difference?

The Programme Specialist (Cross Sectoral) handles the coordination of both the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the different programmes and projects. It includes programme support role that covers programme monitoring and evaluation (PME), mainstreaming social and behaviour change (SBC), adolescent development and participation (ADAP), gender, disability inclusion (DI) and emergency preparedness and response.

The Programme Specialist is accountable for the cross-sectoral coordination functions throughout the programming process within the Country Programme, from development planning to delivery of results, especially in the execution of the multisectoral development projects, including KOICA and EU Grants. Through coordination with the section heads, the PS ensures that cross-cutting themes such as SBC, ADAP, Gender and DI are mainstreamed in each of the section during the preparation, execution, management and implementation of the technical and administrative programme tasks. The PS also oversees the programme progress monitoring, evaluation and the timely reporting of results to inform decision-making, strategic discussions, programming and consumption of partners and donors and resource mobilization agenda. The PS will be deputized with some of the CFO’s functions (especially in the absence of the latter). The PS leads the cross-sectoral coordination of the emergency preparedness and response activities in coordination with the section heads and will also serve as the emergency focal point for the Field Office.

Under the supervision of the Chief of the Mindanao Field Office, the post shall undertake the following responsibilities:

1. Cross-sectoral project coordination functions – mostly for KOICA and EU Projects

2. Programme Monitoring and Evaluation

3. Coordination of emergency preparedness and response /serve as the emergency focal point for the field office

4. Coordinating and Mainstreaming SBC, ADAP, Gender and Disability Inclusion in all aspects of the programme

5. Deputizing the Chief of Field Office

*A complete Job description may be found in this Specific_JD_Programme Specialist (Cross Sectoral MFO) PHI24022.pdf outlining the specific tasks aligned to the responsibilities.

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

• Advanced University Degree in one of the following fields: International Development, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science.

A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s) in a relevant field (as identified above), in conjunction with additional eight (8) years of relevant work experience maybe taken in lieu of an advanced university degree.

• At least 5 years of relevant experience and proven expertise in the area of coordination (especially matrix type) and programme management.
• Previous demonstrable experience in working on SBC, PME, Gender, Disability Inclusion and Adolescent development and participation and emergency preparedness and response.
• Experience in working with the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in a similar capacity is an advantage.
• Demonstrated capacity to work and liaise with external partners in project management.
• Facilitation of strategic linkages is required.
• Background and/or familiarity with emergency and/or humanitarian is considered as an asset
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of the local language (Tagalog) and Korean language is an asset.

*A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.

How to apply

Qualified candidates are requested to complete an online candidate profile in http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/ by 22 March 2023 Only applications sent through the e-recruitment portal under Job No. 570232 will be considered.

By applying through our Talent Management System (TMS) you agree to our privacy statement which is in line with the Philippines’ Data Privacy Act. You are strongly advised to read carefully through the privacy statement before submitting your application.

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

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

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

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 benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
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 promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. 

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable Male candidates are encouraged to apply.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also 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 cancelled.

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.

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

This is how cinfo can support you in the application process for this specific position: 

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