Programme Specialist, (P-3), FT, #111582, Caracas – Venezuela, LACR

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, response

The primary function of the Office of the Representative is to provide vision, leadership and strategic direction to the Venezuela Country Programme within the complex context of Venezuela; and to set and direct implementation of the objectives of the Venezuela Country Programme in congruence with the regional approach of UNICEF with regard to the Venezuela Migrant Crisis (VMC).

In coordination with the staff members reporting directly to the Representative including the Executive Assistant, this post will manage the efficient operation of the Representative’s Office in all aspects of his/her work, including administrative and management; planning and coordinating within the various sections/units of the Country Office, other parts of UNICEF and all key stakeholder (Government, political entities, donors, civil society organizations, research and academic community, national and international NGOs etc…) and contributing to the overall roles and responsibilities of the Representative’s Office to achieve maximum and efficient results for children.

How can you make a difference?

1. Executive Leadership Planning and Monitoring

Support the high-level advocacy engagement of the Representative and translate his/her policy reform intents, direction and actions on influencing the humanitarian space and fostering management priorities within the emergency level L2 benchmarks

Assist in the coordination of key endeavors between senior management of the CO, Regional Office and Headquarters to create an environment conducive to effective and accelerated program delivery.

Monitor, follow up and coordinate leadership management action and direction within VCO (MMM; CMT; EMT…) with a special focus on the interaction with the OHCHR team.

As needed, draft strategic correspondence, perform data analysis, and compile documentation and reference data as required by the strategic priorities set forth by the Representative.

Coordinate with senior leadership of the CO in ensuring VCO’s contribution to external coordination architecture (UNCT, HCT, HQ coordination platforms, high-level missions) and quality oversight and leadership of the Representative in management of humanitarian clusters.

Undertake special projects, as directed by the Representative in close collaboration with the Deputy Representatives of Programs and of Operations, the Chief Field Operations Officer and the Chief Communication.

Support the contribution of the Representative to the Venezuela regional coordination mechanisms established by the Regional Office.

2. High-level Advocacy

Ensure that adequate and context-sensitive actions are taken to ensure that the advocacy strategy of the Representative (UNICEF’s core mandate, strengthening of humanitarian space, effective humanitarian diplomacy and resources leveraging) leverages all the available assets of the Organization – including data analysis and foresighting initiatives – within/outside Venezuela.

Participate in the implementation and monitoring of preparedness and response plans of action in sectors of concern to UNICEF.

Assist in the monitoring of the implementation of the advocacy and resource mobilization strategy of the CO.

3. Monitoring and Reporting

As needed, assist the Resources Mobilization and Private Sector Partnership team in the production of monthly and/or ad-hoc relevant performance monitoring reports.

Contributes to the development of donor proposals, reports, field visit background documents and undertake field visits with the Representative as needed and follow-up on corrective or adjustment measures decided by the Representative.

Develop and operate monitoring tools to facilitate the cross-sectoral leadership roles and responsibilities of the Representative.

Prepare in consultation with the Deputy Representative Programs sector review meetings and other ad-hoc consultation with government and other key counterparts.

4. Operational Support to the Representative’s Activities

Establish and maintain effective procedures to manage and coordinate the Office of the Representative.

Manage in consultation with the Executive Assistant the daily priorities, schedule and calendar of the Representative and identify opportunities for strategic engagement.

Arrange and prepare meetings and invitations involving the Representative with senior leadership of the UN, the Government, civil society, NGO partners, and public/private donors.

Carry out special assignments including networking initiatives, clusters management, oversight of special high-impact projects of the Representative and background research on selected topics.

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

Education:

An advanced university degree in a social sciences field is required. A first-level university degree combined with additional 2 years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience:

Eight years progressively responsible professional work experience at the national and international levels in social development, management, monitoring and evaluation and humanitarian action.
Knowledge and experience in working in emergency situations in Latin America in general, and in Venezuela in particular, is an asset.
Experience in working for UNICEF and with the international humanitarian architecture is highly desirable.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in Spanish and English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is 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

 

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.

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. 

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

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.