Re-Advertisement:Programme Officer (Gender Equality), NO-1, Bucharest, Romania, #127043, Temporary Appointment 364 days -Open for citizens of Romania only

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, Equity!

Why working for UNICEF video 

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

The UNICEF Gender Action Plan (GAP), 2022–2025, operationalizes the UNICEF Gender Policy, 2021–2030, by specifying how UNICEF will promote gender equality across its programmes and workplaces. It affirms that promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls is the responsibility of everyone, regardless of organizational role. The purpose of this job underlines UNICEF Romania’s commitment to gender equality and gender transformative programming.

Job organizational context:

To advance the rights of children and women and promote gender equality, in line with UNICEF’s Gender Action Plan as well as the organization’s global Strategic Plan (2022-2025) goal areas UNICEF will advance gender equality, from before birth through adolescence. UNICEF Romania is committed to implement its own office-wide Gender Action Plan through its different programmatic interventions as well as advocacy and communications.

Purpose for the job: The purpose of this position is to provide technical assistance for programme design, planning and implementation as well as management across all programmatic interventions, including the preparation and response to emergencies and the intersection to its development-oriented work (nexus). This assignment will also support the implementation of monitoring and evaluation, data analysis, communication, coordination, fundraising and partnership efforts and development of progress reports in support of achievement of programme goals and objectives. The incumbent will be supervised and report to the UNICEF Deputy Representative for overall coordination within programmes as well as vis-à-vis communications, operations and front office, with regular de-briefing with the UNICEF Representative about the progress of work. The incumbent will be also supporting UNICEF Deputy Representative in monitoring trends, statistics and research on gender related issues, doing gender analysis and supporting the efforts of mainstreaming gender issues into programming across different sectors by providing data and evidence and technical support, in close collaboration with the Child Rights Monitoring Specialist.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks

1. Programme Development and Management
2. Communication and Advocacy at the National, Community and Family Levels
3. Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration
4. Raising of Program Funds
5. Programme Monitoring and Evaluations

1. Programme Development and Management

Provide technical assistance in programme development and management by collecting and analyzing data and monitoring implementation progress. Contribute to the identification of critical intervention points and measures by administering a consistent and transparent monitoring system. Draft or prepare programme work plans as required. Propose adjustments/changes in work plans. Propose program recommendations for inclusion in formal programme documentation.

2. Communication and Advocacy at the National, Community and Family Levels

Analyze programme related issues and policies from children’s and women’s rights perspective and advocacy at the community and family levels for elevating credibility in national policy debates. Promote the organization goals of UNICEF through active advocacy and communication.

3. Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration

Facilitate partnership 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 and support advocacy efforts. Represent UNICEF in public events for advocacy and representative purpose, as needed. Provide involved stakeholders and partners with technical assistance and support for the purpose of capacity building and programme sustainability.

4. Raising of Program Funds

In line with the overall UNICEF Romania fundraising strategy and (especially programmatic) needs, support the Deputy Representative and sections with fundraising to ensure resources for gender transformative programming, advocacy, and communications are available, thereby allowing to implement the UNICEF Romania Gender Action Plan.

5. Programme Monitoring and Evaluations

Undertake field visits to monitor and assess programme implementation and decide on required corrective action, jointly with sections as appropriate. Collaborate with implementing and other partners to carry out a rigorous and transparent approach to evaluation to improve efficiency and quality of programme delivery as well as creation of evidence. Participate in coordination meetings with government counterparts and other stakeholders. Collaborate and prepare program status reports in a timely manner, as required.

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

• Education: University degree in Social Sciences, including Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Policy and Social Development, or other relevant disciplines. Specialized training in Sociology and Communication for Development is an asset
• Experience: At least one year of relevant professional work experience and/or field work experience required
• Background/familiarity with Emergency is considered as an asset. Experience in Coordinating Research, Monitoring and evaluation, Advocacy, and Communication for Development is an asset.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in Romanian 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. 

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

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  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.