Representative, D-1 at UNICEF

The Representative serves as the accredited representative of UNICEF in the country and reports to the Regional Director for general direction and oversight. The Representative is responsible for establishing dialogue with the Government to develop the framework of cooperation in the country and for working closely and collaboratively with the Government and national institutions, stakeholders and partners, to develop the Government-UNICEF Country Programme of Cooperation in active support of efforts to advance children’s rights as established under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, other international treaties/frameworks, national development plans, the SDGs, and UN intergovernmental bodies.

As head of the Country Office, the Representative is responsible for providing leadership and vision to the UNICEF Country Office team in managing and leveraging resources for the achievement of results and realization of the rights of children. The Representative leads and oversees the various programme sectors and operations teams ensuring delivery of quality results in accordance with UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework, ethics and integrity. The Representative is accountable for upholding UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability, and ensuring the establishment and maintenance of a non-discriminatory, inclusive and nurturing working environment for all staff and personnel, to enable them to effectively and efficiently deliver high-quality results for children.

How can you make a difference?

The Representative’s key functions and accountabilities include:

• Developing and planning the Country Programme
• Leading and managing the Country Office
• Monitoring and quality control of the Country Programme
• Representation and external relations at global/regional and national level
• Delivering high quality results for children, including in a complex operating environment
• Support to the Resident Coordinator and UN Country Team to advance the UN Cooperation Framework
• Leading resource mobilization efforts and nurturing and strengthening partnerships
• Leading innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
• Safety, security and well-being of staff, programmes and organizational assets

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have

Qualifications:

• An Advanced University Degree in social sciences, international relations, government and public relations, public or social policy, sociology, social or community development or other related fields, is required.
• A minimum of 13 years professional development experience that combines intellectual and managerial leadership in development cooperation at the international level, some of which served in developing countries is required. Relevant professional experience in any UN system agency or organization is an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.

Person Profile:

• Strong management skills and track record at the international level.
• International and developing country knowledge and practical field experience, in the areas of programme and operations.
• Strong experience in policy advocacy and upstream work.
• Proven knowledge and experience in formulating strategies and managing a large size programme (sectoral and multisectoral, development, humanitarian, advocacy, policy dialogue and capacity building).
• Experience in engagement in policy level dialogue and on development aid effectiveness.
• Substantive knowledge of application of a human rights-based approach in practice, and results-based programming.
• Experience in ensuring integration and synergy across sectoral programmes in accordance with best practices.
• High levels of political acumen and strong diplomatic skills.
• Demonstrated capacity to provide leadership and engagement in a strong Delivering as One context.
• Demonstrated ability to direct and foster strategic partnerships, and to mobilize and leverage resources for children.
• Emergency preparedness and response, and related capacity building support experience, at country and international levels.
• Proven capacity to lead, motivate and develop a large size team.
• Proven risk management skills.

 Competencies

• Builds and maintains partnerships
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
• Drive to achieve results for impact
• Innovates and embraces change
• Manages ambiguity and complexity
• Thinks and acts strategically
• Works collaboratively with others
• Nurtures, leads and manages people