Job Vacancies at United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)

Work type: Temporary Appointment
Level: P-3
Location: Kenya
Categories: Education, Emergency Programme, P-3

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, hope.

How can you make a difference?

Somalia has according to INFORM the highest risk level in the world with high level of military violence and natural hazards like drought and floods combined with very low coping capacity after 25 years of conflict. Since 1991 the education sector in Somalia has borne the brunt of the civil war and insurgency with a near complete destruction of all education institutions. In Somalia, two generations have reached adulthood with practically no access to education, and currently 78,3%, 1,7 million, of the school age children (5-14 years) are out of school in Central South Somalia. In response to the crisis, the Somalia Education Cluster was activated in 2008 as per the IASC principles and currently has about 100 EiE partners. The Somalia Education Cluster is co-led by UNICEF and Save the Children and has a secretariat of 3 staff including a cluster coordinator, cluster officer and cluster information management officer.

The secretariat is based in Mogadishu at the UNICEF country office. The Cluster coordinator is responsible for the daily operation of the cluster and management of the cluster team. The Cluster coordinator reports to the UNICEF Emergency Manager and the position is based in the Emergency team. UNICEF is looking for a highly qualified education in emergencies specialist for the position as cluster coordinator (TA P4) for a 7 months period as maternity leave cover.

Key Deliverables

Ensure the cluster fulfills its responsibilities related to the 6+1 cluster core functions incl. but not limited to:

• Ensure quality monthly 4W reporting from partners, UNICEF Sitrep reporting, and SRF reporting to OCHA as well as publication of response information at the cluster website
• Oversight of roll out of harmonized needs assessment tool
• Through a consultative process, develop a comprehensive and thorough needs analysis for the HNO 2021 based on PiN and severity methodologies developed in 2020. Ensure continued engagement with REACH (JMCNA) for relevant data collection and data analysis
• Through a consultative process, develop a comprehensive and thorough response plan for the HRP 2021, including a transparent HRP project selection process
• Attend monthly ICCG meetings and engage proactively in ICCG processes as well as HCT level discussion when requested
• Ensure continued engagement and support for regional cluster focal points
• Manage funding processes incl. SHF and ensure needs-based allocation strategies and transparent project selection processes incl. regional level review as per cluster procedures
• Maintain close working relationships with key donors including ECHO, GPE, and ECW
• Ensure continued advocacy for EiE response and when needed specific topics within the response. As needed publish relevant issues of the Keeping Children Safe series
• Ensure all trainings planned for 2020 are completed and training evaluations are feeding into further improvement of training content and methodology

Manage the cluster team and the daily operation of the cluster:

• Daily management of cluster team including regular team meetings, tracking of progress against annual work plan and performance review of 2020.
• Organize quarterly CLA meetings with Save the Children and UNICEF.

 

Implement the Somalia Education Cluster 2020 work plan (key priorities are Protective Role of Education; AAP; Quality of the EiE Response; and Localization):

Implement the detailed 2020 work plan (July-Dec) including but not limited to:

• 6 monthly cluster meetings
• 1 Joint Retreat for Regional Focal Points and Regional MoE staff
• 2 SAG meetings including review of implementation progress of the operational framework (and work plan). Ensure progress is thoroughly recorded against framework indicators
• 4 Regional trainings (NA, EiE, Dashboard)
• 7 monthly ECW meetings + ad hoc meetings as needed
• General donor engagement
• Advance implementation and monitoring of the Education-Child Protection Response Framework by partners, continued engagement in Attacks on Education reporting (SSD task force + MRM), and IDP safety audits
• Ensure children's voices survey findings and JMCNA child interview findings is thoroughly included in HNO 2021 and response allocation strategies. Further provide continued support to the Child Safeguarding work in the cluster incl. trainings and if possible translation of the KCS Global Child Safeguarding Guidelines
• Implement the Localization Action Plan 2020
• Ensure the findings from the Lessons Learnt study is guiding HRP 2021 development, partner project design, and allocation strategies, and support the MSWG in developing the compliance monitoring mechanism

Development of Education Cluster Operational Framework 2021-2023:

• Based on CCPM results (June) and through a consultative process including SAG, partners and CLA develop the Education Cluster Operational Framework 2021-2023. Ensure the framework is used to guide all cluster work including development of 2021 work plan. A comprehensive monitoring tool should be developed for quarterly progress tracking. Further ensure the framework is widely disseminated to cluster partners. If funding is available print hard copies of the framework and translate to Somali.

Develop 2021 work plan and budget through a consultative process:

• Through a consultative process with SAG, partners and CLA develop the 2021 work plan and budget. Identify wide range of funding sources to cover activity costs of the cluster

Develop Education Cluster Annual Report 2020:

• Through a consultative process with inputs from SAG, partners and CLA develop the 2020 Annual Report and launch widely at national, regional and global level

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

• Advanced University degree in areas of Education, social sciences or relevant subject matter. First university degree with additional two-years of relevant work experience is acceptable in lieu of an advanced university degree
• A minimum of Five(5) years of relevant professional work experience.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The functional competencies required for this post are...

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

View our competency framework at UNICEF Competencies

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.

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How can you make a difference?

UNICEF Somalia played a key role in making sure that child-focused data, with attention to gender and minorities, was included in the country’s first national development plan in 30 years. We have been tackling issues such as child mortality, better access to health services, severe malnutrition, and stronger child rights. We are working with partners to address the alarming food insecurity and malnutrition levels in Somalia. We are supporting community based reintegration programs for children released from armed groups, and are working on developing a social protection policy. We are also conducting robust HACT implementation.

The PME section of the UNICEF Somalia Office seeks to recruit a highly-qualified Implementing Partnership Specialist to provide oversight, quality assurance and technical support to the management of implementing CSO partnerships and compliance with the respective operational policies and procedures in the country office. Support PM&E’s efforts to increase staff and partner understanding of UNICEF policy and procedures and enhance efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery and support of results for children specifically to focus on rules and procedures that apply to collaborative actions between UNICEF and civil society organizations with UNICEF resources, focusing specifically on formalized arrangements with partners that are governed by a programme cooperation agreement (PCA), small-scale funding agreement (SSFA). Effective oversight, technical assistance and guidance provided by the Specialist will lead to effective implementing partnership management and enhance UNICEF’s credibility to partners and directly impact on programme execution and delivery of sustainable results.

Join our team and help us make sure every child has a champion.

Support to implementing partnership management

• Provide technical assistance to country offices in the formalization of partnerships with government, civil society organizations and other implementing partners in line with relevant policies, procedures and guidelines including the CSO procedure and guidance on work plans.
• Provide technical assistance to country office in the implementation of CSO partnerships in line with the CSO Policy and Procedure and other relevant organizational policies, procedures and guidelines including UNICEF’s Strategic Framework for Partnerships and Collaborative Relationships, and the Guiding Principles of Partnership with CSOs. This procedure is to be read in conjunction with the UNICEF HACT Policy and Procedure, Programme Policy and Procedure Manual, the Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action, UNICEF Supply Manual and the Simplified Standard Operating Procedures for Level 3 and Level 2 Emergencies. These recognize that partnerships between UNICEF and civil society organizations (CSO) are critical to achieving results for children in both development and humanitarian contexts.
• Guide, advise and support country office in partnership submission, review and approval processes and the development of country level programmatic assurance plans.
• Guide, advise and support country office in the use of UNICEF tools and systems (i.e. e-Tools, InSight, VISION) as it relates to developing and implementing CSO partnerships.

Oversight and quality assurance

• Enhance the office’s capacity for effective and efficient CSO partnership processes. Under the general guidance and supervision of the Programme Specialist provide technical guidance and support to programme sections and field offices for the advancement of CSO partnerships towards the Implementation of the UNICEF Somalia Country Programme.
• Ensure the required duties and responsibilities of the PRC secretary are carried out as specified by the CSO Procedure, Annex A (ToR for the Partnership Review Committee) and coordinated the timely processing (quality assurance) of the following umbrella programme cooperation agreements (PCAs) in conformity to global standards and CO specific requirements.
• Ensure the required duties and responsibilities of the PRC secretary are carried out as specified by the CSO Procedure, Annex A (ToR for the Partnership Review Committee) and managed the timely processing (quality assurance) of the following programme documents (PDs) in conformity to global standards and CO specific requirements.
• Provide oversight and ensure quality assurance processes are in place on the implementation of the CSO Procedure. This includes ensuring that partners are selected in accordance with the CSO Procedure, time limits for operationalizing partnerships are met, especially in humanitarian responses, results are clearly articulated and SMART and budgets reflect actual requirements for achieving results.

Analysis, monitoring and reporting

• Monitor and report on the status of CSO partnerships implementation at the country level using corporate tools and systems such as e-Tools and InSight.
• Prepare reports for Regional Office and Headquarters as may be required.
• Analyze and monitor umbrella PCA and PD submission, review and approval processes at regional and country level.
• Provide technical guidance on the following partnerships processes to programme sections (ZO & CO) and PRC (ZO & CO)
• Provide analysis of partnerships from lenses of results and value, risk and assurance, and transparency and accountability.

Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Support and facilitate country office capacity and knowledge exchange on in-country implementing partnerships management intra-office processes.
• Support and facilitate country office capacity development activities of staff and implementing partners on implementing partnership management with a special focus on implementation of CSO Procedures.
• Identify and share good practices on implementing partnership management in general and CSO partnerships in particular and interact with NYHQ and other agencies at global, regional and country level on matters concerning implementing partnership management.

• Support country offices in the roll-out and implementation of e-Tools for implementing partnership management.
• Develop training/orientation materials and training calendar and schedule to support proposed joint capacity strengthening exercise for implementation by Partnerships, HACT, Contribution Management teams.
• Provide support along specified lines to meet individual needs. Implement a needs assessment exercise.

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

• Education:  Master's Degree in international development, public affairs, international relations, political science or other related field. *First university degree with two-years of additional relevant work experience is acceptable in lieu of an advanced university degree
• Work Experience: At least five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in programme partnership coordination and management, project administration, monitoring and evaluation.
• Language Proficiency: Fluency in English is required with knowledge of another UN language considered as an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The competencies required for this post are...

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