Current Openings at United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)

How can you make a difference?

The Nutrition Specialist (Governance & Systems) supports the development and preparation of governance and system-strengthening components of the nutrition programme and is responsible for managing, implementing, monitoring, evaluating, and reporting the programme progress of the same within Kenya country programme. The Nutrition Specialist provides technical guidance and management support throughout the programming processes to facilitate the administration and achievement of concrete and sustainable results in maternal, infant and child nutrition programmes/projects.

Support to multisectoral programme development, planning and management

• Provide strategic engagement with relevant national and county government sectors as well as stakeholders to enhance effective multisectoral programme development, coordination, planning, and management by contributing timely and effective technical advice, guidance and inputs.
• Promote the quality of rights-based nutrition programme through participation in the formulation of multisectoral programme goals, strategies and approaches bringing coherence, synergy and added value to coordination and implementation of activities on cross-cutting issues internally within UNICEF programme sectors (Health, WASH, Education and Social Policy, etc.), with the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF)and amongst relevant government sectors and stakeholders for a heightened systems approach toward sustainable results for maternal and child nutrition,
• Provide overall leadership of the SUN vision of “by and through government” and operationalization of its determinant (accountability, leadership, advocacy, policy framework, coordination, financing, etc).
• Establish specific goals, objectives, strategies, and implementation plans for the nutrition sector(s)with a focus on governance and system strengthening in national and county government-based service delivery and strong referral linkages utilizing results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepare the required documentation for programme review and approval.
• Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to discuss strategies and methodologies, and to determine national priorities/competencies to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results.
• Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes to ensure integration, coherence and harmonization of programmes/projects with other UNICEF sectors and achievement of results as planned and allocated.
• Lead, develop and oversee the adaptation of the nutrition programme and nutrition environment into gender-transformative ones.
• Keep abreast of development trends to enhance coordinated multisectoral and multistakeholder systematic programme management, efficiency and delivery.

Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results

• Support effective nutrition programme management by the timely completion of the situational analysis and its periodic update through accurate and complete monitoring and analysis, addressing gender inequality and determinants of gender/sex/geographic equality; ensure the timely preparation or finalization of sectoral input.
• Plan and/or collaborate with internal and external partners to establish monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators, and UNICEF/UN system indicators and measurements, to assess and strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of concrete and sustainable results for the assigned sector in nutrition programme related to related system strengthening.
• Contribute to and support national and county governments and other counterparts to prepare, design and assess progress as well as determine through regular updates of the situation analysis for the nutrition sector(s) to ensure comprehensive and current data on maternal and child nutrition is available to guide policy development and the design and management of nutrition programmes/projects.
• Prepare and assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths and/or weaknesses in governance and systems strengthening in Nutrition programme management. Identify lessons learned and use the knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals.
• Actively monitor programmes and projects through field visits, surveys and/or exchange of information with partners and stakeholders to assess progress. Identify bottlenecks and potential problems and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution.
• Monitor and verify the optimum and appropriate use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets) confirming compliance with organizational rules, regulations, procedures, donor commitments, and standards of accountability. Ensure timely reporting and liquidation of resources.
• Prepare regular and mandated programme/project reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of programme progress.

Technical and operational support to programme implementation

• Provide technical guidance and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and other country office partners/donors on the interpretation, application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes, best practices, and approaches on nutrition and related issues to support programme development planning, management, implementation, and delivery of results.
• Participate in discussions with national partners, clients and stakeholders to promote nutrition and development issues, especially in the areas of emergency preparedness and maternal, newborn and child survival and development.
• Draft policy papers, briefs and other strategic programme materials for management use, information and/or consideration.
• Participate in emergency preparedness initiatives for programme development, contingency planning and/or respond to emergencies in the country or where designated.
• Provide technical assistance to strengthen governance, and systems strengthening, in county governments to implement quality nutrition interventions.

Networking and partnership building

• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with nutrition sector government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of information and knowledge.
• Facilitate programme implementation and build the capacity of stakeholders to achieve programme goals on maternal and child rights as well as social justice and equity.
• Provide technical advice and assistance on governance and system strengthening to partners in the planning and management of nutrition programmes/projects.
• Support effective communication and prepare information materials for CO programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships/alliances and support fundraising for nutrition programmes.
• Participate and/or represent UNICEF in inter-agency discussions, ensuring that UNICEF’s sector position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated into the UNDAF development planning and agenda setting.

Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Strengthen the sectoral knowledge management process by developing/reviewing sectoral documents and reports and national/county programme plans of action. Ensure exchange of knowledge, information, experience or lessons learned; provide solid technical recommendations on major programme directions.
• Enhance collaboration with the CAP section to ensure the development of effective nutrition programme communication materials and strategies to support advocacy and social mobilization efforts.
• Apply and introduce innovative approaches and good practices to build the capacity of partners and stakeholders, and to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable programme results.
• Keep abreast, research, benchmark, and implement best and cutting-edge practices in nutrition management, information system and system strengthening. Assess, institutionalize and share best practices and knowledge learned.
• Contribute to developing and implementing policies and procedures to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programmes and projects.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in one of the following fields is required:  nutrition, public health, nutritional epidemiology, global/international health and nutrition, health/nutrition research, policy and/or management, health sciences, nutritional epidemiology, or another health-related science field.
• A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted instead of an Advanced University Degree.
• A minimum of eight years of relevant professional experience in a developing country in one or more of the following areas is required: nutrition, public health, nutrition planning and management, or maternal, infant and child health/nutrition care. Experience in health/nutrition programme/project development and management in a UN system agency or organization is 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.

Deadline: 21 Mar 2023

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How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision of the Deputy Representative, the Specialist provides support to country office colleagues and internal and external partners and stakeholders throughout the programming processes by providing technical, administrative and operational support to ensure that adolescent development and participation and child rights established under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, international treaties/framework and UN intergovernmental bodies, are integrated in UNICEF’s advocacy, policies, programmes and humanitarian work

Support to programmes development and planning

• Update the situation analysis by conducting assessments to establish evidence-based data for UNICEF advocacy and development of policies, framework and programmes to promote adolescent development and participation in the country and for monitoring results on related programmes/projects
• Assess national/regional/international development priorities to identify opportunities and courses of action to enhance the delivery of services and achieve objectives on adolescent development and participation in the country
• Participate throughout the process of CO programme formulation, planning and preparation to provide input, advice and operational support on the integration of policies and frameworks that promote adolescent development and participation and to ensure that crosscutting issues such as gender, disabilities, the rights of minority and marginalized groups are considered and integrated within the country programmes and projects
• Establish specific goals, objectives, strategies and implementation plans for the adolescent development programmes/projects using results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepare relevant documentations for programme review and approval
• Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to discuss methodologies and to assess national priorities/competencies to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results.

Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results

• Plan and/or collaborate with internal and external partners to establish monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators and other UNICEF/UN system indicators and measurements to assess and strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of sustainable results on adolescent development programmes and projects
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual reviews with government and other counterparts to assess progress and to determine required action/interventions to achieve results
• Prepare/assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths/weaknesses in programme and management, identify lessons learned and use knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals
• Actively monitor adolescent development programmes/projects through field visits, surveys and/or exchange of information with partners/stakeholders to assess progress, identify bottlenecks, and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution
• Monitor and verify the optimum/appropriate use of programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets) confirming compliance with organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability, integrity and ensuring timely reporting and liquidation of resources
• Prepare regular/mandated programme/project reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of programme progress

Technical and operational support to programme implementation

• Provide technical guidance and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and country office partners/donors on policies, practices and methodologies on adolescent development and participation to support programme management, implementation and delivery of results
• Participate in programme meetings including programme development and contingency planning to provide technical and operational information, advice and support
• Draft relevant policy papers, briefs and other strategic programme materials for management use, information and/or consideration

Networking and partnership building

• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with relevant government counterparts, national stakeholders and global partners/allies/donors/academia through active networking, advocacy and effective communication to build capacity, exchange knowledge/expertise and to reinforce cooperation to achieve sustainable and broad results on adolescent development and participation initiatives
• Prepare communication and information materials for programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships/alliances and to ensure that adolescent development and participation programmes and initiatives are adequately resourced and supported
• Participate and/or represent UNICEF in appropriate inter-agency (UNCT) discussions and planning on adolescent development related issues to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNDAF planning and preparation of programmes/projects ensuring organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the UNDAF process

Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Apply/introduce innovative approaches and good practices on adolescent development and participation to build the capacity of partners and stakeholders and to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable programme results
• Keep abreast, research, benchmark and implement best practices on adolescent development and participation. Assess, institutionalize and share best practices and knowledge learned
• Contribute to the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programmes and projects
• Organize and implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders to promote sustainable results on related programmes/projects.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: anthropology, psychology, sociology, education or another relevant technical field
• A minimum of five years of professional experience in social development planning and management in adolescent development related areas is required. Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset. Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset
• Fluency in English. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language (asset).

Deadline: 20 Mar 2023

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How can you make a difference?

Strategic Plan Monitoring and Reporting

• Coordinate monitoring and reporting against Strategic Plan indicators (in collaboration with Headquarters colleagues, Regional Advisers and focal points) and provide indicator definitions and guidance
• Collaborate with the Division of Data, Analysis, Planning and Monitoring on the Strategic Monitoring Questions (SMQs) process including supporting quality assurance, analysis and collation of Country Office (CO) Annual Report results (in conjunction with technical leads in Headquarters)
• Ensure global and regional Strategic Plan progress analyses and financial analyses are available for the sector
• Collaborate with the Data and Analytics specialists on outcome and impact monitoring for child protection to ensure alignment of results framework with global monitoring efforts and latest trends
• Support alignment of Strategic Plan indicators with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), targets and indicators   Plan and/or collaborate with internal and external partners to establish monitoring benchmarks, performance accountability, coherence and delivery of concrete and sustainable results in Child Protection   Maintain overview of developments in the field of child protection Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) that can inform refinements to and development of UNICEF’s next Strategic Plan results framework in collaboration with regional colleagues

End Result:

• Robust and rigorous reporting to Executive Board on progress against Child Protection Strategic Plan Indicators and Country Office Annual Report results.   New results framework aligned with the SDGs for the 2018-2021 Strategic Plan for Child Protection.

Programme Planning, Monitoring and Reporting

• Work with technical colleagues in Headquarters (HQ) and Regional Offices (ROs) on development and refinement of Theories of Change (ToC) for key Child Protection Areas including development of results frameworks and indicator definition and guidance
• Provide monitoring and evaluation support to global and regional programmes
• Provide monitoring and evaluation support for Executive Director’s Annual Report (EDAR) and Global Thematic Reports
• Work with Regional Offices to strengthen the links between data and planning and to improve the overall quality of programming, monitoring and reporting at the country level
• Collaborate with Division of Data, Analysis, Planning and Monitoring to improve the sectoral content on the Results Assessment Module, including the indicator catalogue for Goal Area 3
• Contribute to management response to Global Evaluations
• Liaise with the Public Partnerships Division and the Private Fundraising and Partnerships Division to ensure timely and quality donor engagement, including co-creation of donor proposals and submissions of donor reports

End Results:

• Clear Theories of Change (ToCs) for major child protection issues with supporting monitoring frameworks
• Overall improvement in the quality of child protection programming, monitoring and reporting at the country level   Supports effective functioning of the Planning and Evidence Building team.

Capacity Building in Monitoring Networking

• Support capacity building of Child Protection Specialists in M&E
• Recommend and implement innovative ways to meet the demand for technical M&E support requested by Regional and Country Offices seeking to integrate results based management into programme implementation
• Support Regional Offices in the development and refinement of M&E tools and guidance to support Country Offices (both remotely and in-person)
• Network with and build partnerships with a range of actors and related to data collection and analysis and M&E to inform good practice. Support strengthening of Child Protection M&E across the sector and widened partnerships.

End Results:

• Webinars and e-discussions organized and archived on the Strategic Plan Indicators
• Training Packages and other tools developed and rolled out across all regions
• Human resource capacities in child protection M&E enhanced
• Strengthened collaboration and joint products with interagency partners for enhanced child protection programme M&E

Management and Advisory support

• Provide management and advisory support to the Senior Adviser (Planning and Management) and serve as Officer-in-Charge and Deputy in the Planning and Evidence Building Team, Child Protection
• Provide technical input into UNICEF corporate reports, strategy documents, proposals and Briefing Notes.
• Keep the Senior Adviser (Planning and Management) abreast of and introduce and implement good practices for monitoring and evaluation (M&E) that can inform refinements to and enhance results based monitoring in Child Protection. Participate in global, regional and internal child protection monitoring and evaluation meetings, events and conferences.
• Contribute to workplans, funding allocations, reports and other documentation to the personnel, management and planning and reporting functions of the Child Protection Section and perform any other related work as required.
• Supervise the P3 Planning and Monitoring Specialist.

End Results:

• Inputs into major reports provided with a view to strengthened results based management
• UNICEF recognized as a global leader in M&E for child protection
• Good functioning of the Planning and Evidence Building Team
• Assistance provided on miscellaneous tasks

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

• Advanced university degree in relevant disciplines of Social Sciences (International Development, International Relations, Statistics, and Economics).
• At least eight years of solid experience working for international organization in Child Protection related issues, programme design, monitoring and evaluation, statistics.
• Solid experience in managing and designing M&E frameworks and results based management in development and humanitarian contexts.
• Excellent communication, presentation and writing skills in English.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks.
• Experience working and familiarity in the UN, other international development organization is an asset.
• Demonstrated skills in writing and producing succinct, high quality and analytical reports using a range of qualitative and quantitative data.
• Demonstrated organizational skills: ability to work independently and productively, with multiple stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills: the ability to successfully and effectively liaise with people in a wide range of functions in a multicultural environment.
• Excellent Computer skills: MS Word, Excel, powerpoint and other presentation or statistical software.
• Language Requirements: Oral and written proficiency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (preferably French or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

Deadline: 21 Mar 2023

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How can you make a difference?

Results-based key functions/accountabilities:

• Strategy development and capacity building. Advises on strategic focus, positioning,   priorities, innovations and results for the section in accord with the 2022-2025 Strategic Plan, including programmatic, financial and human resource related elements
• Supports the development of global position/statements based on analysis of evidence and information (including financial data) for global advocacy on child protection
• Works closely with Child Protection Regional Advisers, Headquarter-based Senior Advisers, and relevant divisions on strategy development for systematic tracking, monitoring and reporting on results to strengthen situation/incidence and programme monitoring and evaluation (M&E)
• Supervises and/or develops effective analytical reports, case studies, policy documents and other relevant documentation to build evidence base for advocacy, policy development and effective child protection programmes
• Strengthens partnerships with other organisations for effective and expanded child protection M&E within the sector
• Leads on human resource capacity building for the sector
• Co-ordinates the evidence agenda (data, research and evaluation) for Child Protection

Management and Leadership

• Leads the Planning and Evidence Building unit (PEB) in the Child Protection section
• Oversees the advancement of digital innovations in the CP sector, particularly related to Information Management Systems for Child Protection, especially with the continued scale up of Primero
• Aligns the strategies and activities in PEB (encompassing planning and reporting, monitoring and evaluation, knowledge management, budgeting and finance and capacity building functions) with the overall section workplan, contributes to the overall achievement of the Goal Area 3 of the Strategic Plan and support regional and field priorities
• As needed, undertakes and/or supervises missions to provide technical support to Regional Offices, Country Offices and partners in planning and M&E
• Support the Director with section management, particularly vis-à-vis operations issues
• Organises statutory meetings as required (e.g. monthly Extended Child Protection Leadership Team meetings, weekly section meetings)

Section Planning and Sector Reporting

• Coordinates the development of and reporting on the Child Protection section annual workplan, Office Management Plan (OMP) and associated budgets, in consultation with the CPPT Unit Leads and relevant interdivisional teams
• Coordinates inputs to planning and management related interdivisional submissions and reports to management
• Leads production of the Global Annual Results Report for Child Protection and relevant inputs for other global corporate reports (Executive Director’s Annual Report, Gender Action Plan Report and the Programme group’s annual reporting in RAM) as well as inputs for global reports e.g. Rights of the Child
• Support the effective operation and management of the section and its units through regular contributions and participation in internal management meetings

Communication, Advocacy and Knowledge Management

• Supports the overall work of the Child Protection section through the provision of high quality briefings, presentations and reports, representing UNICEF at relevant internal and external meetings, providing technical input into the work of others and making sure priority messages on child protection are effectively and consistently communicated
• Manages the advocacy agenda for the section and the sector, including supporting on the development of annual advocacy plans, production of advocacy briefs and events
• Lead on external communications, including website management and social media
• Drive the Knowledge Management agenda for the section and the sector, including the information flow of international communication within the section as well as the extended team and Regional and Country offices to maximize impact and efficiency.

 To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

• Advanced university degree (Masters or higher) in the area of social sciences or other related field, preferably with some specialized training in development studies, monitoring and evaluation, or public administration is required.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of solid and responsible experience at national and international levels in strategic planning and programme formulation, design, management, monitoring and evaluation, research, with particular interest in issues relating to child protection is required.
• Familiarity with Child Protection programming is an asset
• Proven ability to work effectively in an advisory, supervisory and management capacity is desired.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks
• Familiarity with other international organisations is an asset
• Experience working in the UN, and other international development organizations is an asset.
• Fluency in English (written and verbal) is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.

Deadline: 21 Mar 2023