Job Opportunities at UNICEF

Purpose for the job:

• The Senior Adviser, Child Protection is responsible for the delivery of timely and high quality corporate planning and reporting submissions for the section. He/she supports UNICEF systems for the allocation, timely implementation, monitoring, consolidation and reporting of results of annual CP investments, with particular emphasis on global thematic funding by HQ, RO and COs against child protection priorities. He/she is responsible for leading the Planning and Evidence Building unit which encompasses planning and reporting, monitoring and evaluation, knowledge management and capacity building. In the above­ mentioned tasks he/she works closely with all units within the Child Protection Programme Team in Headquarters and other Divisions as well as the Child Protection Regional Advisers on strategic focus, priorities and innovations.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:
Summary of 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.

Impact of Results

• Impacts upon the overall effectiveness, efficiency and credibility of the Child Protection section to manage resources and deliver results. Impacts upon the ability of UNICEF to technically support Child Protection staff with M&E, knowledge management and capacity building
• The impact of the recommendations will affect the effectiveness of global, regional and country programmes in addressing the priority areas of child protection, as well as related global-level partnerships
• Poor planning, reporting and financial management on behalf of UNICEF could result in a reduction of support to UNICEF Child Protection programmes. Incorrect application of the rules following incorrect advice could lead to disciplinary action. Poor leadership and supervision of the Planning and Evidence Building unit could lead to staff attrition and low morale. Inappropriate direction for knowledge management and capacity building could lead to a waste of resources and inappropriate advice being given to colleagues and partners

 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 is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.

go to method of application »

How can you make a difference?

• The Education Officer provides professional technical, operational and administrative assistance throughout the programming process for education programmes/projects within the Country Programme from development planning to delivery of results, preparing, executing, managing and implementing a variety of technical and administrative programme tasks to facilitate programme development, implementation, programme progress monitoring, evaluating and reporting. She/he will contribute to the effective and efficient implementation of the education section work plan. Specifically, strengthening the results on learning and transferrable skills development, aiming towards improvement of learning outcomes.

Support to learning and skills development programme development and planning

• Contribute to the preparation and updating of the situation analysis for the development, design and management of learning and skills development related programmes/projects. Research and report on development trends (economic, social, health etc.) and data for use in learning and skills development programme development, management, monitoring, evaluation and delivery of results.
• Contribute to the development and establishment of programme goals, objectives and strategies and results-based planning through research, collection, analysis and reporting of learning and skills development and other related information for development planning and goal setting.
• Provide technical and administrative support throughout all stages of programming processes by executing and administering a variety of technical programme transactions, preparing materials and documentations, and complying with organizational processes and management systems, to support programme planning, results-based planning (RBM) and monitoring and evaluation of results.

Learning and skills development programme management, monitoring and delivery of results.

• Work closely and collaboratively with internal colleagues and partners to collect, analyze and share information on implementation of learning and skills development initiatives.
• Suggest solutions on routine learning and skills development programme implementation and submit reports to alert appropriate officials and stakeholders for higher-level intervention and/or decisions. Keep record of reports and assessments for easy reference and/or to capture and institutionalize lessons learned.
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual reviews with government and other counterparts and prepare minutes/reports on results for follow up action by higher management and other stakeholders regarding improvement of learning outcomes and acquisition of relevant skills.
• Monitor and report on the use of learning and skills development programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets), verify compliance with approved allocation, organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity. Report on issues identified to ensure timely resolution by management/stakeholders. Follow up on unresolved issues to ensure resolution.
• Prepare draft inputs for programme/donor reporting and proposal with regard to quality of learning and skills development programmes. 

 Technical and operational support to learning and skills development programme implementation

• Undertake field visits and surveys and share information with stakeholders to assess progress and refer to relevant officials for resolution. Report on critical issues, bottlenecks and potential problems for timely action to achieve results.
• Provide technical and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and other country office partners/donors on the application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices on education related issues to support programme implementation, operations and delivery of results.
• the section to strengthen education programming based on global and national best practices with a focus on transferrable skills and to a less extent foundational skills.

Networking and Partnership Building

• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of information and knowledge to facilitate learning and skills development programme implementation and build capacity of stakeholders to achieve and sustain results on education programmes.
• Draft communication and information materials for CO learning and skills development programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships and alliances, and support fund raising for programmes within Quality Output.
• Participate in appropriate inter-agency (UNCT) meetings and events on programming to collaborate with inter-agency partners on UNSDCF operational planning and preparation of education programmes/projects and to integrate and harmonize UNICEF’s position and strategies with the UNSDCF development and planning process.
• Research information on potential donors and prepare resource mobilization materials and briefs for fund raising and partnership development purposes.

Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Contribute to identifying, capturing, synthesizing, and sharing lessons learned for knowledge development and capacity development of stakeholders.
• Apply innovative approaches and promote good practice to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable learning and skills development programme results.
• Research and report on best and cutting-edge practices for development planning of knowledge products and systems.
• Participate as a resource person in capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders and UNICEF Staff members on transferrable skills development issues/trends/best practices.

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

• A university degree in one of the following fields is required: education, psychology, sociology or any other relevant social sciences.
• A minimum of two years of professional experience in programme planning, management, and/or research in education to improve learning and quality of education is required.
• Experience in design, planning and implementation of skills building programmes 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 is required.  Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.