Organization: UN Children's Fund
Country: Eritrea
Closing date:
16 Dec 2016If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.
For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
Purpose of the Position
Under the general guidance of the Deputy Representative, responsible for the development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Basic Education, Child Protection and Participation programme within the country programme. The incumbent will be responsible for providing programme and policy guidance on the overall development, coordination, and implementation and monitoring of the basic education, child protection and participation programme. S/he will ensure leadership and guidance for the development of strategies for an integrated approach to the programme as one of the key social development focal areas of the country programme and in line with GoSE/UN Strategic Partnership CO operation Framework priorities. S/he will be responsible for the overall leadership and coordination of the sector's and UNICEF's emergency preparedness and response. S/he will also play a key role in ensuring fundraising for the programme. S/he liaises with senior officials of government line Ministries to provide high level technical and policy advice. S/he develops, builds and sustains strategic partnerships, leads capacity building efforts across line ministries at all levels, of partners like the academia and civil society. To ensure the above, the programme requires a post level that is commensurate with the management responsibilities entrusted upon to the Section Head. The post incumbent will directly supervise an Education Specialist (N04). a Child Participation Specialist (P3) an Education Specialist (N03) a Child Protection Specialist (N03), and a Programme Assistant (GS6).
Key Accountabilities and Duties & Tasks
Managerial leadership
Establish the Section's annual work plan with the BECPP team; set priorities/targets and performance measurement. Monitor work progress and ensure results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards.Establish clear individual performance objectives, goals and timelines; and provide timely guidance to enable the team to perform their duties responsibly and efficiently. Plan and ensure timely performance management and assessment of the Team.Supervise team members by providing them with clear objectives and goals, direction and guidance to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently. Program development and planningProvide technical assistance and operation support to the preparation/design and updating of the situation analysis to ensure that current comprehensive and evidence based data on child protection issues are available to guide UNICEF's strategic policy advocacy, intervention and development efforts on education, child protection and protection and to set program priorities, strategies, design and implementation plans.Keep abreast of national/regional/international development priorities on education, child protection and participation to leverage UNICEF position and competencies with donors, national governments, communities and constituents to advocate/promote education, child protection and participation initiatives and policiesSupervise the development of education, child protection and participation programs/projects (as a full component of the CO and/or SPCF programs). Establish plans of action, program goals and results, using results-based planning methodology and terminology (RBM).Guide/coordinate the timely preparation of program recommendation and related documentation for inclusion in the Country Office Program recommendation ensuring alignment with the overall UNICEF'S Strategic Plans, regional strategies and national priorities, plans and competencies.Collaborate with national/global colleagues/partners/allies to develop partnerships framework to address specific needs and to leverage resources for enhancing/scaling up BECPP programs/projects. Ensure synergy, integration, coherence, and harmonization of programs/projects with UNICEF Strategic Plans and priorities, donors'development strategies/policies, national priorities/competencies and UN System development interventions/initiatives.Ensure emergency preparedness is contained in national programs/projects to ensure the education, protection and well-being of children in cases of armed conflict and natural disasters and other emergency situations.Program management, monitoring and quality control of resultsPlan and/or collaborate with monitoring and evaluation initiatives to establish benchmarks, performance indicators and other UNICEF/UN system indicators, to assess/strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of concrete and sustainable results in education, child protection and participation programs.Participate in major monitoring and evaluation exercises, program reviews and annual reviews with government and other counterparts to assess progress and to engage stakeholders to take required action interventions to achieve results.Prepare/assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths/weaknesses in program and management, identify lessons learned and use knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals.Monitor programs/projects to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution.Plan, approve, monitor, certify and control the use of program resources (financial, human, administrative and other assets) certifying/verifying compliance with organizational rules, regulations and procedures, donor commitments and standards of accountability and integrity. Ensure timely reporting and liquidation of resources.Submit/prepare program/project reports to donors and other partners to keep them informed on program progress and critical issues.Advisory services and technical supportProvide technical advice to key government officials, NGO, UN system and other country office partners on strategies and best practices to influence approaches/policies and to support social/economic/political/legal development planning, implementation and delivery of results on education, child protection and participation and other related issues.Coordinate/ensure the availability of technical experts (with Regional Office/HQ) to ensure timely support throughout all stages of programming/project processes.Participate in strategic discussions to influence policy and agenda setting for combating poverty and all forms of discrimination against women/children by advising on and advocating strategies and approaches to promote universal access to and equitable and inclusive education catalyze social chances for a protective environment for children in the country.Lead in country discussions on education and child protection emergency preparedness, programming and contingency planning to ensure proactive and appropriate response are in place to meet onset of emergencies nationally or other designated locations.Advocacy, networking and partnership buildingBuild and strengthen strategic partnerships through networking and advocacy with local/national governments, UN system agency partners, donors, internationally recognized institutions, NGOs, funding organization, research institutes and private sector to reinforce cooperation and/or pursue opportunities, leverage funds, to promote goals and achieve sustainable and broad results on education, child protection and participation programmes.Prepare communication strategies and implementation plans and activities for maximum communication impact and outreach to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances for sustainable results and support fund raising for UNICEF and Country Office BECPP programs and emergency interventions.Participate and/or represent UNICEF in inter-agency discussions and planning on education, child protection and participation to ensure organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the SCPF process in development planning and agenda setting. Collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues SCPF planning and preparation of programs/projects including emergency preparednessInnovation, knowledge management and capacity buildingPromote critical thinking and innovative approaches and good practices for sustainable BECPP programs/projects initiatives through advocacy and technical advisory services.Keep abreast, research, benchmark, introduce and implement best and cutting edge practices on education, child protection and participation management and information systems. Institutionalize and disseminate best practices and knowledge learned.Contribute to the development of policies and procedures and introduce innovation and best practices to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programs and projects.Organize/plan/implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders to promote sustainable results on education, child protection and participation and related programs/projects.Qualifications of a Successful Candidate
An Advanced University Degree in education, economics, psychology, sociology or other social science field is requiredMinimum of 8 years of progressively responsible relevant work experience in programme planning, management, and/or research in education at the international level, some of which preferably in a developing country is required. Experience working in a UN system agency or organization is an asset. Familiarity with emergency response is an asset.A relevant first-level university degree (Bachelor's), in combination with 2 years of additional relevant work experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an assetCompetencies of a Successful Candidate
Core Values
CommitmentDiversity and InclusionIntegrityCore competencies
Communication (II)Working with People (II)Drive for Results (II)Functional Competencies
Leading and supervising (I)Formulating strategies/concepts (II)Analyzing (III)Relating and Networking (II)Deciding & Initiating action (II)Applying Technical Expertise (III)To view our competency framework, please clickhere.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to positions.
How to apply:UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization. To apply, click on the following link http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=501752