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UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built, we offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world.

We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to education 

UNICEF works to advance the well-being of children and adolescents in Panama by providing technical assistance, advocating for their rights, building strategic partnerships, and implementing programmes that help ensure their full protection and development.

The overarching goal of all UNICEF efforts is to achieve the full realization of the rights of every child and adolescent. This is done by supporting institutions and decision-makers with technical expertise, fostering strategic alliances, and implementing initiatives that contribute to the fulfilment of their rights.

This work is outlined in UNICEF’s Country Programme, which sets out strategies and action plans to ensure that from early childhood through adolescence, children and young people in Panama have access to the best possible opportunities.

The programme addresses the barriers that hinder the full implementation of the commitments established under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified by Panama in 1990, with a particular focus on early childhood development, child and adolescent protection, and adolescent development and participation.

To know more about our work please visit UNICEF Panamá.

How can you make a difference? 

Purpose of the assignment

The Programme Manager reports to the Country Office (CO) Representative for general supervision and direction. The Programme Manager supports the Representative on the overall management of the CO and coordinating closely with the different sections on all phases of the Country Programme, from formulation to delivery of results in accordance with UNICEF Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework, ethics and integrity.

The Programme Manager will be the Officer in Charge of the CO in the absence of the Representative.

Specific Tasks & Responsibilities

1. CO programme planning and development.
2. Support to the Representative on managing the CO.
3. Monitoring and quality control of programmes.
4. Networking and partnership building.
5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building.

Details of the Tasks & Responsibilities

1. CO programme planning and development.

• Coordinate the planning and updating of the situation analysis by the programme sectors in the CO to establish comprehensive data and information for programme development planning, management, monitoring and valuation.
• Coordinate with PFP and Operations to ensure coherence and compliance with UNICEF guidelines for programme planning and implementation.
• Guide the various sectors throughout the process of programme formulation, planning and preparation of the Country Programme ensuring harmonization of approaches and alignment with UNICEF Strategic Plan, corporate guidelines, policies/procedures and regional and national priorities. Provide technical support throughout the process.
• Support the development, implementation and monitoring of gender-sensitive programming across sectors in alignment with UNICEF Gender Action Plan for the promotion and achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
• Coordinate the necessary technical programming support from Regional Office and Global Programme Division Centers of Excellence.

2. Support to the Representative on managing the CO.

• Monitor and assess programmes and provide advice on best and innovative programming practices.
• Advise the Representative on CO annual work planning, setting priorities/targets and establishing performance measurements. Monitor implementation and progress of work plans; collaborate with colleagues to assist, advise and guide the Representative to ensure achievement of results according to targets and performance standards. Take timely decisions to achieve results and/or alert the Representative for timely action.
• Establish clear performance objectives, goals and timelines; and provide timely guidance to his/her team to enable them to perform their duties responsibly and efficiently. Plan and ensure timely performance planning, management and assessment.
• Monitor critical issues to resolve problems and/or recommend to the Representative appropriate action to ensure appropriate and optimum use of resources.

3. Monitoring and quality control of programmes.

• Participate in meetings/events and annual/midterm reviews with the government and other ounterparts/stakeholders to contribute to strategic programme discussions, planning and assessments.
• Evaluate overall programme progress; identify weaknesses, bottlenecks and potential problems. Collaborate with the sectors and/or other partners and stakeholders to resolve issues and/or advise the Representative on resolutions to ensure delivery of results as planned and allocated.
• Monitor the optimum and appropriate use of programme resources (financial, human, administrative and other assets) and verify compliance with organizational rules, regulations and procedures, donor commitments and standards of accountability and integrity.
• Approve disbursements and allocations in accordance with delegation of authority established by the Representative.
• Coordinate and/or provide advice on the preparation of mandated programme reports. Confirm accuracy of reports prior to approval by the Representative.
• Work in close collaboration with the Operations Officer and the PFP Section to ensure coherence and compliance with UNICEF’s policies, regulations and procedures.

4. Networking and partnership building.

• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with relevant government counterparts, national stakeholders and global partners, donors and academia through active networking, advocacy and effective communication to build capacity, exchange knowledge and expertise and reinforce cooperation.
• Advocate UNICEF goals to advance child’s right to survival, development and wellbeing, mobilize resources, seek cooperation and establish alliances.
• Review communication and information materials for programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships, alliances and to ensure that child, adolescents and women rights’ issues are high in the political agenda and in the general public perception.
• Participate and/or represent UNICEF in appropriate inter-agency discussions, in meetings with national or local authorities, and with partners.
• Participate and/or represent UNICEF in appropriate UN inter-agency discussions and planning of joint programmes and other collaboration mechanisms, in the framework of the UN Reform.

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building.

• Advise the Representative and other colleagues in the CO on the development and implementation of policies and procedures, use of latest information technology and introduction of innovation and best practices in the CO to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy in programming and operations.
• Coordinate the collection, institutionalization and sharing of lessons learned to enhance performance and to use lessons learned in development/policy planning.
• Promote learning and development through planning and organization of training events, activities and other capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies/productivity of staff members.

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

Minimum requirements:

Education: An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in one of the following fields is required: Social Sciences, International Relations, Government, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or another relevant technical field.

Experience:
-A minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience that combines technical and managerial leadership in programme development, implementation and management.
-Experience and/or knowledge of international cooperation, humanitarian and development.
-Experience working in a developing country.
-Relevant experience in a UN system agency.
-Supervisory experience is required.

Languages: Fluency in English and Spanish is required.

Desirables and assets:

Experience:
-Relevant experience within UNICEF is an advantage.
-Background/familiarity with emergencies is considered as an asset.

Desired technical skills and knowledge:
• Rights-based and Results-based approach and programming in UNICEF.
• UNICEF programme policy, procedures and guidelines in the Manual.
•  Methodology of programme/project management
• UNICEF programmatic goals, visions, positions, policies and strategies.
• Knowledge of global human rights issues, specifically relating to children and women, and the current UNCEF position and approaches.
• UNICEF policies and strategy to address national and international issues, particularly relating to conflicts, natural disasters, and recovery.
• UNICEF emergency programme policies, goals, strategies and approaches.
•  Gender equality and diversity awareness
• UN policies and strategy to address international humanitarian issues and responses.
•  UN common approaches to programmatic issues and UNICEF positions
• UN security operations and guidelines.

For every Child, you demonstrate...
UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…
(1) Nurtures, Leads and Manages People; (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness; (3) Drive to achieve results for impact; (4) Innovates and embraces change; (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity; (6) Thinks and acts strategically; (7) Works collaboratively with others, and (8) Builds and maintains partnerships.

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is either a role with direct contact with children, a role that works directly with identifiable children’s data, a safeguarding response role, or an assessed risk role. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) apply.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates are encouraged to apply. 

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.