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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. 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 personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

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

For every child, hope

The Division of Data, Analytics, Planning and Monitoring (DAPM) was established in 2019 to drive decision making and organizational learning, improve effectiveness and achievement of results of UNICEF and its partners to realize the rights and improve the life of every child. DAPM promotes the use of data, analytics, planning and monitoring, and related aspects of strategic country programme management, to achieve transformative impact for children.

The Division is responsible for driving, shaping and guiding UNICEF’s evidence-informed analysis, corporate and country planning, programme implementation and related risk management, monitoring, knowledge management and organizational performance. As such, DAPM enables the organization to deliver on results in a more coherent manner, based on agile and contextualized programming processes, and on data, evidence, and analytics, as well as the application of human-rights based and results-based approaches.

Within DAPM, the Programme Effectiveness Team (PET) leads, regulates and coordinates the development and issuance of organization-wide policies, procedures, standards, guidance, systems, tools and platforms to strengthen programme effectiveness across all contexts, including programme planning, implementation and related risk management, safeguarding, monitoring, organizational performance, knowledge management, at all levels.  In doing so, PET engages with all divisions/offices across HQ as well as with all regional offices, UN agencies, funds and programmes, specialized agencies, other technical organizations and the UN Development Coordination Office.

The post reports to the Programme Manager (Safeguarding) within the Risk Management in Partnership Implementation and Safeguarding Unit of the Programme Effectiveness Team (PET). This unit reflects an integrated and holistic portfolio approach to managing risks at the corporate level by combining into one unit the fiduciary, environmental and social safeguards (ESS), safeguarding and PSEA regulatory risk management functions, with the aim of improving clarity, coherence, consistency, and effectiveness in risk management and safeguarding across the organization.

Purpose of the job:

Under the guidance and supervision of the Programme Manager (Safeguarding), the Programme Specialist (PSEA) works closely with HQ Divisions, particularly with Programme Group (PG) Child Protection (CP), the Office of Emergency Programmes (EMOPS), Public Partnerships Division (PPD), Legal Office, as well as with Regional Office focal points for Safeguarding / PSEA. The Programme Specialist (PSEA) also works closely with counterparts in UN entities and diverse partners as needed and is expected to work closely with other units in the Programme Effectiveness Team, particularly with the Programme Implementation Unit.

The purpose of the job is to:

1. Support the development, review/update and rollout of guidance, tools and systems to strengthen Safeguarding/SEA risk management, in programmes implemented with CSO and Government partners.
2. Support further evolution of the UN harmonized approach for PSEA capacity assessment and capacity strengthening processes for implementing partners 
3. Provide on demand support to Country Offices on Safeguarding/SEA risk management with partners.
4. Support global oversight, coordination and reporting on PSEA/Safeguarding related to implementing partners.

How can you make a difference? 

1) Support the development, review/update and rollout of guidance, tools and systems to strengthen Safeguarding/SEA risk management, in programmes implemented with CSO and Government partners
a. Support ongoing evolution of the Programme Implementation Procedure and related guidance, tools and system for SEA risk management, including capacity assessment, analysis and subsequent capacity strengthening and monitoring action for CSO partners.
b. Support the review and the incorporation/integration of PSEA (and wider safeguarding, as relevant) in the overarching Programme Implementation Procedure as well as other programme effectiveness tools and processes.
c. Support enhancement of PSEA assurance, including through integration of PSEA in programme monitoring.
d. Support harmonized approaches for risk management, with other risk management functions of the PET (Safeguarding, ESS, HACT, CFRM etc.) through optimizing risk/capacity assessment/analysis, capacity strengthening and monitoring.

2) Support further evolution of the UN harmonized approach for PSEA capacity assessment and capacity strengthening process for implementing partners
a. Represent UNICEF in proactively engaging with the UN interagency PSEA technical working group for improved UN wide harmonization and coordination on PSEA in partnerships.
b. Support the development, testing and subsequent rollout of guidance/tools for managing Safeguarding/SEA risks in government partnerships
c. Lead UNICEF’s engagement to define and enhance the PSEA component of digital tools, including in the UN Partnership Portal (UNPP)
d. Document UNICEF lessons/best practices, access other agencies lessons and best practices and disseminate using effective approaches, including communities of practice etc.
e. Support/participate and lead (as relevant) in global, regional and local level consultation/interaction with partners towards evolving PSEA with programme Implementation partners.

3) Provide on demand support to Country Offices on Safeguarding/SEA risk management with partners
a. Work closely with the Regional Offices and Programme Group (CP/PSEA) to identify and address challenges faced by country offices and PSEA coordination networks as relevant.
b. Support PSEA in L2/L3 emergencies including through deployment, in coordination with DAPM, EMOPS and Programme Group.
c. Provide coordinated support to CO, RO and HQ divisions, as required, in responding to Safeguarding/SEA allegations arising from UNICEF supported programmes, particularly involving CSO and Gov. partners.
d. Serve as focal point to conduct verification of the Core Standards of PSEA assessment related to CSO SEA allegations, as required, based on escalation from country and regional offices.
e. Support UNICEF Hosted Funds in SEA risk management with grantees, including the PSEA capacity process (assessment, capacity strengthening and monitoring).
f. Support risk management of vendors and contractors, led by Supply Division, to define and strengthen approaches related to Safeguarding/PSEA, in UNICEF programming.

4) Support global oversight, coordination and reporting on PSEA/Safeguarding related to Implementing partners.

a. Contribute to global indicator definition, analysis and reporting (internal and external) on PSEA (and wider Safeguarding, as relevant) concerning implementation partnership.
b. Contribute to periodic analysis of information on the implementation status of the UN harmonized approach for PSEA.
c. Support coordination/collaboration with other UNICEF HQ entities, in particular Programme Group, EMOPS, the Office of Internal Audit and Investigations and the Supply Division to ensure cross-collaboration on Safeguarding/PSEA.
d. Participate in interdivisional Safeguarding/PSEA coordination.
e. Perform other duties in support of global oversight and coordination.

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

• Education: An Advanced University Degree (Master’s) in gender studies, international development, humanitarian affairs, human rights, international law, sociology, and/or any other relevant technical field is required. Specialized training in Safeguarding or SEA is an asset.

• Work Experience: A minimum of five (5) years relevant experience, preferably at both national and international levels, is required in implementing PSEA initiatives within programmes with a reputable international organization. Experience in PSEA in partnerships is an asset.  
• Demonstrated experience supporting, advising and collaborating within public institutions on PSEA and safeguards.
• Practical experience in the field of SEA capacity assessment and capacity strengthening.
• Experience in capacity strengthening and rollout of procedures, tools and systems on PSEA
• Excellent communication, inter-personal skills and skills in facilitation of online and face to face workshops, events and discussions.
• Familiarity with the UN system and global/inter-agency coordination structures (e.g. IASC) in PSEA.
• Candidate would also ideally have the following:
  • Experience working with the UN harmonized approach, familiarity with UNPP PSEA module, PSEA requirements of other agencies, donor requirements and conditionalities on PSEA.
  • Ability to apply the PSEA framework/tools and risk informed approaches/ flexibilities in different contexts and downstream partners 
• Language Requirements: Full proficiency in English, including excellent writing, presentation and facilitation skills is required.

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) Builds and maintains partnerships

(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 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will 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.

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.

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.

In this role, you will collaborate with colleagues across multiple locations. For effective collaboration, we encourage flexible working hours that accommodate different time zones while prioritizing staff wellbeing.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.