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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, a champion

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the Organization does — in programmes, in advocacy, and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential without discrimination, bias, or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic, and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education, and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — will not only give more children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

Purpose for the Job:

Under the guidance of the Emergency Specialist, the Chief Field Office in Darien (CFO) is accountable for managing and leading the total programme commitment of Darien field office. The CFO represents UNICEF in Darien and the Comarca Emberá-Wounaan, leads and oversees the various program sectors and operational service teams in Darien ensuring the delivery of quality results in accordance with UNICEF’s programme of cooperation, country programme management plan and overall vision set forward by the Representative.

In fragile and humanitarian contexts, UNICEF action is guided by its global Policy and Framework for humanitarian action: the Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action.

How can you make a difference?

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Effective management of UNICEF presence, staff and assets in the Province of Darien and the Comarca Emberá-Wounaan
2. Effective knowledge management systems adopted and utilized to strengthen area/country programme management.
3. Situation Analysis prepared and updated; critical programme intervention points and measures identified; and programme work plans, recommendations and reports prepared.
4. Programme funds optimally used.
5. Programme monitoring, and evaluations effectively conducted to improve programme performance, and programme status reports timely prepared.  Gender/sex disaggregated data and inputs relevant to the country programme are provided as an integral part of programming.
6.   Rights based, and results-based programming approach fully incorporated into all phases of programme and project processes.
7. Commitment and institutional capacities of the national and local partners effectively gained and established.
8. Rights perspective and advocacy at the national, community and family levels incorporated in policy analysis for establishing and elevating UNICEF’s credibility in national and international policy debates.
9. Effective partnerships and collaboration achieved and maintained for advocacy, technical cooperation, programme development/management/coordination, information sharing and networking.

1. Effective management of UNICEF presence, staff, and assets

Represent UNICEF in the region, by participating in meetings and events, moving forward the agenda for children.

Facilitate, take and implement measures to ensure safety and security of UNICEF staff and assets.

Effectively lead the Field Office team and manage the performance and conduct the staff members to deliver results for children

 

2. Knowledge Management for Programmes

Ensure that programmes in Darien are supported by knowledge management through data collection and analysis, complete and accurate reporting as well as participation in the Programme Knowledge Network system of "lessons learned" and other corporate-level databases.

 

Participate in information exchange through donor and media visits as well as in the development of training and orientation material.

 

3. Programme Development and Management

Identify critical intervention points and measures by administering a consistent and transparent monitoring system; analyse country level socio-political-economic trends and their implications for ongoing programmes and projects.

 

Draft changes to/or prepare programme work plans as required. Prepare program recommendations for inclusion in formal programme documentation, and new approaches, methods, and practices.

 

Establishes programme workplans, monitors compliance and provides training, support, and guidance to the programme team in order to meet objectives. Identifies human resources requirements and on-going staff development needs.

 

Reviews and evaluates the technical, institutional, and financial feasibility and constraints of programme/projects in collaboration with Government and other partners.

 

Prepares relevant programme reports required for management, donors, budget reviews, programme analysis, annual reports, etc.

4. Optimum Use of Program Funds

Establish and supervise programme work plans and monitor progress and compliance.  Monitor the overall allocation and disbursement of programme funds, making sure that funds are properly coordinated, monitored and liquidated. Take appropriate actions to optimize use of programme funds.

 

Ensure programme efficiency and delivery through a rigorous and transparent approach to programme planning, monitoring and evaluation.

5. Programme Monitoring and Evaluations

Undertakes field visits and ensures that his/her staff conduct field visits to monitor and assess programme implementation and decides on required corrective action.

 

Carry out a rigorous and transparent approach to evaluate and participate in the major programme evaluation exercises in consultation with the Representative, Deputy Representative, the Operations Officer, the Evaluation Officer and others to improve efficiency and quality of programme delivery. Participate in annual sector review meetings with government counterparts.  Ensure the timely preparation of annual program status reports.

 

6.  Rights-Based and Results-Based Programme Management Approach

Adopt rights-based programmes approach in the formulation of programme goals and objectives and development of strategies and implementation frameworks. Formulate consistent and effective planning, design, implementation, monitoring and/or evaluation of programmes and projects. Bring coherence, synergy and added value to the programming planning and design processes using a results-based management approach to programme planning and design.

 

Prepare and submit viable recommendations on project implementation, alternative approaches, and optimal utilization of resources that contribute effectively to the fulfilment of the rights of children and women, and recommendations on programme, new initiatives, and management issues to ensure achievement of stated objectives.

 

7.  National and Local Capacity Building/Sustainability

Provide authorities and service providers with technical support and guidance to plan and organize training programmes for the purpose of capacity building and programme sustainability.

 

Ensure the building and reinforcing of the commitment and institutional capacities of the national and local partners starting with taking a strategic approach to the identification of these partners and partnerships.

8. Rights Perspective and Advocacy at the National, Community and Family Levels

Conduct policy analysis from a children's and women's rights perspective and advocacy at the government, community and family levels for elevating credibility in national and international policy debates. Promote the organization goals of UNICEF through active advocacy and communication in line with UNICEF national advocacy guidelines and strategy.

 

9. Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration

Develop partnership and collaboration with internal and external counterparts, including those of the UN and national partners, to improve the ability to collect and disseminate development data and information, exchange information on programme/project status and implementation and movement/distribution of supplies. Linkage to the Regional Programme Knowledge Network to ensure the availability of current and accurate programme data.

Collaborate with the Operations Section to establish and maintain sound internal controls supportive of programming endeavours and to coordinate financial and supply management requirements and accountability.

Maintain close collaboration with heads of sectoral programmes in the CO, Regional and HQ advisers for effective overall coordination on programmes.

Plans, develops and implements sectoral programme(s) by collaborating with the government and other partners. Provide leadership in provision of technical advice, negotiation, advocacy and promotion of area/country level goals, leading to agreement on practicable and priority actions to be supported by UNICEF programme and country level cooperation.

 

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

Education:

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: social sciences, international relations/development, international studies, public administration, government, and public relations, public or social policy, sociology, social or community development, or another relevant technical field.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of five years of professional work experience in programme management, planning, monitoring and evaluation, project administration, or another relevant area is required
  
  
• Professional work experience in Child Protection related areas is considered an asset.
  
  
• Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset.
  
  
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered an asset.
  
  
• Familiarity/ background with emergencies is considered an asset.

 Language Proficiency

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

 

Technical Knowledge

 a) Specific Technical Knowledge Required

(Technical knowledge requirements specific to the job can be added here as required.) 

• Rights-based and Results-based approach and programming in UNICEF.

• UNICEF programme policy, procedures, and guidelines in the Manual.

 

b) Common Technical Knowledge Required (for the job group)

•  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 UNICEF position and approaches.

• UNICEF policies and strategy to address on 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.

 

c) Technical Knowledge to be Acquired/Enhanced (for the Job)

• UN policies and strategy to address international humanitarian issues and the responses.

• UN common approaches to programmatic issues and UNICEF positions

• UN security operations and guidelines.

• Security Management training for members of Security Management Team.

• UNICEF policies, strategies promoting and supporting gender equality and diversity.

 

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

 

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 (8) Nurtures, leads and manages people.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

 

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 benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
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 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.

 

*Remarks*

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, whether you identify as a person of color, a woman, an individual with disabilities, or any other underrepresented groups, we encourage you to apply for our open positions.

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

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.

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.