UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, hope, love and care. 

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, 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 — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. Therefore, 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. UNICEF works in partnership with a wide range of implementing partners, both government and CSO partners, to deliver results for children across the globe. Effective implementing partnership management is therefore essential for ensuring that resources are utilized as intended and results are being achieved.

The Implementing Partnership Management Officer is located in the Regional Office and reports to the Risk & Compliance Management, which is a position within the Regional Operations section. The team provides guidance and oversight to LACR COs in the implementation of Division of Data, Analytics, Planning and Monitoring (DAPM)’s Programme Implementation Procedure and associated Handbook which currently covers work planning, HACT planning and execution, CSO collaboration and PSEA assessment for partners.

UNICEF has adopted the Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT), together with other UN agencies, as an approach and management tool for assuring that quality results are achieved through judicious use of resources. It aims at managing risks related to cash transfers to implementing partners. The ultimate goal of HACT is in support of results-based programme implementation, reducing transaction costs, promoting value for money, and allowing progressive use of national systems for management and accountability of resources and demonstrable results for children.

How can you make a difference? 

Reporting to the Implementing Partnerships Management Specialist, which is a position within the Regional Operations section. The purpose of this role is to provide technical support to the supervisor by tracking, monitoring and reporting on partnership management activities implemented by CO. Beyond this technical support, the post will also support the RO in the application of the principles and processes of the relevant guidance of DAPM’s Programme Implementation Procedure, Handbook and tech initiatives, including but not limited to e-Tools overall, including its associated module UNPP, e-PD (Electronic Programme Document), e-WP (Work planning & Implementation), e-ZHACT 2.0, PSEA assessment of partners, as well as other platforms that may later be launched in support of efficient and effective programme implementation.

Key function, accountabilities, and related duties/tasks

1. Support to implementing partnership management. 

• Provide technical assistance to country offices in the formalization of partnerships with government, civil society organizations and other implementing partners in line with relevant policies, procedures and guidelines including the CSO procedure and guidance on work plans.

• Provide technical assistance to country offices in the. implementation of HACT in line with the HACT Policy and Procedure and other relevant organizational policies, procedures, and guidelines, including the Finance and Administrative Policy 5: Cash Disbursements Supplement 3- Cash Transfers (HACT).

• Guide, advise and support country offices in HACT processes and the development of country level assessment and assurance plans.

• Guide, advise and support country offices in the use of UNICEF tools and systems (i.e.e-Tools, In-Sight, VISION) as it relates to implementing partnership management.

2. Oversight and quality assurance.

• Provide oversight and ensure quality assurance process are in place on the implementation of HACT assurance activities and the use of the FACE form at the country level. This includes the quality of assurance reports and follow-up and escalation of findings of assurance activities consistent with the HACT Procedure.

• Provide oversight and ensure quality assurance processes are in place on the implementation of the CSO Procedure. This includes ensuring that partners are selected in accordance with the CSO Procedure, time limits for operationalizing partnerships are met, especially in humanitarian responses, results are clearly articulated and SMART and budgets reflect actual requirements for achieving results.

• In collaboration with the regional focal points, ensure coherence and articulation of AAP and PSEA in the implementation of partnership across the region.

• Contribute to joint Operations and Programmes peer reviews to assess gaps in partnerships management and address them, as well as good practices that can be expanded across the region.

3. Analysis, monitoring, and reporting

• From a regional perspective, monitor and report on the status of HACT implementation at the country level using corporate tools and systems such as e-Tools and In-Sight and identify high risk areas requiring special support.

• Prepare regional reports for Regional Office and Headquarters as may be required.

• Analyze and monitor cash transfers at regional and country level

4. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Support and facilitate country office capacity and knowledge exchange on in-country implementing partnerships management intra-office processes.

• Support and facilitate country office capacity development activities of staff on implementing partnership management with a special focus on implementation of HACT and CSO Procedures.

• Support and facilitate implementing partners capacity development activities on implementing partnership management with a special focus on implementation of HACT and CSO Procedures.

• Identify and share good practices on implementing partnership management in general and HACT and CSO partnerships in particular; and interact with NYHQ and other agencies at global, regional, and country level on matters concerning implementing partnership management.

• Promote HACT in regional senior management and other forums, building awareness, promoting good practice, and highlighting areas of risk.

• Support ERM exercises with a particular emphasis on ensuring that risks for implementing partnership management are appropriately identified and relevant mitigating measures put in place and considering the larger risk picture in the region and countries.

• Support country offices in the roll-out and implementation of e-Tools for implementing partnership management, in coordination with relevant staff.

Impact of Results

This position operationalizes the digitalization of UNICEF’s programme implementation-related processes to ensure efficiency and effectiveness of the processes; transparency and oversight; quality results; and the ability to effectively use data in decision making particularly for risk management. The mandatory nature of these platforms means that not only must COs adopt them but be able to use them actively and effectively in management of partnerships and associated risks. This role will impact the efficiency of the rollout to and adoption by offices in the region, improve the overall quality of user adoption, enhance regional office monitoring, and feedback to COs, and contribute to solutions and innovations with ICTD & DAPM.

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

• A university degree in Business Administration, International Development, or similar areas.

• Two years of relevant professional work experience at the national and/or international levels in partnership management and associated processes with global and cross functional teams and stakeholders.

• Fluency in English and Spanish is required.  Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese is considered as an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

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.

Remarks:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.