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 — not only will give all 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.

The Senior Program Coordinator reports to the CO Deputy Representative for general supervision and direction. The Senior Program Coordinator serves as the principal adviser on coordinating World Bank (WB) program portfolio (4 projects), coordinating all phases of each project, from formulation to delivery of results in accordance with UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework, ethics, and integrity. He ensures development of workplan, performance benchmark, budget coherence, and integration within country office strategies and programs.

How can you make a difference? 

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1.World Bank Programme planning and development

• Coordinate the planning and updating of the situation analysis by the various sectors to establish comprehensive data and information for WB programme development planning, management, monitoring and evaluation.
• Provide advice to the Deputy Representative on strategies, direction and planning of WB projects to translate analytical data/information (from situation analysis) and national priorities and goals into concrete actions that advances UNICEF goals in the country on child rights, survival and development.
• Guide and advise the various sectoral teams throughout the process of WB programme formulation, planning and preparation of the Country Programme ensuring harmonization of approaches and alignment among WB projects, corporate guidelines, policies/procedures and regional and national priorities.
• Provide technical and operational guidance to the heads of project and their team, as delegated by the Deputy Representative, throughout all stages of WB programming process to ensure cooperation, collaboration and harmonization of programmes and projects.
• Coordinate necessary technical programming support from any partners of counterpart involved in the development of WB programs.
• Review WB programs to ensure the quality and alignment with UNICEF’s Strategic plan, compliance with policies and procedures and that documentation materials are completed accurately and comprehensively to facilitate Executive Board review and approval.

2.Support to the Deputy Representative on managing the Country Office

• Constantly monitor and assess WB programmes and operations and provide advice on best and innovative programming and management practices to enhance WB programming and operations.
• Advise the Deputy Representative on WB programs, 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 Deputy Representative for timely action.
• Establish clear individual 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.
• Work collaboratively with the Deputy Representative, the partnership manager and the various sectors to facilitate/contribute to the preparation of WB budgets and follow-up. Monitor critical issues to resolve problems and/or recommend to the Deputy Representative appropriate action to ensure appropriate and optimum use of resources.

3.Monitoring and quality control of World Bank Programmes

• Participate in WB meetings/events and annual/mid term reviews with WB, government and other counterparts/stakeholders to contribute to strategic programme discussions, planning and assessments.
• Evaluate WB 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 Deputy Representative on resolutions to ensure delivery of results as planned and allocated.
• Monitor the optimum and appropriate use of WB programmes 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 and operational reports. Confirm accuracy of reports prior to approval by the Deputy  Representative.
• Oversee and coordinate ESS and PSEA compliance standards, in line with WB and UNICEF guidance and policies
• Support,  lead and coordinate all engagements and follows up with WB BSMA (in close coordination with partnerships, sections and PME). 

4.Representation, alliance building and World Bank coordination

• Represent UNICEF (as appropriate/delegated) in WB organizational, regional, global, public information/relations events and key meetings to contribute to strategic discussions on programming issues, policy dialogue, discuss initiatives, report on progress achieved, present papers/ideas and/or advocate UNICEF’s vision in the Country that is consistent with UNICEF Strategic Plan and supportive of national development goals and priorities.
• Collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on WB planning of programmes/projects.
• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships related to WB programmes, with government institutions, national stakeholders and global partners/allies/donors/academia to advocate UNICEF goals to advance child’s right to survival, development and well being, mobilize resources, seek cooperation and establish alliances.

5.Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Advise the Deputy Representative and other internal colleagues in the CO on the conceptualization, development and implementation of WB 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 from WB programmes to enhance performance and to use lessons learned in development/policy planning. 
• Promote learning and development of WB programmes 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 in one of the following fields is required: social sciences, international relations, government and public relations, public or social policy, sociology, social or community development, or another relevant technical field.

Experience: A minimum of ten (10) years of professional development experience that combines technical and managerial leadership in development cooperation at the international level, some of which served in developing countries is required.

Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.

Desirables:

• Relevant professional experience in any UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.

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…

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (3)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (3)
• Works Collaboratively with others (3)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (3)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (3)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (3)
• Drives to achieve impactful results (3)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (3)

Functional Competencies

• Analyzing (3)
• Deciding and initiating action (3)
• Persuading and influencing (3)

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.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female 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.

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.