Chief Field Office, P-3, Fixed Term, Bor South Sudan (For Non-South Sudanese Only)

Contract

This is a P-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about P-3 contracts and their salaries.

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, a future

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 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.

The Chief of Field Office, Bor, Jonglei State reports to the Chief, Field Operations and Emergency and is responsible for the overall management of the Jonglei region, including supervision of the Pibor Field Office and programs / operations staff for Jonglei State, and the effective work planning, programme implementation and monitoring of the results in the field. The post is field-based (Bor) with frequent travel within the Area of Responsibility (AoR).

The situation in South Sudan remains complex. The protracted crises and fragile political and security context are resulting in a continued deterioration of the humanitarian situation. South Sudan is characterized by continuous Sub-National and inter-communal conflict, recurrent natural disasters, internal displacement, rising poverty, unprecedented levels of food and nutrition insecurity, as well as disease outbreaks. The fragile peace agreement during the transitional Government arrangement is compounding weak public services and a weak economy. UNICEF is required to work innovatively and cross sectorally to build resilience, prevent disaster and improve the lives and well-being of South Sudanese. The context requires working flexibility and rapidly to adapt to multiple operational constraints in the highly volatile and unpredictable context.

How can you make a difference?

Purpose of the job:

Under the guidance of the Chief Field Operations and Emergency, the Chief Field Office (CFO) for Jonglei State is accountable for the effective management and leadership of the total programme commitment for State, including Pibor field office. The CFO is a member of the Country Management Team (CMT), and responsible to represent UNICEF in his/her Area of Responsibility (AoR), leading integration of regular and emergency programme activities. The CFO will enable a team of competent professional and support staff to achieve the strategic goals and quality results of UNICEF’s programme of cooperation, country programme management plan and overall vision set by the Representative, including focus on most vulnerable children, risk informed programming and inter-sectoral approaches.

Key function, accountabilities, and related duties/tasks

The incumbent is responsible for providing predictable, timely and strategic leadership and representation for Jonglei State working collectively to achieve results for children in a complex environment. Within the delegated authority, the incumbent is responsible for the following areas and key end results

1. Effective management of UNICEF presence, staff and assets in the Area of Responsibility

• Facilitate and implement measures to ensure safety and security of UNICEF staff and assets
• Effectively lead FO teams and manage the performance and conduct the staff members to deliver results, including mentoring support and conflict sensitivity awareness
• Participate in meetings and events, moving forward the agenda for children.

2. Effective knowledge management systems to strengthen programme management.

• Ensure data collection, 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 donor and media visits and development of training and orientation material.

3. Programme Development and Management for the AoR

• Situation Analysis prepared and updated, including socio-political economic trends and implications.
• Identify critical intervention points and measures with consistent and transparent monitoring system.
• Establish programme workplans, monitor compliance, provide support and guidance to programme teams to meet objectives, ensuring conflict sensitive approaches.
• Identify HR requirements and on-going staff development needs and provide mentoring support.
• Prepare recommendations for programme documentation. Review and evaluate technical, institutional, and financial feasibility and constraints of programme/projects with Government and other partners.
• Prepare reports required for management, donors, budget reviews, programme analysis, etc.
• Support development of concept notes, proposals, budgets and program documents in collaboration with Donor Relations/Partnerships, Deputy Rep., Programme Chiefs, and Emergency Unit as relevant.

4. Optimal Use of Programme funds.

• Establish and supervise programme work plans and monitor progress and compliance.
• Take appropriate actions to optimize use of programme funds. Monitor the overall allocation and disbursement of programme funds, making sure proper coordination, monitoring and liquidation.
• Ensure programme efficiency and delivery through a rigorous and transparent approach to programme planning, monitoring and evaluation.

5. Programme monitoring and evaluations effectively conducted to improve programme performance, and programme status reports timely prepared.

• Undertake field visits and ensure that his/her staff conduct field visits to monitor and assess programme implementation and decide on required corrective action.
• Carry out a rigorous and transparent approach to evaluate and participate in evaluation exercises in consultation with the Representative, Program Monitoring and Evaluation Chief, Evaluation Officer and others to improve efficiency and quality of programme delivery.
• Participate in sector review meetings with government. Ensure timely annual program status reports
• Ensure Gender/sex-disaggregated data and inputs 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.

• Adopt rights-based approaches in design and implementation of strategies and programme frameworks.
• Formulate consistent and effective planning, design, implementation, monitoring and/or evaluation of programmes and projects. Bring coherence, synergy and added value to programme planning and design processes using a results-based management approach to programme planning and design.
• Prepare and submit viable conflict sensitive recommendations on project implementation, alternative approaches, and optimal fund utilization to contribute effectively to fulfill the rights of children and women.

7. National and Local Capacity Building/Sustainability Effectively gained and establish commitment to and institutional capacities of national and local partners

• 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 commitment and institutional capacities of national and local partners, taking a strategic approach to the identification of partners and partnerships.

8. Effective partnerships and collaboration achieved and maintained for advocacy, technical cooperation, programme development/management, information sharing and networking.

• Develop partnership and collaboration with internal and external counterparts, including UN and national partners, to improve collection, dissemination and exchange of information, on context and security, programme/project status, implementation, supply status, etc.
• Collaborate with Operations Section to establish and maintain sound internal controls to support programmes and coordinate financial and supply management requirements and accountability.
• Maintain close collaboration with Chiefs in the CO, for effective overall coordination on programmes.
• Plan, develop, and implement programmes, including conflict sensitive approaches collaborating with government, CSOs, local groups, and all relevant stakeholders and partners.
• Provide leadership in technical advice, negotiation, advocacy, and promotion of regional goals, for agreement on practicable actions to be supported by programme and country level cooperation.

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

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in one of the following fields is required: social sciences, international relations, public administration, government, public relations, public/social policy, social / community development, or another relevant technical field.

Professional Experience:

A minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in programme management, planning, monitoring and evaluation, project administration or another relevant area is required.

Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.

Experience in effective leadership and management of teams to deliver results in high stress/risk environments is desirable.

Experience in humanitarian contexts is required with experience in development contexts an added advantage.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge in another official UN language is considered an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

Core Competencies

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (2)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with Others (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Drives to Achieve Impactful Results (2)

Functional Competencies

• Analyzing (2)
• Deciding and initiating action (2)
• Formulating strategies and concepts (2)
• Leading and supervising (2)
• Persuading and influencing (2)
• Relating and networking (2)

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 and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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 towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

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 may also be 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.