Deadline extended; Project Officer, NO-2) TA (364 days, Chisinau, Moldova (For Moldova nationals only)

Contract

This is a NO-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. More about NO-2 contracts.

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, Opportunity...

In the longer run, the Multiplier Grant Programme is expected to improve the way in which ICT is used through identifying the core areas of the curriculum that can benefit from digital support and provide the materials and strategies for teachers to use them. Also, the system efficiency will be improved by better data collection and use by officers and administrators, through strengthening the current Education Management Information System (EMIS) and building the data management capacities of relevant staff. In this context, a modality to follow children through the system and so better identify children at risk of falling behind or dropping out of school will be established.

To implement the above-mentioned programme, a Programme Implementation Unit (PIU) will be established to assist MER, therefore UNICEF is seeking for a Project Officer to coordinate relevant activities.

https://www.unicef.org/moldova/

How can you make a difference?

The Project Officer will manage planning, implementation, and reporting of the Multiplier Grant Programme. The incumbent will serve as the Head of the PIU and manage its team (Finance Officer, M&E Officer and Project Assistant) to ensure effective delivery of project activities, outputs, and results. He/she will also serve as the technical lead of the PIU and technical advisor to the MER.

The position is expected to be carried out within the period December 2022 – September 2023 (with possibility of extension).

The Project Officer will become the leader of the PIU and along with other complementary personnel, Finance Officer, M&E Officer and Project Assistant will work together as a team to achieve the Programme outcomes.

Under the supervision of the UNICEF Moldova Education Officer (NOB), the incumbent will oversee the implementation of the Multiplier Grant Programme and work with MER, Office of the Deputy-Prime Minister for Digitalization, Ministry of Finance, LPAs, national and international NGOs, private sector, etc. to implement the Multi-Annual Work Plan (MAWP) and report on project activities, outputs, and results on a timely basis. The Project Officer will be responsible for all technical, planning, official, monitoring, reporting and progress of the programme.

The Project Officer shall:

• Coordinate and monitor the activities described in the MAWP and report to the MGPSC, Local Education Group (LEG), GA.
• Assist and support the stakeholders, relevant units of MER involved in the implementation of the activities related to ICT.
• Ensure management including managing risks, assessing activities, developing recommendations of the contracts related to development/procurement of ICT.
• Coordinate and monitor the implementation of the contracts related to ICT; perform the risk and vulnerability assessment of the IT activities.
• Assist the Financial Officer by providing technical feedback during the selection process of the companies that will be mainly in charge of the programme activities related to ICT solutions.
• Ensure consistency between various project elements and related activities provided or funded by programme partners.
• Monitor the progress and adjust ensure the completion of activities, suggest, and constantly prepare programme reviews where required to ensure that it meets programme standards.
• Maintain daily communication and working relationships with MER, MGPSC, GA, GPE Secretariat etc. by communicating successes and new developments and actively brief them on opportunities for cooperation.
• Participate in field visits to supervise the progress of the beneficiaries on project implementation as required by the POM.

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

• A first level university degree in Information Technology, Communication and Information Engineering, Informational Management
• A minimum 2 years of relevant professional experience in project management, including the management of IT solutions.
• Experience in design/implementation or monitoring of development programmes in IT. Previous experience with international funding organizations will be considered as an asset.
• Familiarity with the education system of the Republic of Moldova and special education needs.
• Demonstrated experience of aligning project goals with wider development frameworks for long term benefits and understanding of cross-sectoral national planning processes.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills, both at technical level and policy level.
• Fluency in Romanian and working knowledge in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, 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. (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:

Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) applies.

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

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

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. 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.