Programme Officer

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UNICEF - United Nations Children's Fund

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Application deadline 1 year ago: Wednesday 6 Jul 2022 at 00:00 UTC

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Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

For over 70 years, 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 favouritism. 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 fulfil their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries.

UNICEF has therefore been the defender of children around the world, regardless of gender, religion, race or economic background. When the world’s most vulnerable need a champion in the face of conflict, disease or exclusion, UNICEF has been there. UNICEF works with the United Nations and its agencies to make sure that children are on the global agenda to 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 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 fulfil 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. UNICEF has been operating in Zimbabwe since 1982. We are a team of passionate professionals committed to the protection and fulfilment of children’s rights. Supporting the Government’s vision of a prosperous and empowered upper-middle-income society, the 2022 to 2026 country programme is aimed at contributing to sustainable socioeconomic development that provides all children, including adolescents, with opportunities to fulfil their potential, lead a healthy life, access quality learning and protection and meaningfully participate in society.

For more information about UNICEF Zimbabwe please click https://www.unicef.org/zimbabwe/

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Representative or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Programme Officer will support office executive coordination, planning and operations, ensuring efficient and coordinated management mechanisms are in place, providing management and monitoring support to the office of the Representative, and contributing to the overall programme. This will include the below key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

  1. Efficient and coordinated management mechanisms

Country Management Team • Facilitate the coordination of the Country Management Team and prepare an action monitoring report to follow up on the agreed action points. • Develop the agendas and prepare minutes and reports and support meeting implementation. • Collect all related documents and disseminate monthly.

Annual Management Plan • Coordinate with the Deputy Representatives in the preparation of the annual management plan, management review and report. • Follow up and keep the Representative abreast of the status of management priorities identified in the annual management plan.

  1. Management and monitoring support provided to the Office of the Representative

Briefing materials • Ensure timely preparations of substantive materials, including background papers, speeches and speaking notes for meetings with government partners, senior UN Agencies and NGO personnel, as well as internal and inter-agency meetings. • Ensure that the supervisor is prepared for meetings and missions by establishing contacts (within and outside UNICEF) on the subject matters to be discussed.

Coordination and communication • Keep abreast with the main issues facing the office of the Representative (including red flags with regards to management indicators, in close consultation with the Deputy Representatives) and inform the Representative accordingly. • Oversee and ensure the smooth flow of relevant information from the office of the Representative to the CMT, Regional Office and HQ through daily consultations with the Representative. • Disseminate relevant information to CO staff, UN Agencies and other partners. • Organize and draft responses and provide editorial and substantive input as necessary in correspondence submitted for the signature of the Representative. • Contribute to the office by supporting knowledge management initiatives, including developing and maintaining a monitoring system to store, retrieve and track critical correspondence, decisions, memoranda and other documents of the office.

  1. Support to events, meetings and conferences • Prepares, distributes and maintains office event calendars ensuring key organisational and partner events, priorities and deadlines are reflected and updated as required in consultation with the communication section. • Contribute to preparations of logistics for events involving senior management participation, by participating in such meetings and following up on the implementation of recommendations and actions by the relevant teams. Coordinate preparation of background documents and material for these meetings • Ensure that high-level visitors are appropriately addressed, that they receive background information as necessary, and that protocol is respected. • Participate in travel and meetings as required, reporting on outcomes and following up on actions decided, within given deadlines.

  2. Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration • Facilitate partnership and collaboration with internal and external counterparts, including those of the UN and national partners, in order to improve the ability to collect and disseminate development data and information, exchange information on programme/project status. • Support the Resource Mobilization function including external donor engagement

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNICEF; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNICEF procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNICEF in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNICEF’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

programme planning, administration, monitoring and evaluation at the national or international level. • Developing country work experience and background / familiarity with Emergencies is desirable. • Knowledge of Project Planning and Monitoring. • Professional technical knowledge/expertise in project planning and monitoring. • Professional technical knowledge/expertise in the methodology of M&E, including theories, standards and models, quantitative/qualitative/mixed methods, validity/reliability testing of data and data analysis and interpretation. • Professional technical knowledge/expertise in Activity Planning and Monitoring, data analysis, and reporting. • Gender equality and diversity awareness. • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills. • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing. • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development. • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel. • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment. • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines. • Desirable: valid national driver’s license . • Sound security awareness. • Have affinity with or interest in office executive coordination, planning and operations, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

General Information

Harare is the capital of Zimbabwe. It is the seat of Government, the industrial hub and commercial center for Zimbabwe. Harare is a cosmopolitan town full of culture and history. It has over a million residents and a large UN agency presence. It has a range of dining and entertainment facilities and is directly connected by air to Kenya, South Africa, Zambia and other neighboring countries as well as being served by Emirates airlines. Zimbabwe has one of the most favorable climates in the world with beautiful vegetation. Harare overflows with lush gardens. Victoria Falls, one of the world’s biggest and most spectacular waterfalls, is in the country’s northwest. The country has numerous beautiful nature sites and is famous for its many game reserves within easy commuting distance. The currencies in use are the ZWL$ as well as the USD and all basic food and accessories are available. There are public and private health facilities as well as a thriving social scene in Harare.

Security

The Security Level in Harare is classified as Low (Level 2) as per the UN security management system in Zimbabwe. There are no major security challenges to UN operations in Harare. However, individuals must be on the alert as crime, mainly robberies, house break-ins and smash & grab thefts from motor vehicles at traffic lights and road accidents are some of the increasing risks to the UN in Zimbabwe.

Housing

Different types of long-term accommodation are available in Harare. House rentals and prices differ depending on size and location. You should always check with the UNDSS Security Advisor on recommended areas. Ensure that the property has a prolific borehole with a water tank in place and solar energy as back up since electricity can be a challenge. There is an online classifieds website and various reliable estate agencies one can contact to assist with house to rent searches. A list will be provided in the Welcome Pack that is shared with new staff. Depending on your family size and need, it is possible to rent furnished and unfurnished houses, townhouses or apartments.

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org