Programme Officer, Child Survival & Development (CSD), NOA, Banjul, The Gambia, Open to Gambian Nationals Only

Contract

This is a NO-1 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-1 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, Hope

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. 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.

Job Organizational Context:

The Child Survival and Development (CSD) Programme Officer works within the CSD programme of the Country Programme Development (CPD). The CSD Programme Officer will report to the Programme Manager CSD.

The position of the CSD Officer is to assist in the delivery of Health, WASH and Nutrition outputs specifically focusing on behavior change and emergency response of the country programme

How can you make a difference?

Purpose for the job:

Under the direct guidance of the CSD Manager, Child Survival & Development Officer provides professional technical assistance and support for programme/project design, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and administration of programme/project activities, including data analysis, progress reporting, knowledge networking and capacity building, in support of achievement of the planned objectives of the work plan, aligned with country programme goals and strategy. Specifically, the CSD Officer will support the Health, WASH and Nutrition components of the CSD section, and support CSD Manger for integrated approach across thematic areas.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

The incumbent will be accountable to provide professional technical, operational and administrative assistance throughout the programming process for the WASH, health and nutrition programs /projects within the Country Office. As a CSD Officer, incumbent will provide support to the counterpart and CSD Manger for integrated approach in:

1. Programme/Project Management

• Ensure the availability of accurate, complete and up-to-date information required for effective Health/Immunization, Nutrition & WASH Programme/project design, implementation, management, monitoring and evaluation, including cross sectoral elements such as gender disaggregation, disaster risk etc.
• Draft sound Health & Nutrition/WASH programme activities and budgets for review by the supervisor.
• Keep abreast of Health, Nutrition and WASH sector development trends, for maximum efficiency and effectiveness in programme design, management and implementation.
• Enhance project efficiency and effectiveness through implementation complying with UNICEF core commitments, program outputs and results-based management of program resources.
• Provide professional technical assistance in the preparation of the Situation Analysis for programme development and management by collecting and analyzing data and monitoring implementation progress.

2. Programme Monitoring and Evaluations

• With other external support agencies, support in strengthening national government Health, Nutrition and WASH sector monitoring systems
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sectoral reviews with government and other counterparts and prepare reports on results for required action/interventions at the higher level of programme management.
• Prepare/assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths/weaknesses in programmes and management, identify and document lessons learned.
• Provide technical assistance in the planning, implementation and coordination of evidence generation studies for Health, Nutrition and WASH.
• Collaborate with partners to carry out a rigorous and transparent approach to evaluation and participate in the major programme evaluation exercises in consultation with the PME specialist and others to improve efficiency and quality of programme delivery.

3. Technical and operational support to programme implementation

• Ensure compliance with office assurance framework and protocols with appropriate financial, administrative, partnership and supply/service related documentation; verify that Health & Nutrition/WASH project expenditures are within allotments and that data is consistent with the project information. Follow up on queries or initiate corrective action on discrepancies.
• Provide technical and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners, and other country office partners and donors on the application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes, and best practices on CSD related issues to support programme implementation, operations and delivery of results

4. Networking and partnership building

• Build and sustain effective partnerships with government counter parts and key stakeholders at regional, district, community and household levels as well as with funding partners including the private sector in order to accelerate achievement of Health, Nutrition and WASH related CO outcomes and SDG goals.
• Keeps close contacts with external counterparts, including those of the UN and national partners, in order to improve the ability to collect and disseminate relevant data, exchange information on programme/project development and implementation. Shares knowledge, information, experience and lessons learned.
• Assist the section in the identification of partnerships, synergies as well as required supplies and services complying with UNICEF outputs, assuring accuracy and consistency with established rules, regulations and plans of action.
• Draft communication and information materials for CO programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and support fund raising for CSD programmes

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Contribute to the systematic assessment of Health, Nutrition and WASH sector capacity need/gap analysis, in collaboration with government and other stakeholders, and support the design of initiative to strengthen capacities systematically.
• Identify, capture, synthesize, and share lessons learned for knowledge development and to build the capacity of community structures, government partners and stakeholders to document best practices.
• Create and deliver learning opportunities for UNICEF staff, and government partners to ensure programme sector capacity remains up-to-date with latest developments.
• Apply innovative approaches and promote good practices to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable programme results.

6. Emergency preparedness and response

• Assist in the implementation of emergency preparedness plan relating to Health, Nutrition and WASH. In case of emergency, assists in monitoring and assessing the nature and extent of the emergency in the assigned area.
• Take up support roles in an emergency response and early recovery, as and when required

Attached is the Job Profile Programme Officer CSD Level 1.docx For detailed description of the task and responsibilities.

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

• ****Education-** A university degree in one of the following fields: Public Health, Nutrition, Health Sciences, Management, Child Development, Water and Sanitation, Engineering, Public Administration, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or other relevant disciplines**
• Experience- A minimum of two years of professional work experience in programmes related to Health, Nutrition or WASH Field work experience. Background/familiarity with both development and Emergency contexts is an asset. Experience in Health, WASH/Nutrition programme/project development with a UN Agency or International organization is an asset.
• Language -Fluency in English is required.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are.

• Functional Competencies:

  • Formulating strategies and concepts (I)
  • Analyzing (II)
  • Applying technical expertise ((II)
  • Learning and researching (II)
  • Planning and organizing (II)

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

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.

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:

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.