Programme Officer, NO-1, Colombo, Sri Lanka

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, results.

How can you make a difference?

Under the overall guidance of the supervisor, provide professional technical assistance and support for programme design, planning and implementation, management and evaluation of programme/project activities, data analysis and progress reporting, in support of programme goals and objectives.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

Within the delegated authority and the given organizational set-up, the incumbent may be responsible for all or most of the following areas of major duties and key end results.

1. Knowledge Management for Programmes

Contribute to country programmes by supporting knowledge management through the provision of technical assistance in data collection and analysis, complete and accurate reporting as well as support in managing and sharing documentation of good practices and lessons learned, both internally and with external stakeholders.

Participate in information exchange with partners as well as in the development of training and orientation material by providing professional technical assistance.

2. Programme Development and Management

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. Contribute to the identification of critical intervention points and measures by administering a consistent and transparent monitoring system; analyse country-level socio-political-economic and disaster trends and their implications for ongoing programmes and projects. Draft or prepare programme work plans as required. Propose adjustments/changes in work plans. Propose programme recommendations for inclusion in formal programme documentation, and new approaches, methods and practices for the supervisor.

Participate in the formulation and development of plans of action in preparation and response to emergencies and monitor compliance of all sectors with emergency plans of action, including financial resources. Support the Programme Officer (DRRO) to coordinate the management of emergency preparedness and response, including timely submission of Situation Reports, donor reports and document lessons learned.

3. Optimum Use of Program Funds

Monitors programme implementation progress and compliance. Monitors the allocation and disbursement of programme funds, making sure that funds are properly coordinated, monitored and liquidated. Takes appropriate recommendations or actions to optimize the use of programme funds.

4. Programme Monitoring and Evaluations

Undertakes field visits to monitor and assess programme implementation and decides on required corrective action.

Collaborate with partners to carry out a rigorous and transparent approach to evaluation and participate in major programme evaluation exercises in consultation with the Representative, the Operations Manager, the Evaluation Officer and others to improve the efficiency and quality of programme delivery. Participate in annual sector review meetings with government counterparts. Collaborate and prepare annual program status reports in a timely manner, as required.

5. Rights-Based and Results-Based Programme Management Approach

Support a rights-based programmes approach in the formulation of programme goals and objectives and the development of strategies and implementation frameworks. Collaborate with partners and assist in the strengthening of quality child rights-based programmes through consistent and effective planning, design, implementation, monitoring and/or evaluation of programmes and projects. Contribute to coherence, synergy and added value to the programming planning and design processes using a results-based management approach to programme planning and design.

Provide professional technical assistance in preparing viable recommendations on project implementation, alternative approaches, new initiatives and optimal utilization of resources that contribute effectively to the fulfilment of the rights of children and women.

6. National and Local Capacity Building/Sustainability

Provide government authorities with technical assistance and support in planning and organizing training programmes for the purpose of capacity building and programme sustainability.

Promote and maintain the building and reinforcing of the commitment and institutional capacities of the national and local partners by identifying these partners and partnerships and providing continuous support, coordination and collaboration for sustainability.

Support in planning and conducting training for the office's staff capacity building in emergency preparedness and response. Assist in developing and conducting emergency training courses. Provide training and/or briefings, as required. Participate in other emergency training workshops in the region and build up the emergency preparedness and response capability of UNICEF staff as well as implementing partners.

7. 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 and implementation and movement/distribution of supplies.

Provide professional support in the provision of technical advice, negotiation, advocacy and promotion of area/country level goals, leading to agreement on practical and priority actions to be supported by the UNICEF programme.

During emergency situations, support UNICEF to maintain continuous, effective and strategic coordination, communication, consultation and liaison with Government, UN agencies, NGOs, donors and allies to appeal for aid for children and women with special needs resulting from the emergency requiring an effective emergency response in all sectors. Identify implementing/operational partners and establish implementing arrangements. Ensure that UNICEF support is effectively provided to the government with respect to sectoral coordination within the framework of the cluster approach and based on the Core Commitments for Children.

Participate in all humanitarian and recovery-related forums and keep management informed of all humanitarian developments in the country in terms of policies, strategies, situation developments, potential threats and opportunities/issues in partnerships.

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

Education –

A university degree in one of the following fields is required: Social Sciences, International Relations, Government, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or another relevant technical field.

Experience –

• A minimum of one year of relevant professional work experience is required.
• Experience working in a developing country is considered an asset.
• Background/familiarity with emergencies is considered an asset.

Language requirements –

Fluency in English is required and knowledge of a local language is an asset.

Technical Knowledge

i) Specific Technical Knowledge Required (for the Job)

• Rights-based and Results-based approach and programming in UNICEF.

• UNICEF programme policy, procedures and guidelines in the Manual.

ii) Common Technical Knowledge Required (for the job group)

• Methodology of programme/project management

• UNICEF programmatic goals, visions, positions, policies and strategies.

• Knowledge of global human rights issues, specifically relating to children and women, and the current UNICEF position and approaches.

• UNICEF policies and strategy to address national and international issues, particularly relating to conflicts, natural disasters, and recovery.

• UNICEF emergency programme policies, goals, strategies and approaches.

• Gender equality and diversity awareness

iii) Technical Knowledge to be Acquired/Enhanced (for the Job)

• UN policies and strategy to address international humanitarian issues and the responses.

• UN common approaches to programmatic issues and UNICEF positions

• UN security operations and guidelines.

• 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

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.

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:

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

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 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.

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

If you think this position might be for you, please take the time to review our Country Office Mutual Agreements before you apply.

If you believe you can team member that can uphold these everyday, then we look forward to receiving and reviewing your application