Programme Specialist (Implementing Partnerships & Risk Management), P-3, Fixed Term, Programme Effectiveness Team, DAPM

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.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 140,639 USD and 184,155 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

UNICEF is currently undergoing organizational changes; therefore, the exact location of the post has yet to be determined. Selected candidates may commence duties remotely until the location is confirmed. If reassigned or relocated to New York, candidates may be expected to relocate to a new location again during the initial contract or assignment period.

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

The Programme Effectiveness Team ("PET") in the Division of Data, Analytics, Planning and Monitoring ("DAPM") drives agile, efficient and informed analysis and decision-making at all levels of the organization to enable the most effective programming across all contexts. Within PET, the Programme Implementation Unit (“PIU”) serves as the custodian of UNICEF’s programming approach, including modalities for country programme implementation and major policies and procedures which facilitate the achievement of programme results.

Identification and mitigation of programme risks is fundamental to implementing UNICEF’s programmes, achieving the required results and addressing the demands of the key stakeholders. Over the past decade, UNICEF has strengthened its capacities and systems for management of risks related to implementing partnership management, including the development of policies, procedures, guidance, systems and tools on all aspect of the partnership cycle.

Effective programmatic risk management requires ongoing review and improvement of existing practices and development and rollout of new risk management tools. PIU supports regional and country offices to address broader risks related to implementing partnerships, with increasing demand for a more holistic approach and capacity building to address all forms of risks arising from programme implementation. While the scope for improvement of overall programmatic risk management capacity/system is significant, there are urgent high priority needs to address non-negotiable requirements on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), safeguarding Environmental and Social Standards (ESS) and Data Protection and Privacy.

How can you make a difference?

Purpose of the job

Support the Programme Managers on HACT, Partnerships, PSEA and ESS in designing, developing and rolling out guidance and tools related to the identification and management of risks arising from the implementations of UNICEF programmes. The Programme implementation risk and assurance specialist will conduct analysis, prepare reports and presentations, and provide support to regional and country offices and oversight on the implementation of the procedures for which PIU is business owner: Workplanning, CSO Implementing Partnerships, HACT, IP Prevention of Sexual Exploration and Abuse ("PSEA"), Environmental and Social Standards (ESS), Data Protection and Privacy and other emerging risk areas.

Within the delegated authority and under the given organizational set-up, the incumbent may be assigned the primary, shared, or contributory accountabilities for all or part of the following areas of major duties and key end-results:

• Development of analysis, data visualization and reports on areas of risks and related risk mitigation practices related to implementing partnerships. This will include the preparation of reports and presenting the findings and recommendations to diverse group of audience.
• Support the effective management of risks related to partnerships, including due diligence, HACT, PSEA and other emerging risk areas.
• Adequate capacities of UNICEF staff and IPs in the effective use of risk management measures throughout the partnership cycle, including selection, agreements, internal controls, programmatic and financial risks.
• Provision of adequate and continuous feedback to UNICEF on the quality of assurance activities in the field to achieve results and in adherence to UNCEF’s zero tolerance to corruption.
• Effective and efficient management of the PCA and Programme Document (PD) process.
• Management of the annual IP Audits process.

Key functions/accountabilities

1. Analysis and reporting

• Analyze large sets of data related to programme implementation at global, regional or country office level, including on partnership management, monitoring and assurance and risk mitigation
• Synthesize key observations from the analysis and preparing periodic and ad hoc reports to support the workplan activities of Programme Implementation Unit, including identifying high-risk areas requiring special attention or HQ support
• Monitor the risk management practices at regional and country office level, including compliance with the requirements of the programme implementation and partnership management procedures.

2. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Support the PIU Programme Managers in developing capacity building strategies, training materials and tools related to programme implementation risk management.
• Lead or participate in PIU capacity building initiatives, including the roll-out of updates to the procedures, guidance and related tools
• Participate in the review of country office practices related to programme implementation and partnerships to identify areas for streamlining and strengthening risk management

3. Support to application of risk mitigating programme implementation procedures and related tools

• Preparation of HACT implementation semi-annual reports and maintenance and support to the HACT and IP dashboards
• Management of the Annual IP Audit process, including support to Regional Offices and preparation of annual IP Audit Report
• Support on and conducting due diligence and PSEA assessments of implementing partners

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in data analytics, risk management, international development, business administration, economics, financial management, social sciences, public administration or other relevant areas of study. *A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in programme management or risk management and assurance is required. The successful candidate must demonstrate:
  • Practical experience in the application of PIU’s procedures on workplanning, CSO partnerships, HACT and PSEA.
  • Proficient knowledge of eTools partnership management systems, the UN Partner Portal and Power BI.
  • Ability to conduct analysis, prepare reports, visualize data and information and present at various level of the organization
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

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

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
• Drive to achieve results for impact (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
• Works Collaboratively with others (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.

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.

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.

UNICEF is currently undergoing organizational changes; therefore, the exact location of the post has yet to be determined. Selected candidates may commence duties remotely until the location is confirmed. If reassigned or relocated to New York, candidates may be expected to relocate to a new location again during the initial contract or assignment period.