Programme Management Specialist

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. 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 fulfil 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

At UNICEF Sierra Leone, the Office of the Deputy Representative is responsible for Programme Coordination across eight sections/units: Child Protection, Education, Health and Nutrition, Innovation, Planning and Monitoring, Social Policy, Social Transformation (Social and Behavioural Change (SBC), Gender, Adolescent Development And Participation (ADAP), Water, Sanitiation and Hygien (WASH), with some coordination with two field offices. It is therefore the highest cross-cutting unit and also directly oversees the Budget, Emergency and Partnership functions. Under the guidance of the Deputy Representative (Programmes), who is accountable for programme, planning, design, implementation, and administration of specific projects within the country programme, the unit focuses on the achievement of UNICEF’s strategic priorities, in accordance with the recently validated 2025-2030 Country Programme recommendations and Country Programme Management Plan. The UN Volunteer will support these functions extensively and, as a technical expert, will provide timely and effective expert advice, guidance, and input to situation analysis, programme strategy, planning, implementation and evaluation, and human resources. S/he will also make viable recommendations on project implementation, alternative approaches, and optimal utilization of resources that contribute effectively to the fulfilment of the rights of children and women.

Under the supervision of the Deputy Representative (Programmes), the UN Volunteer is partially or fully accountable for the assigned tasks and end results.

1. Knowledge Management for Programmes
• Ensure that country programmes are strengthened by knowledge management through data collection and analysis, complete and accurate reporting, as well as participation in the Programme Coordination Meetings.
• Participate in information exchange through donor and media visits as well as in the de-velopment of concept notes, investment cases, and other materials.

2. Programme Development and Management
• Support preparation of programme work plans as required. Responsible for preparation of programme recommendations for inclusion in formal programme documentation, and new approaches, methods, practices and reporting.

3. Optimal Use of Programme Funds
• Assist in establishing programme work plans and monitor progress and compliance. Help to manage that funds are properly coordinated, monitored, and liquidated. Ensure programme efficiency and delivery through a transparent approach to programme planning, monitoring, and evaluation.

4. Programme Monitoring and Evaluations
• Assist the Deputy Representative in overall monitoring and field visits to monitor, assess programme implementation and decide on required corrective action.
• Participate in annual sector review meetings with government counterparts.
• Assist in timely preparation of annual programme status reports.

5. Rights-Based and Results-Based Programme Management Approach
• Assist the Deputy Representative Programme in assuring the quality of child rights-based programmes through consistent and effective planning, design, implementation, monitoring, and/or evaluation of programmes and projects. Bring coherence, synergy, and added value to the programming planning and design processes using a results-based management approach to programme design.
• Ensure viable recommendations on project implementation, alternative approaches, and optimal utilization of resources that contribute effectively to the fulfilment of the rights of children and women, and recommendations on new programme initiatives and management issues to ensure achievement of stated objectives, through preparation and contribution to Programme Coordination Meetings.

8. Partnership, Coordination, and Collaboration
• Assist the Deputy Representative in developing partnerships and collaboration with internal and external counterparts, including those of the UN and national partners, 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.
• Collaborate with the Operations Section to establish and maintain sound internal controls supportive of programming endeavours and to coordinate financial and supply management requirements and accountability.
• Support the planning, development, and implementation of sectoral programme(s). Provide leadership in the provision of technical advice, negotiation, advocacy, and promotion of country-level goals, leading to agreement on practicable and priority actions to be supported by the UNICEF programme and country-level cooperation.

Key End-Results
1. Effective coordination management and systems are developed in coordination with the Deputy Representative and utilized to strengthen country programme management.
2. Programme Implementation Analysis is prepared/updated, critical programme intervention points/measures are identified, and programme work plans/recommendations/reports are well prepared.
3. Programme funds are monitored and followed up for optimal use.
4. Deputy Representative is supported with full incorporation of rights-based and results-based programming approach into all phases of programme and project processes.
5. Statutory and other relevant meetings led by the Deputy Representative are well organized.
6. Donor reports are duly edited and submitted/uploaded in FIORI system on time.
7. Effective partnership and collaboration achieved and maintained for advocacy, technical cooperation, programme development/management/coordination, information sharing, and networking.