Policy & Planning Manager (P-4), #100272, Minsk - Belarus, CEE/CIS Region

The incumbent provides strategic direction and coordination of programme management and effective engagement in social policy dialogue with Government, parliament, civil society, and other partners advocating for best child related policies and programmes and improved provisions of child rights in the country; Ensures that equity and gender equality perspectives are mainstreamed in all aspects of substantive work across the country programme; and is accountable for programme coordination and managerial guidance to the office on policy direction and programme initiatives at all phases of programme formulation, planning, design and implementation of a small size country programme, focused on achievement of UNICEF organisational priorities in a upper middle income country and on regional Knowledge and Leadership Agenda.

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.

For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

Purpose of the Position

The incumbent provides strategic direction and coordination of programme management and effective engagement in social policy dialogue with Government, parliament, civil society, and other partners advocating for best child related policies and programmes and improved provisions of child rights in the country;  Ensures that equity and gender equality perspectives are mainstreamed in all aspects of substantive work across the country programme; and is accountable for programme  coordination and managerial guidance to the office on policy direction and programme initiatives at all phases of  programme formulation, planning, design and implementation of a small size country programme, focused on achievement of UNICEF organisational priorities in a upper middle income country and on regional Knowledge and Leadership Agenda.
 

Key Expected Results

1. Knowledge management and policy coordination:

• Ensures that country programme and reforms for children in Belarus are supported by sound knowledge management approaches, sharing and exchange of good practices.
• Establishes complete and accurate reporting and "lessons learned" databases.  Participates in the Programme Knowledge Network system of "lessons learned" and other corporate-level databases.
• Participates in information exchange through donor and media visits as well as in the development of training and orientation material for partners and within the office.
• Leads UNICEF's efforts in identifying knowledge gaps and establishing partnerships to generate cutting-edge equity-focused evidence data and analysis and links them to UNICEF's advocacy, partnership and expertise.
  
  

2. Social policy and programme development and dialogue:

• Coordinates engagement of other senor programme staff and personally engages in social policy dialogue and development with the Government, parliament, civil society and other partners, ensuring policy direction, streamlining and coordination of major strategies and polices in line with programme of cooperation.
• Engages in and establishes constructive dialogue and partnerships between international and local stakeholders to support the development of social policies and programmes contributing to the progressive realization of children's rights.
• Supports various partners and advocates for reforms in social sector, ensuring integrated cross-sectoral strategies and approaches, coordinates support to child rights-based reviews, normative frameworks and budgets.
• Collaborates with the central and local authorities to strengthen community-based capacities on planning, implementation, coordination, monitoring of social policies and programmes. Supports the strengthening of coordination between sectors and between different levels of government structures for policy implementation.
• Writes position papers for use in the development of the UNICEF programme policy. Participates in various international/national meetings and workshops.
• Incorporates a children and women's rights perspective into policy analysis and advocacy at the community and family levels for elevating credibility in national and international policy debates. Promotes the organization goals of UNICEF through advocacy and policy dialogue.
  
  

3. Programme Development and Management:

• Provides overall guidance and direction for programme planning, implementation through on-going consultations and inter-sectoral coordination of activities. Formulates programme goals and objectives and develops strategies and implementation frameworks, including sound monitoring indicators.

• Coordinates preparation of the Country Programme Documents, and related documentation.

• Coordinates major programme evaluation exercises, annual/sector review meetings with government counterparts, prepares RWPs and annual programme status reports. Follows up, coordinating the implementation of the programme recommendation to ensure goals/objectives are met.

• Identifies critical cross sectorial and sectorial interventions by administering a consistent and transparent management and monitoring system; analyses country level socio-political-economic trends and their implications for on-going programme and interventions

• Monitors compliance and provides training, support and guidance to the programme team in order to meet objectives.  Prepares programme recommendations for inclusion in formal programme documentation, Prepares relevant programme reports required for management.

• Plans and monitors the overall allocation and disbursement of programme funds, making sure that funds are properly used. Takes appropriate actions to optimize use of programme funds. Ensures programme efficiency and delivery through a rigorous and transparent approach to programme planning, monitoring and evaluation

• Ensures that the application of gender mainstreaming is integral to all work processes.
  
  

4. Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration:

• Promotes and ensures the inclusion of children and the obligations of various actors to meet their rights in national debates, cross-sectorial national policies and legal reforms, in budgetary decisions, in poverty reduction strategies, in inter-sectorial approaches and programmes.
• Collaborates with Communication Specialist and Partnerships Officer on strategies for communication on social change and social mobilization.
• Promotes 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 knowledge on good practices and lessons learned and, exchanges information on programme implementation.
• Develops strategic and coordinated partnerships and collaboration with various stakeholders, including national and sub-national governments, civil society, the corporate sector, the media and international/European partners to support the development and implementation of the country programme and on-going reforms in Belarus.
• Ensures guidance and coordination in provision of expertise, negotiation, advocacy and promotion of country and regional level goals. Strengthens the role of UNICEF as the key convenor on child rights.
• Maintains close collaboration with Regional Advisers and HQ Officers for effective overall coordination on programmes.
  
  

5. Optimum Use Of Program Funds:

• Approves and monitors the overall allocation and disbursement of programme funds, making sure that funds are properly coordinated, monitored and liquidated.
• Takes appropriate actions to optimize use of programme funds. Ensures programme efficiency and delivery through a rigorous and transparent approach to programme planning, monitoring and evaluation.
• Assesses country programme effectiveness in achieving thematic/cross-cutting and sectoral goals.
• Undertake expert planning, management and monitoring of applicable organizational change processes.

6. Rights-Based and Results-Based Programme Management Approach:

• Adopts rights-based programmes approach in the formulation of programme goals and objectives and development of strategies and implementation frameworks. 
• Ensures the quality of rights-based programmes through the formulation of programme goals and objectives and the development of strategies and implementation frameworks.
• Brings coherence, synergy and added value to the programming planning and design processes using a results-based management approach to programme planning and design that contains a focus on gender equality and strategies for systematically mainstreaming gender.
• Prepares and submits 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 programme new initiatives and management issues to ensure achievement of stated objectives.
  
  

7.  Acts on behalf of the Representative of the Country office during his/her absence:

• Represents UNICEF in meetings with high level and senior government officials as well as multi-lateral, bi-lateral agencies and NGO's to conduct programme advocacy and negotiations, identify strategic alliances and influence policy development to facilitate achievement of programme goals and objectives.
• Participates in international/national meetings and workshops.
  
  

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

• An advanced university degree in Social Sciences, International Relations, Public Administration, Social Development, Development Planning, or other relevant disciplines is required.
• A minimum of eight (8) years of relevant work experience that combines technical and managerial leadership in development cooperation at the international level, some of which served in middle-income countries, including solid experience in planning and management of a medium-size country programme, resource management, monitoring and evaluation and fostering cross-sectoral cooperation is required.
• A proven track record in successful policy advice to and advocacy with governments and other partners in similar country contexts leading to improved policies and programmes is required.
• Knowledge and experience in networking, advocacy, resource mobilisation and negotiation is required.
• Strong leadership, inter-personal and teamwork skills as well as demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships both within and outside the organization is required.
• Relevant professional experience in a UN system agency or organization is an asset.
• Thorough understanding of UNICEF programme policies, goals, strategies and approaches is an asset.
• Fluency in English (verbal & written proficiency) is required. Fluency or working knowledge of Russian and/or Belorussian is a strong asset. 
   

Competencies of Successful Candidate

• Has highest-level communication skills, including engaging and informative formal public speaking (Communication – Level 2).
• Creates and encourages a climate of team-working and collaboration in a multi-cultural environment (Working with People – Level 2).
• Consistently achieves high-level results, managing and delivering projects on-time and on-budget (Drive for Results – Level 2).
• Has high-level leadership and supervisory skills; provides others with a clear direction; motivates and empowers others; recruits staff of a high caliber; provides staff with development opportunities and coaching (Leading & Supervising – Level 2).
• Sets, develops and revises organizational strategy and develops clear visions of the organization's future potential (Formulating Strategies and Concepts – Level 2).
• Analyzes and integrates diverse and complex quantitative and qualitative data from a wide range of sources (Analyzing – Level 2).
• Quickly builds rapport with individuals and groups. Actively nurtures good relationships with people across all organizational levels and boundaries, and with government leaders and stakeholders (Relating & Networking – Level 2).
• Identifies urgent and potentially difficult decisions and acts on them promptly; initiates and generates team- and department-wide activities (Deciding and Initiating Action – Level 2).
• Negotiates effectively with people inside and outside the organization by adopting a range of approaches (Persuading & Influencing – Level 2).
  

 To view our competency framework, please click here. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.