Chief Field Office (Child Protection), NO-3, Manaus, Brazil

Under the direct supervision of the Territory Coordinator, the Chief Field Office will be accountable for programme, planning, design, implementation and administration of the total programme commitment of a small size Zonal Office with a broad range of projects, in accordance with Country Programme Recommendation and Country Programme Management Plan focused on achievement of UNICEF's Priorities.

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

Under the direct supervision of the Territory Coordinator, the Chief Field Office is accountable for programme, planning, design, implementation and administration of the total programme commitment of a small size Zonal office with a broad range of projects, in accordance with Country Programme Recommendation and Country Programme Management Plan, focused on achievement of UNICEF's Priorities, especially in the Protection section.

Key Expected Results

1. Knowledge Management for Programmes

- Ensure that area/country programmes are strengthened by knowledge management through data collection and analysis, complete and accurate reporting as well as participation in the Programme Knowledge Network system of  "lessons learned" and other corporate-level databases; participate in information exchange through donor and media visits as well as in the development of training and orientation material.

2. Programme Development and Management

- Contribute to the preparation of the Situation Analysis for programme development. Administer a consistent and transparent monitoring system; providing accurate analysis of country level socio-political-economic trends and their implications for ongoing programmes and projects.

- Support preparation of programme work plans as required.

- Responsible for preparation of program recommendations for inclusion in formal programme documentation, and new approaches, methods and practices.

3. Programme Monitoring and Evaluations and funds optimization

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

- Carry out a rigorous and transparent approach to evaluation and participate the major programme evaluation exercises in consultation with the Representative, the Operations Officer, the Evaluation Officer and others to improve efficiency and quality of programme delivery.

- Participate in annual sector review meetings with government counterparts. Ensure the timely preparation of annual program status reports. Support periodic programme reviews with State counterparts and other partners. Review the work of State Government Authority, other actors and NGOs and ensures that these are integral parts of the State plans. Provide ongoing support to State's protection coordination mechanism.

- Assist in establishing programme work plans and monitors progress and compliance. Help to manage allocation and disbursement of programme funds, ensuring that funds are properly coordinated, monitored and liquidated. Take appropriate actions to optimize use of programme funds. Ensure programme efficiency and delivery through transparent approach to programme planning, monitoring and evaluation.

- Provide technical advice and assistance to State officials and other partners in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of child protection Projects.

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

- Assure 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 programme new initiatives and management issues to ensure achievement of stated objectives.

5. State and Local Capacity Building/Sustainability

- Provide government authorities, in the protection area, with technical supports and guidance to plan and organize training programmes for the purpose of capacity building and programme sustainability.

- Ensure the building or reinforcing of the commitment and institutional capacities of state and municipal partners starting with taking a strategic approach to the identification of these partners and partnerships.

- Support the preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of child protection plans for the States under the Zonal Office supervision.

- Conduct policy analysis from a children's and women's rights perspective and advocacy at the community and family levels for credibility in national and international policy debates. (P4) Promote the organization goals of UNICEF through advocacy and policy dialogue.

6. Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration

- Develop 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. Linkage to the Regional Programme Knowledge Network to ensure the availability of current and accurate programme data.

- Collaborate with the Operations Section to establish and maintain sound internal controls supportive of programming endeavors and to coordinate financial and supply management requirements and accountability.

- Established and maintain the highest level of contact with local government decision-makers and influential stakeholders in the region, to advocate and promote women and children's rights as a priority in development efforts. In collaboration with the State and Municipal Governments, direct and manages the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of UNICEF programme assistance. This includes preparation and updating of the Country Programme Plan of Action (CPAP), Annual Work Plans and all other related programme strategy documentation.

7. Zonal Office fully supported and managed

- Assess staffing and administrative requirements to support programme goals and prepares funding submissions. Establish an office work plan for the Manaus Zonal Office and oversees its implementation. Foster good management and staff relations through effective information sharing and open channels of communication. Manage the cost-effective, appropriate utilization, protection and accounting of all organizational resources, (i.e., financial, human, fixed assets, as well as programme supplies, equipment and cash assistance) in accordance with UNICEF rules and procedures.

- Document and inform on all Manaus Zonal Office programme activities through regular and special reports (i.e. annual progress reports, donor and financial status reports, etc.), indicating progress as well as difficulties and recommending actions to be undertaken. Monitor UNICEF's programme assistance through field visits to project sites. Meet with government counterparts, partners as well as the community to gain first-hand knowledge of the conditions and effectiveness of all programme activities and monitors progress.


Qualifications of Successful Candidate

Education

• An advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in Social Sciences, or related technical field is required.


Experience

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional work experience, at the national and/or international level, in programme management, monitoring and evaluation, in a related field is required.

• Previous professional working experience in the region is considered an asset.

• Past experience working on distance basis is desirable.

• Previous professional work experience at the managerial/supervisory level is desirable.

Language

• Fluency in Portuguese and English is required. Knowledge of an additional UN Language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish) is considered an asset.


Competencies of Successful Candidate

Core Values

• Commitment

• Diversity and Inclusion

• Integrity

Core competencies

• Communication  [ II ]           

• Working with People  [ II ]         

• Drive for Results  [ II ]

Functional Competencies

• Leading and Supervising  [ II ]               

• Formulating Strategies and Concepts  [ II ]      

• Analyzing  [ II ]                                        

• Relating and Networking  [ II ]                      

• Deciding and Initiating Action  [ II ]          

• Applying Technical Expertise  [ II ]

To view our competency framework, please click here. 

Please note that this Vacancy Announcement is open for competition to Brazilian nationals only.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all religious and ethnic backgrounds, representing the diversity of Brazil, such as black and indigenous people, to apply to become a part of our organization. Candidates will be treated equally regardless of gender, sexual orientation, special needs, social and HIV/aids status. UNICEF is a smoke-free environment.