Programme Manager (HACT), NO-3, Lusaka, Zambia

Exciting opportunity in the area of Harmonized Approach for Cash Transfers

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children's rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world.

For every child, hope…

The UNICEF Programme in Cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) is designed to address and mitigate the triple threat of poverty the country’s children face, while responding to the needs with interventions addressing the multiple causative factors.

In response to the combination these threats involve the Programme supports national efforts to improve service delivery in the key areas of: child health and nutrition and HIV and AIDS, quality basic education, water, sanitation and hygiene education, child protection and social policy, advocacy and communication. 

How can you make a difference?

Under the direction of the Planning Monitoring and Evaluation Manager, and in close collaboration with the Deputy Representative, Planning and M&E staff, Chief of Operations and Chiefs of sections, s/he provides technical and administrative support for the effective implementation of Harmonized Approach for Cash Transfers (HACT) in order to achieve results related to:

1. Proactive implementation of efficient risk-based oversight of cash transferred to partners in the country;
2. Timely identification and remediation of risks impacting the achievement of results and efficient use of cash provided by UNICEF
3. Adequate capacities of UNICEF staff and partners for the effective use of HACT throughout the partnership cycle; and
4. Provision of adequate and continuous feedback to UNICEF on the quality of assurance activities in the field to achieve results and in adherence to UNICEF’s zero tolerance to corruption.

This will involve:

1. Provide technical support to ensure that the Office has evidence-based information, as per the assurance plan, to assess whether progress reported by partners is in accordance with work plans and that resources provided by UNICEF are safeguarded, including:

1. Make recommendations to Office with regards to implementing UNDG HACT Framework as per UNICEF policies and procedures.
2. Adapts HACT tools for the office, such as templates, according to the common criteria established in UNICEF policy and procedures.
3. Coordinate preparation of the assurance plan.  Monitor whether activities are taking place as per the assurance plan and undertake analysis of issues requiring management attention. Prepare monthly progress reports to the CMT / Representative.
4. Support the spot check process in the Office by undertaking select spot checks and/or providing technical support to internal staff undertaking spot checks.
5. Coordinate the contracting of scheduled (and special) audits.
6. Assist programme sections to determine appropriate follow-up actions to issues and recommendations identified in spot checks and scheduled audit.  Plan, coordinate and execute / support follow up contact and visits as required to review the follow up of recommendations emanating from assurance activities.
7. Advise senior management when special audits may be required.  Provide technical support in drafting terms of reference for special audits and follow-up on findings.
8. Identify high-risk areas requiring special support from regional offices and/or HQ.

2. Provide administrative support to the Office in development, documentation and reporting on HACT plans and activities, including:

1. Document the Head of Office’s decision regarding the use of the government’s supreme audit institution.
2. Support micro assessment process, including documenting and updating the micro assessment plans and liaising with other adopting agencies for micro assessment of shared implementing partners. 
3. Support the office to establish and maintain an effective system for allocating / updating risk ratings that is suitable to guide programme decision-making in relation to modalities for cash transfers, and appropriate assurance and monitoring activities.  Document the office’s approach to determining cash transfer modality. 
4. Document the office’s capacity development plans.
5. Support the assurance planning and monitoring process, including ensuring that the assurance plan is documented and incorporates any planning required for partners shared with other adopting agencies.  Contribute to the development of common assurance tools and processes for coordination of inter-agency assurance activities.
6. Assist in the preparation and oversight of country Long Term Agreements for HACT activities and support.
7. Communicate, as required, status of oversight of resources transferred to partners and HACT implementation in the Office to regional office and HQ.
8. Work with Programme and Operations staff to establish an information / documentation system for HACT related activities and reports, and a database of implementing partners, and ensure that it is maintained, and shared with senior management and office staff as needed.
9. Support senior management in ensuring a consistent approach across programme areas in FACE certification processes.

3. In close consultation with senior managers, contribute to formulation of staff capacity development strategy and plans in relation to HACT, and exercise effective leadership in implementing them, ensuring that Office staff have the basic knowledge and skills to fulfill their responsibilities related to HACT, and training is planned and carried out to fill identified gaps. 

4. Review the findings from micro assessment and assurance activities to identify common weaknesses in financial management, especially of high and significant risk partners, and propose to the Chief of Operations and Deputy Representative capacity development actions that can be undertaken by UNICEF and providing administrative and technical support for their implementation.  Support the preparation of effective tools and materials to guide implementing partners in UNICEF processes.  Contribute to and support the coordination of the capacity development of national partners to understand HACT processes and properly use the FACE form.

5. Support risk management exercises that identify risks for oversight of resources transferred to partners in accordance with HACT, as well as other programme oversight mechanisms established in the country, considering the larger risk picture in the country.  Support the preparation of clear guidelines for how different risks can be mitigated in relation to Programme implementation.

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree in Audit, Business Administration, Management, Economics or other fields related to the work of UNICEF.
• A minimum of 5 years of continuous relevant professional work experience in finance and/or programme management, internal / financial audit.
• Demonstrated experience in grant management oversight approaches
• Audit experience in development agencies or an international organization is a requirement
• Experience in fraud/investigative work.
• UNICEF experience or other UN agency is highly desirable.
• Experience providing training in various cultural settings, especially in a developing country is highly desirable.  
• Familiarity with United Nations and/or government financial management systems required.

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• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of the local working language of the duty station is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

Our core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

This position is classified as “rotational” which means the incumbent is expected to rotate to another duty station upon completion of their tour of duty,

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.