Project Coordinator (Deputy Team Leader ECT Risks and Quality Assurance), (P-5), UNICEF Yemen based in Amman

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, a champion

At UNICEF Yemen, we are focusing on delivering lifesaving services and supplies for the most vulnerable children and their families. The conflict in Yemen has taken a serious toll on civilians and has exacerbated pre-crisis humanitarian needs. Millions of Yemenis are facing severe food insecurity and malnutrition. The conflict has also destroyed infrastructure and damaged public services. A key achievement of UNICEF Yemen has been to scale-up and improve assistance where it is most needed. We have built mobile health and nutrition teams, are tackling cholera and malnutrition, and are addressing challenges in education, child protection, and overall humanitarian response. Challenges remain, though, and we need dynamic and results-driven people to join our team and help us make sure every child has a champion.

How can you make a difference? 

Following an agreement between the World Bank and UNICEF to implement an ’Emergency Cash Transfers (ECT) for Social Welfare Fund (SWF) Beneficiaries’ project that would target 1.5 million beneficiary cases or almost 8 million people across all 22 governorates of Yemen with a throughput estimated at over $200 million, the Yemen Country Office (YCO) is looking for a Deputy Project Coordinator to provide support to the Team Leader of the project for daily coordination of the technical components of the delivery mechanism. Under the direct guidance of Senior Project Coordinator (ECT Team Leader), the incumbent is responsible for ensuring that the ECT project components inclusive of the project sites, the outreach mechanism are provided daily support for decision making around quality assurance and compliance to the project Operations Manual and UNICEF's policies and procedures. There are tens of thousands of grievances from each payment cycle, hundreds of frauds and other daily issues arising from implementation including security incidents and issues. The incumbent will be responsible to ensure that there is a decision making mechanism that caters for these issues on a daily basis.

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Project Coordinator (ECT Team-Leader), the Deputy Project Coordinator, P-5 (ECT Risks and Quality Assurance):

• Is accountable for efficient management of the daily operations centre for the emergency cash transfer project including field outreach and coordination; and contract management of the technical assistance agency responsible for technical support to project delivery.
• Ensures that all beneficiary grievances that require decision from UNICEF are reviewed and acted upon in line with the project parameters and principles.
• Ensures that all presumed cases of fraud are followed up and acted upon.
• Establishes and monitors quality assurance, risk management and metrics for the project. This also includes review and streamlining of operational procedures, project procedures and maintaining up to date security risks and mitigation measures.
• Supervises the technical coordination mechanisms and makes recommendations to the Team Leader for changes in project management parameters as required.
• Represents the Team Leader in project implementation process and improvement. This will require travels to Yemen as required.
• Chairs the National Technical Working Committee Meetings.
• Reviews and approves processes that will ensure design and data integrity; these include software and hardware in compliance with all UNICEF and international best practices and standards. 
• Acts as the focal point for internal and external audits of project design and risks.
• Liaises with Chief of field offices to ensure implementation progress, challenges, access and risk issues are documented and actions followed up.
• Acts as the focal point for project coordination matters of operational nature with the Regional and Country Offices.

Qualification of Successful Candidate

• Education: An advanced university degree in Social Sciences, International Relations, Government, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or other relevant disciplines.
• Work Experience: Ten years of relevant professional work experience. International and developing country work experience and field work experience. Background/familiarity with Emergency. Experience/familiarity with emergency and security. Experience in cash transfer programmes is an asset.
• Language Proficiency: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Arabic 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.

Knowledge and Skills: 

• Knowledge of emergency cash transfer operational requirements, contracting implications and partnerships, financial accountabilities, risk management and quality assurance.
• Background in Operations, fraud prevention/management, internal control mechanisms and setting up operational systems is a very strong advantage.
• Knowledge of programme management, methodology and practical application.
• Knowledge, skills and leadership for managing teams, budgets and project execution.
• Knowledge of rights-based and results-based management and programming approach in UNICEF.
• Knowledge of UNICEF emergency programme policies, goals, strategies, approaches and procedures.
• Confidentiality, tact, diplomacy and good interpersonal skills are essential.
• Methodology of programme/project management.
• UNICEF programmatic goals, visions, positions, policies and strategies.
• Knowledge of global human rights issues, specifically relating to children and women, and the current UNICEF position and approaches.
• UNICEF policies and strategy to address on national and international issues, particularly relating to conflicts, natural disasters, and recovery.
• UNICEF emergency programme policies, goals, strategies and approaches.

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

Remarks

* The successful candidate for this emergency recruitment MUST be available to commence work within 31 days of receiving an offer.

* Employment is conditional upon receipt of medical clearance, any clearance required, the grant of a visa, and completion of any other pre-employment criteria that UNICEF may establish. Candidates may not be further considered or offers of employment may be withdrawn if these conditions are unlikely to be met before the date for commencement of service.