Programme Officer (Social Protection), NOB, Banjul, The Gambia #00100497

Vacancy announcement for the position of Programme Officer(Social Protection) NOB, Banjul, The Gambia #00100497

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, [insert tagline]

[Include information about the country/specific programme. Ideally include a link to a video]

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does in programs, 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 favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions of her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society's most disadvantaged citizen's addressing inequity not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill 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.

How can you make a difference?
[Insert purpose of post and bullet points on main activities]

The Social Protection Officer will be responsible for effective engagement with the national implementing agencies to support and monitoring the implementation of social protection  programming. The Program Officer will have very strong networks and solid day-to-day relationships with the National Assembly, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, the National Nutrition Agency (NaNA) and Department of Social Welfare of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (DSW) to ensure that Social Protection programmes are implemented to the highest standards  and to drive the COs social inclusion agenda. The position also will need to work in close collaboration with other sections in the UNICEF office to drive the social inclusion agenda such Financing for Children (F4C) and policy level work with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, Department of Social Welfare and the National Assembly.   

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

Within the delegated authority and under the given organizational set-up, the incumbent may be assigned the primarily, shared, or contributory accountabilities for all or part of the following areas of major duties and key end-results.

1. Effective Implementation of UNICEF Social protection programming.

Under the guidance of the Deputy Representative, provide effective technical support for the effective implementation of social protection programing including support to the NaNA and DSW for the operation and implementation of the BReST in the areas of selection of districts and communities, targeting process, communication material/strategy, enrolment process, payment, reconciliation and monitoring, among others.

2. Compliance to Project Guidelines and Requirements

Supports Implementing Partners and ensure the programme and donor guidelines and requirements are adequately designed and implemented. Ensure that any assistance needed by partners to effectively administer the programme is provided on time and areas of capacity needs are accessed and support provided in consultation with supervisor and the technical team of UNICEF. 

3. Effective Management of Beneficiary Data for Planning and for Evaluation Purposes

Provides assistance to partners for the management of programme beneficiary's data and ensures that the data is readily made available for planning and adjustment purposes as may be required by UNICEF and other stakeholders. Collaborates with the UNICEF P.M&E focal points in providing data that might be required for evaluation/monitoring purposes. Data management needs should be accessed with appropriate support sought or provided.

4. Effective Advocacy and Communication on UNICEF's Social Protection agenda.

Support the design and implementation of a communication and information strategy to accompany programming roll-out. Work closely with the Communication Specialist of UNICEF in the implementation of Communication and Visibility planning.  Drive advocacy for the adoption of social protection models in The Gambia and liaise with decision makers to achieve the above.

5. Planning and Effective Monitoring of the Programme  

Participates in field activities to ensure close monitoring of programming activities and submit monitoring reports to supervisor.

Summary of key duties/tasks:

1. Support implementing partners (to ensure the adequate implementation of the Social Protection programming. Identify areas of administrative, financial and logistics support and act accordingly.
2. Act as an advocate and champion for the adoption of social protection in The Gambia.
3. Liaise with Ministries and National Assembly to advocate at policy level for investment in Social protection programming.
4. Build bodies of evidence to support policy decisions of the above.
5. All documents and guidelines of the social protection programming are effectively followed by UNICEF and partners and complied to and in accordance with donor policies and contractual obligations.  
6. Support government in ensuring that data on selected beneficiaries is properly managed and readily available for effective planning, adjustment and for evaluation purposes.
7. Support UNICEF to effectively advocate and communicate to the relevant stakeholders and policy makers on the objectives of social protection programming.
8. Work and support with the UNICEF team to plan, implement and administer programmes.
9. Ensure funds are delivered to the partners in a timely manner following UNICEF's Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfer (HACT) procedures to ensure regular and predictable delivery of the cash transfer to selected beneficiaries.
10. To support the definition of the operational aspects of the social protection programming and the revision of all guiding documents (e.g. Operational Manual, Programme Document, Annual Work Plans, Building Capacity Plans, Communication Strategies, etc.).
11. To support the operationalization of social protection programming, planning and monitoring and to support periodic evaluation.
12. Knowledge generation and sharing on the social protection programming at regional, national and local levels.
13. To undertake monitoring activities and produce periodic reports in compliance with donor contractual requirements. 

 Please see attached Job Description for full details of this advertisement :  JD Social Protection Officer NOB_RL.doc

For details on the salary attached to the post please visit UN salaries site at: http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/salaries/gambia.htm   and view under “National Officer Category”  under Level “B” Step 1.

To qualify as a/an [champion or advocate] for every child you will have…

• Education: Advanced University degree in project management or equivalent background, social development, development studies or other relevant disciplines.

• Experience:  Five years of relevant professional work experience in project management and social development work (preferably cash transfer, nutrition and livelihoods enhancement)
• Language requirement: Fluency in English and another UN language. Fluency in local language(s) 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.

Functional competencies: Formulating Strategies and Concepts [ I ]; Analyzing  [ II ] Applying Technical Expertise [ II ] Planning and Organizing  [ II ] 

Core Competencies: Communication [ I ], Working with People[ II ]; Drive for Result  [ I ]

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