Programme Specialist (Planning), P-4, Director's Office/Programme Division, New York Headquarters, # 103433

The Programme Specialist (Planning) works within the Planning, Performance Management and Programme Coordination Team in the Director’s Office, and liaises/ facilitates effective collaboration on a range of issues.

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, save lives

UNICEF is mandated by UN General Assembly to advocate the protection of children's right, to help meet their basis needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. To achieve this UNICEF generates the latest evidence on children and works with governments and the public to ensure children receive the services they need, that their voices are heard, and that there is a progressive realization of their rights. Specially, with partners, including governments, non-governmental organizations, civil society actors and the private sector, UNICEF promotes the strengthening of all components of child protection systems - human resources, finances, laws, standards, governance, monitoring and services. Depending on the country context, child protection systems may cut across part of the social welfare, education, health, and security sectors. For more information please visit www.unicef.org.

How can you make a difference?

You will work within the Planning, Performance Management and Programme Coordination Team in the Director’s Office, and liaises/ facilitates effective collaboration on a range of issues.

This function entails working across the Division’s 14 units, and with other Headquarters Divisions and Offices (especially, Office of Innovation, Supply Division, Office of Emergency Programmes (EMOPS), Data Research and Policy (DRP) and Field Results Group (FRG), Regional and Country Offices, as appropriate, on work planning, annual reports preparation, coordination and collaboration, and outcome/progress monitoring of the implementation of the Division’s Office Management Plan and annual work plans, including a learning agenda for emerging programme areas. You will assist the Division's ongoing efforts to strengthen PD’s engagement with the field, working closely with all PD Sections/Units as well as with other HQ Divisions, Regional and Country Offices.

This involves:

1. Planning and Coordination

• Provide coordination and project management support to the Deputy Director related to planning and coordination, information management, and provide inputs to Division’s Management Team and innovation in relation to programmes;
• Provide support in establishment of specific goals, objectives, strategies and implementation plans for the programme business areas using results-based planning terminology and methodology.

2. Project Management

• Contribute to the development of/ planning related to a learning agenda for emerging programme areas (e.g. urbanization, systems strengthening, and public health emergencies);
• In collaboration with the Innovation Office and the Information and Communication Technology Division, as well as Regional and Country Offices, serve as the central focal point, manage and coordinate integration of innovation into programmes, including scale up of RapidPro, a proven tool for real time data at country level.

3. Monitoring and Reporting

• Coordinate and facilitate collaboration across the Division’s 14 business units and with other Divisions and Offices, as required, which includes work planning, skills development, standard setting and outcome/progress monitoring related to the implementation of the Division’s Office Management Plan (2018-2021) and annual work plans, e.g. through the Programme Planning, Operations, and Management Team (PROMT) meetings, mid-year and end-year reviews;

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Business Administration, Social Sciences, Statistics, International Development policy development and planning or other relevant field(s) is required.
• A minimum of eight (8) years of professional experience at the national and international levels, in programme development and management, with emphasis on strategic planning, monitoring reporting of social development programmes or other relevant field(s) is required
• Knowledge of UNICEF’s rules and procedures is an asset.
• Familiarity with other UN agencies and other International Development Organization is an asset.
• Fluency in English (written & verbal) is required. Knowledge of an additional UN Language (French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish) is considered 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. To view our competency framework, please click here.

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.