HACT Specialist, NOC, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (For Nationals ONLY)

The HACT Specialist provides supports in the oversight, quality assurance and technical support to the management of implementing partners with focus on the full compliance with the Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfer (HACT) and other respective operational policies and procedures such as UNICEF’s guideline on working with civil society organizations, for risk-based implementing partnership management.

HACT Specialist, NOC, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (Fixed Term) 

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.

Under the supervision of the Deputy Representative, the HACT Specialist provides supports in the oversight, quality assurance and technical support to the management of implementing partners with focus on the full compliance with the Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfer (HACT) and other respective operational policies and procedures such as UNICEF’s guideline on working with civil society organizations, for risk-based implementing partnership management. The post will supervise two programme assistants (HACT) and work in a close coordination with the Operations section.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Support to HACT planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting
2. Quality assurance of HACT and other policies/procedures on the management of the implementing partners.
3. Analysis, planning, monitoring and reporting for HACT
4. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building of partner
   
   1. Support to partnership management

• Provide technical support to the country office in the formalization of implementing partnerships with government, civil society organization and other implementing partners in line with the Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfer (HACT) and other relevant policies, procedures and guidelines, including the CSO Procedure and guidance on work plans.
• Provide technical and administrative support in all aspects of the implementation of HACT in line with the HACT policy and procedure and other relevant organizational policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Coordinate with other (HACT adopting) UN agencies to facilitate joint planning and execution of HACT assurance activities, and information sharing.

2. Quality assurance

• Contribute to development and monitoring of implementation of CO HACT related SOPs and internal procedures, including for escalation of issues identified through assurance activities.
• Design and implement quality assurance strategies/processes for the implementation of the CSO procedure and HACT implementation.

3.  Analysis, monitoring and reporting

• Using appropriate corporate tools and systems including InSight and e-Tools, report on status of implementation of HACT and identify high risk areas requiring special attention and/or support from the regional office.
• Ensure the systematic use of recommendations from the HACT assurance activities to strengthen the risk-informed partnership management.
• Monitor internal country office processes for formalizing implementing partnerships with CSOs to ensure that corporate timelines are adhered to, especially in humanitarian responses.

4. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Support the roll-out of HACT E-tools in the office.  
• Serve as the custodian of all implementing partnership documentation ensuring that they are adequately circulated in the office and properly archived.
• Design and implement capacity building strategy/initiatives for CO staff to ensure that they are knowledgeable and comply with the HACT and CSO procedures among others.
• Design and implement/facilitate capacity building strategy/initiatives for staff and partners on the HACT and CSO procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: An Advanced University Degree in Development studies, International Development, Programme/Project Management Business Administration, Financial Management, Economics, Auditing or other relevant field is required.

Experience: A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in programme/project development and management, monitoring or finance at the national and international level some of which with the UN and/or in a developing country is required. Experience in or knowledge on the execution of HACT at country level is an asset.

Language requirements: Fluency in English and French is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset.