Chief Field Operations, P-5 , Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

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

In spite of its vast physical size and limitless natural resources, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranking 176th out of 188 countries in the 2015 human development report. Child poverty is widespread, particularly in conflict-affected and hard-to reach areas. According to a recent UNICEF study, 80 percent of children aged zero to 15 years old experience at least two major child rights deprivations. Despite sustained growth in recent years, the size of DRC’s economy remains far too small to provide enough government revenue to meet the basic needs of the population, children in particular. Since 2016, political instability, the persistence of conflicts in Eastern DRC and a sharp fall in global commodity prices have been aggravating factors.

DRC is one of the over 190 countries and territories around the World where UNICEF works to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in a child’s path.

How can you make a difference?

Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Representative, Kinshasa, DRC, the Chief Field Operations will be accountable for leadership and overall management of the field offices. 

Lead the programme/project formulation, design, planning and management, the establishment of strategic partnerships with Government institutions and civil society, the effective engagement in social policy dialogue with the provincial Government for programme development, advocating for increased public resource allocation and budgeting towards the social sector and sustainable decentralization of social services and local capacity building in support of the goal of universal coverage of essential social services and the creation of a protective environment for children, focusing on the achievement of UNICEF's Organizational priorities.

The incumbent will supervise the implementation of multiple projects in targeting locations aiming in addressing the priority needs of the population and create a positive environment for sustainable development of the social services, in close partnership with the Provincial authorities.

Representation and Advocacy undertaken to ensure effective leadership and UNICEF Representation

• Establishes and maintains contact with the provincial decision- and policy-makers, keeps them informed of UNICEF's mission, goals and strategies, with the aim to establish children and women as the highest priority constituents.
• Identifies problems, needs and opportunities, seeks solutions and provides advice on matters relating to the well-being of children and women. 
• Provide public information on UNICEF-supported programmes to create greater public awareness about the needs of children and women in the area and an adequate visibility of the UNICEF intervention in south Kivu. Facilitate field visits of UNICEF donors and media visitors as required.

Development and Implementation of projects

• Based on a thorough analysis of the situation of the children and women in field offices, enhance effective inter-sectoral planning, development and management by leading, guiding, coordinating and supporting the timely development of projects aiming at improving the humanitarian condition of the children and Women in DRC, as well as improving the accessibility and quality of the social services. 
• Takes primary responsibility for the development of the multi-sectoral work plan and technical decisions as well as for programme management, implementation and monitoring of assigned sectoral activity, in compliance with the defined programme strategies and approaches.
• Projects well documented and ready for evidence based advocacy and possible replication & dissemination.

Knowledge Management for Programmes

• Ensure that local programmes are supported by knowledge management through data collection and analysis, complete and accurate reporting as well as participation in the Programme Knowledge Network system of "lessons learned" and other corporate-level databases.
• Participate in information exchange through donor and media visits as well as in the development of training and orientation material.

Programme Development and Management

• Identify critical intervention points and measures by a consistent monitoring system; analyse local socio-political-economic trends and their implications for ongoing programmes and projects.
• Prepare programme work plans as required. Prepare program recommendations for inclusion in formal programme documentation, and new approaches, methods and practices.
• Establishes programme workplans, monitors compliance and provides training, support and guidance to the programme team in order to meet objectives.

Optimum Use of Program Funds

• Establish and supervise programme work plans and monitor progress and compliance.  Monitor the dedicated allocation and disbursement of programme funds, making sure that funds are properly coordinated, monitored and liquidated. Take appropriate actions to optimize use of programme funds. Ensure programme efficiency and delivery through a rigorous and transparent approach to programme planning, monitoring and evaluation.

Programme Monitoring and Evaluations

• Undertakes field visits to monitor and assess programme implementation and decides on required corrective action.
• Carry out a rigorous and transparent approach to evaluation and participate programme evaluation exercises to improve efficiency and quality of programme delivery. Participate in annual sector review meetings with government counterparts.  Ensure the timely preparation of annual program status reports.

Rights-Based and Results-Based Programme Management Approach

• Adopt rights-based programmes approach in the formulation of goals and objectives and development of strategies and implementation frameworks. Formulate consistent and effective planning, design, implementation, monitoring and/or evaluation of programmes and projects. Bring coherence, synergy and added value to the programming planning and design processes using a results-based management approach to programme planning and design.
• Prepare and submit viable recommendations on project implementation, alternative approaches, and optimal utilization of resources that contribute effectively to the fulfilment of the rights of children and women, and recommendations on programme, new initiatives and management issues to ensure achievement of stated objectives.

Local Capacity Building/Sustainability

• Provide government authorities with technical supports and guidance to plan and organize training programmes for the purpose of capacity building and programme sustainability.
• Ensure the building and reinforcing of the commitment and institutional capacities of the local partners starting with taking a strategic approach to the identification of these partners and partnerships.

Rights Perspective and Advocacy at the Provincial, District Community and Family Levels

• Conduct policy analysis from a children's and women's rights perspective and advocacy at the local, community and family levels for elevating credibility in policy debates. Promote the organization goals of UNICEF through active advocacy and communication.

Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration

• Develop partnership and collaboration with internal and external counterparts, including those of the UN and national partners, in order to improve the ability to collect and disseminate development data and information, exchange information on programme/project status and implementation and movement/distribution of supplies.
• Establish and maintain sound internal controls supportive of programming endeavors and to coordinate financial and supply management requirements and accountability.

Qualifications of successful candidate...

• Education: Advanced university degree in Social Sciences, International Relations, Government, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or other relevant disciplines, with specialized training in conflict resolution. *A Bachelor degree in conjunction with additional years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced university degree.
• Experience: Ten (10) years of relevant professional work experience.  Developing country work experience (for IP) or field work experience (for NO) Background / familiarity with Emergency. Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergencies highly desirable.
• Language: Fluency in French and English is required.  Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language 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.

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.