Implementing Partnership Management Specialist (HACT),NOC, Accra, Ghana #104646

UNICEF Ghana is seeking the services of a very committed and experienced professional to provide technical and administrative support to ensure quality and effective and efficient management of implementing partnerships in the country office in line with respective operational policies and procedures and mainstreaming of risk based implementing partnership management at the Ghana Country Office. Tasks also include quality assurance, analysis, monitoring and reporting and Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building Incumbent will be on a Fixed Term Appointment for two years and will be based in Accra. This position is for nationals, thus, only Ghanaian candidates will be considered.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. And we never give up.

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. UNICEF works in partnership with a wide range of implementing partners, both government and CSO partners, to deliver results for children across the globe. Effective implementing partnership management is therefore essential for ensuring that resources are utilized as intended and results are being achieved.

UNICEF has adopted the Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT) as an approach for obtaining assurance that results have been achieved in line with resource utilization. It aims at managing risk related to cash transfers made to implementing partners in support of programme implementation, reducing partner transaction costs and allowing progressive use of national systems for management and accountability of results and resources

How can you make a difference?

As the Implementing Partnership Management Specialist, you will be responsible for providing technical and administrative support to ensure quality and effective and efficient management of implementing partnerships in the country office in line with respective operational policies and procedures and mainstreaming of risk based implementing partnership management at the CO level.

Note: This is a Fixed Term Appointment for two years and based in Accra.  This position is for nationals, thus, only Ghanaian

You are expected to achieve the following key results;

Support to implementing 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 relevant policies, procedures and guidelines, including the CSO Procedure and guidance on work plans.
• Provide technical and administrative support in the implementation of HACT in line with the HACT policy and procedure and other relevant organizational policies, procedures and guidelines, including the DFAM Policy 5: Cash Disbursements Supplement 3-Cash Transfers (HACT). This includes coordinating the preparation of CO annual assessments and assurance plan, facilitating its execution and coordinating with other adopting agencies as appropriate.

Coordinate with and/or seek technical support of the Regional Office on implementation of the CSO and HACT procedures.

Quality assurance

• Contribute to the design of and implement quality assurance strategies/processes for the implementation of the CSO procedure. This includes processes to ensure that implementing partners are selected and assessed in accordance with the CSO procedure and that all documentation is in line with corporate standards as stipulated in the CSO procedure.

Contribute to the design of and implement quality assurance strategies/processes to ensure that HACT assessments and assurance activities are undertaken in accordance with corporate terms of reference and guidance and that appropriate follow-up action and escalation steps are taken as needed.

Analysis, monitoring and reporting

• Analyze and monitor cash transfers at the country office level, paying particular attention to outstanding direct cash transfers more than 6 months.
• 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.
• Monitor internal country office processes for formalizing implementing partnerships with CSOs to ensure that corporate timelines are adhered to, especially in humanitarian responses.

Prepare reports for CMT and Regional Office as may be required

Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Serve as the custodian of all implementing partnership documentation such as assessment and assurance reports, PCAs, SSFAs and programme documents, 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 CO staff are knowledgeable and comply with the HACT and CSO procedures and other relevant corporate policies, procedures and guidance that impact on implementing partnership management
• Design and implement/facilitate capacity building strategy/initiatives for staff of implementing partners to ensure that they are knowledgeable on all aspects of partnering with UNICEF, with particular emphasis on the HACT and CSO procedures.

Participate in country office ERM exercises to ensure that risks for implementing partnership management are identified and mitigation measures put in place.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Development studies, International Development, Programme/Project Management Business Administration, Financial Management, Economics. Auditing or other relevant field is required.
• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in programme/project development and management or finance at the national level some of which with the UN and/or in a developing country is required. Some international experience is an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The functional competencies required for this post are; Formulating Strategies and Concepts, Analyzing, Relating and Networking, Deciding and Initiating Action and Applying Technical Expertise

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

Remarks:

Qualified female candidate are strongly encouraged to apply.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.