Programme Specialist (Planning), NO-C, New Delhi, India, Post Number 82402

The Programme Specialist (Planning) reports to the Chief Planning, Monitoring and Reporting. The purpose of the post is to provide professional technical, operational and administrative support/advice to advance the mainstreaming and integrating Results-based Management (RBM) in India Country Office that covers the field offices through capacity development, application of RBM principles and standards in all aspects of programme implementation; and to strengthen the quality of planning, monitoring and reporting in the country office. The above could be achieved through coordination for planning, monitoring and reporting processes. The post also support quality assurance mechanism of Country Programme planning exercise with a broad range of functions, including policy and programmatic work to ensure alignment of Country Programme with the Government of India’s priorities and UNICEF Organizational policies and priorities.

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 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. And we never give up!

Click here to learn more about UNICEF:   https://youtube/E1xkXZs0cAQ

For Every Child, AN ADVOCATE:

In an effort to measurably improve UNICEF's ability to deliver better results for children, there is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — 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. 

Organizational Context and Purpose for the job:

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 — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — 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.

Job organizational context:

The post of Programme Specialist (Planning) is located in the Planning, Monitoring and Reporting Unit in the Office of the Deputy Representative, Programmes.

Purpose for the job:

The Programme Specialist (Planning) reports to the Chief Planning, Monitoring and Reporting. The purpose of the post is to provide professional technical, operational and administrative support/advice to advance the mainstreaming and integrating Results-based Management (RBM) in India Country Office that covers the field offices through capacity development, application of RBM principles and standards in all aspects of programme implementation; and to strengthen the quality of planning, monitoring and reporting in the country office. The above could be achieved through coordination for planning, monitoring and reporting processes. The post also support quality assurance mechanism of Country Programme planning exercise with a broad range of functions, including policy and programmatic work to ensure alignment of Country Programme with the Government of India’s priorities and UNICEF Organizational policies and priorities.

Key function, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

Integration of Results Based Management in all aspects of programme implementation, capacity development of staff and partners:

Build staff capacity to integrate Results Based Management (RBM) approaches and actions in India Country Office that covers the entire spectrum of planning, review and reporting processes. Build staff capacity to integrate Results Based Management (RBM) approaches and actions in India Country Office that covers the entire spectrum of planning, review and reporting processes.

Build partner capacity on Results Based Management Approaches (RBM) amongst, governments, civil society organizations and other partners in the field offices through partnership with academia and other institutions. 

Apply RBM principles as foundation for programme implementation from the levels of inputs, to activities and results at the output and outcome levels. 

Setting standards for programme performance planning and monitoring:

Provide technical support, guidance and quality assurance including the identification of capacity development needs for the development, review and reporting of gender responsive, risk-informed country programmes of cooperation. This includes support for the development and review of Situation Analyses, Programme Strategy Notes (PSN), Theories of Change (TOC), Country Programme Documents (CPD), Integrated Results and Resources Frameworks, Costed Evaluation Plans (CEP), Country Office Management Plans (CPMP), Annual Management Plans (AMP), Annual Work Plans (AWP) and Country Office Annual Reports (COAR).

UN Coherence and inter agency collaboration:

Provide guidance and support to the country office for the development of UNSDF and participate in inter-agency meetings as required to support UN coherence initiatives, particularly as they relate to the integration of RBM into Common Country Assessments (CCAs) and UNSDFs in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. 

Networking and partnership building:

Collaborate with Planning Unit in South Asia Regional Office (ROSA)  and key relevant divisions in UNICEF Headquarters to exchange knowledge and ideas and to contribute to global and regional learning focusing on effective approaches, challenges and lessons learned in programme planning, review and reporting.

Collaborate and work closely with government counterparts to ensure that UNICEF country programme planning is aligned and in sync with government priorities. 

Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building:

Contribute to the development/introduction of innovations and new ways of undertaking programme planning, reviews and reporting that promote high quality standards and increase efficiency of these processes. Such innovations and should eventually improve UNICEF's ability to demonstrate results and its commitment to achieve the SDG imperative: 'leave no one behind and to reach those furthest behind first'.

Impact of Results:

The efficiency and efficacy of support provided by the Officer to the CMT and wide range stakeholders contribute to the successful planning and execution of monitoring efforts that in turn result in improved country office and national stakeholders’ development planning, performance and achievement of concrete and sustainable results.

Effective implementation of planning and monitoring mechanisms and systems enhances UNICEF’s capacity and credibility in delivering highly effective programs and concrete and sustainable results that directly improve services to mothers and children in the country.

Competencies and level of proficiency required:

Core Values:  

• Commitment
• Diversity and inclusion
• Integrity 

Core competencies:

• Communication (II)
• Working with people (II)
• Drive for results (II) 

Functional Competencies:

• Formulating strategies and concepts (II)
• Analyzing (II)
• Applying technical expertise ((II)
• Learning and researching (II)
• Planning and organizing (II)

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree) in Social Sciences, International Relations, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or other relevant disciplines.
• Professional and technical knowledge/expertise of Planning and programming approaches, as well as Results-based Management (RBM) principles and application are desirable. 

Experience:

At least five (5) years of progressively responsible professional work experience in programme planning, results-based management, monitoring and evaluation.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English is required.  Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset.

To view our competency framework, please click here. 

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

 Remarks:  

• Selected applicant will have an initial two (2) year fixed-term contract, with possibility of extension, subject to satisfactory performance.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNICEF does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process including application, interview, meeting, traveling, processing, training etc. UNICEF is a nonsmoking working environment. 

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