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Programme Specialist (Management for Results), P-4, Panama City, Panama - LAC-RO, #90695

Panamá

  • Organization: UNICEF - United Nations Children’s Fund
  • Location: Panamá
  • Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Accounting (Audit, Controlling)
    • Monitoring and Evaluation
    • Planning
    • Statistics and Monitoring
    • Project and Programme Management
  • Closing Date: Closed

Programme Specialist (Management for Results) P-4 for UNICEF's Regional Office in Latin America and Caribbean located in Panama City, Panama. The Programme Specialist (Management for Results) supports and advises the Regional Chief of Programme & Planning, providing oversight, quality assurance and technical assistance to 24 country offices in the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) in the application of Management for Results.

For every child, a geographically mobile & diverse workforce

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.

Under the supervision of the Regional Chief of Programme & Planning, the Programme Specialist (Management for Results) will provide oversight, quality assurance and technical assistance to 24 country offices in the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) in the application of Management for Results, especially the use of strategies and measure the effectivity of these into deliver results for children, through advice and support in preparation of (annual) management plans, (annual) workplans, analysis of funding requirements, implementation of HACT, Implementing Partner Management (including programme cooperation agreements), monitoring and reporting on results in institutional systems (results assessment module, and others). The Programme Specialist (Management for Results) will also provide oversight, quality assurance and technical support to compliance of country offices with organisation requirement related to Management for Results, as monitored through institutional systems and performance dashboards. The Specialist will also provide quality assurance to all request of allocation of funds from the COs and ROs in the ACT tracker to ensure appropriate coding and compliance with approved ceilings. 

The Programme Specialist (Management for Results) will also be the section focal point for all planning related processes for the planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting required for all sections in the regional office (including work planning, budget allocation and monitoring, periodic programme reviews, quality assurance of planning related documents, application of HACT, Implementing Partner Management reporting in institutional systems, donor reporting).

As part of the preparedness and response to humanitarian and emergency, the Specialist will provide technical support to COs in the preparation and review of programme and budgetary structure according to existing guidance and needs.

How can you make a difference? 

1.      Quality assurance, technical assistance and oversight to management for results of UNICEF supported country programmes in Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Ensure adequate compliance with implementation of all programme guidance, including on management for results, at UNICEF regional office and UNICEF country office levels through data collection and analysis, complete and accurate reporting as well as participation regional network. Tasks include:
  1. Provide technical assistance to country offices in the preparation of country programmes (CPDs), country programme management plans (CPMP), annual workplans and annual management plans, using the most recent guidance for these processes. Provide quality assurance of such documents
  2. Provide technical assistance and quality assurance to country offices in the design of programme theories of change and results frameworks and monitoring for results (programme monitoring)
  3. Contribute to consolidated results monitoring and reporting through the application of selected standard indicators for country programmes
  4. Provide technical assistance and quality assurance to country offices in the application of results based budgeting, coding for results and budgets and for the allocation of resources through established corporate processes. Analyse funding gaps for country programmes Provide technical assistance and quality assurance to country offices in CPD/CPMP/AMP/AWP preparation and entering into the system, including in RAM, standard indicators, performance indicators for scorecards, etc
  5. Provide technical assistance and quality assurance to country office (annual) reporting process, including the results assessment module, through orientation and the organisation of regional office review processes for country office annual reports. Coordinate the preparation of annual feedback letters to country offices
  6. Provide oversight, technical assistance and quality assurance for country offices to comply with programme and planning related performance indicators, including those reflected in country office and regional level dashboards, scorecards and other tools for measuring office performance
  • In coordination with headquarters, the regional office and country offices, identify country-specific and/or region-wide training needs of offices in the different functional areas above and recommend a staff learning and development strategy to strengthen staff capacity. Be part of the core team of trainers and resource persons for management for results related training

2.      Planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation of the regional office management plan

  • Provides quality assurance of (annual)programme workplans, monitors compliance and provides training, support and guidance to the programme team in order to meet objectives.
  • Monitor the overall 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. Contribute to increased programme efficiency and effectiveness in relation to streamlining business processes, where possible
  • Monitors budget allocations and implementation of regional office workplans
  • Organises regional office annual review processes and regional office annual reporting (including in the internal Results Assessment Module of the ERP)
  • Prepares relevant programme reports required for management, the Executive Board, donors, budget reviews, programme analysis, annual reports, etc.

3.       Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT)

  • Coordinate technical assistance to country offices in complying with the HACT Framework and UNICEF policies and procedures. Ensure that country offices and regional office are guided, advised and supported in the development of quality assurance plans and HACT processes related to work plans, DCTs, PCAs and in an integrated fashion linking operations and programme capacities. This could include support to coordinating macro-assessments and UN inter-agency approaches to HACT application; development of micro-assessment plans; selection of consultancies to carry out micro-assessments; analysis of macro- and micro-assessment results to determine appropriate follow-up action; development of plans for implementing HACT assurance activities (programme monitoring, financial spot checks, special audits).
  • Keep track of country offices’ and regional office progress towards full, effective and sustainable compliance under the revised HACT Framework and UNICEF policy and procedures at the country level and identification of high risk areas requiring special support. Communicate, as required, status of HACT compliance in the region for HQ use.
  • Organise, support and facilitate country office capacity development activities for staff and IPs on overall HACT compliance and including the different types of assurance activities. This may extend to providing support to the UNCT at country level on HACT compliance as and when requested. Assist in the preparation and oversight of regional and sub-regional LTAs for HACT compliance activities and support. Ensures effective operations that promote gender sensitivity and gender parity.
  • Identify and circulate HACT good practices including at relevant regional management meetings (e.g. Deputy Representatives, Operations Managers / focal points, RMT, etc.) and interact with NYHQ and other agencies at global and regional level in the further development, capacity building and evaluation of HACT policy guidance and operational guidelines.

4.    Risk Assessment, emergency/humanitarian preparedness and response

  • Support offices in conducting risk assessments, developing and implementing action plans for addressing the identified risks and monitoring the status of implementation of such plan. Support to the preparation and monitoring of offices environmental assessment check list as part of CPD/CPMP/AMP preparation. 
  • As RO focal point, ensure that risk assessments from country offices are analysed and considered in the development of the regional workplan and priorities as well as the support required by offices (for country office management plans, annual management plans, among others).
  • Identify technical support required by COs in implementing the audit recommendations in the different areas (e.g. governance, programme management, operations support, PFP, etc.) and coordinate the provision of the regional support in a timely and regular basis.
  • Provide the regional office management and the regional management team with regular feedback of recurrent audit findings within the region, and beyond, and coordinates with functional areas in the definition of mitigation measures for offices in the LAC-region.
  • Provide the regional office’s management and the Regional Management Team with regular monitoring reports on the status of implementation of audit recommendations.
  • Contribute to any preparations for internal- and external audits of the regional office and the implementation of recommendations and observations
  • Provide technical support to COs in the preparation and review of programme and budgetary structure according to existing guidance and needs in order to ensure budget coherence with areas of interventions and results.

5.    Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration

  • Develop partnerships and collaboration with internal and external counterparts, including those of the UN and civil society 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. Ensure the availability of current and accurate programme data.
  • Collaborate with the Operations Section to establish and maintain sound internal controls supportive of programming endeavours and to coordinate financial and supply management requirements and accountability.
  • Maintain close collaboration with Regional Advisers and HQ Officers for effective overall coordination on programmes.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

 Education:

An Advanced University Degree in Social Sciences, International Relations, Government, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or other relevant disciplines is required.

 Experience:

  • A minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible relevant work experience at the national and international levels, in Programme Management, Planning & Implementation, Financial Management, Audit Management and/or Risk Management - undertaking and reporting on financial management (HACT) and/or similar grant management oversight systems used by donor and funding agencies - is required.
  • Solid knowledge of UNICEF programme guidance and internal management processes.
  • Good knowledge of internal management systems (InSight, dashboards, etc.).
  • Previous experience in training professionals in the Context of HACT is considered highly desirable.
  • Previous hands on experience in a supervisory/managerial capacity is required.
  • Work experience in emergency duty station is considered an asset.

 Language Requirements:

Fluency in English and Spanish (verbal and written) are required. Knowledge of another UN Language (French) 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.

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:

A majority of our positions are classified as “rotational,” which means the incumbent is expected to rotate to another duty station upon completion of their tour of duty.

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

This vacancy is now closed.
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