Regional Chief of Programme & Planning (P-5), #17367, Panama City - Panama LAC Regional Office

You are a committed programme leader and facilitator who is capable and willing to contribute to a process of strategic repositioning of LAC Region through a LACR Office that is fit for purpose.

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, a better future

You are a committed programme leader and facilitator who is capable and willing to contribute to a process of strategic repositioning of LAC Region through a LACR Office that is fit for purpose.

How can you make a difference? 

Under the Supervision of the Deputy Regional Director, LAC-RO, the overall responsibilities of this position are:

To provide programme related technical leadership, management advice, and support throughout the region and the incumbent will be responsible for the oversight, quality assurance, technical assistance and capacity building for country offices programme design, planning, monitoring, evaluation and reporting in the LAC Region. The incumbent will facilitate application and adaptation of UNICEF policies, directives and standards for programme documents in close collaboration with relevant HQs Divisions/Offices counterparts. Moreover, the incumbent will be responsible for the coordination and strengthening of UNICEF contributions to UN Coherence/UNDAF agenda at regional level through work with the R-UNDG LACRO Programme Support Group and counterparts in regional offices of other UN agencies. The role will work closely with Regional Director, Deputy Regional Director and Regional Chief Operations to ensure Regional Office functions and accountabilities are adequately planned, monitored and reported.

Key End-Results

1. Programme related policies, strategies, approaches and guidelines for the LACR region are developed, advocated and disseminated; Regional Director and Deputy Regional Director, other Regional Advisors and RO staff, Country Office Representatives, Deputy Representatives, PM&E and COs staff are advised.

2. Up-to-date technical expertise on UNICEF programming and UN Coherence/UNDAF is maintained, expanded, and is well disseminated throughout the LACR Region, and shared with the other Advisors and regional/national institutions and partners.

3. The programming and planning capacities of Country Office and Regional Office staff and national partners are strengthened and continually built through an effective capacity development programme, enabling them to engage in and lead child centred programmes design, development, implementation, monitoring/evaluation and management.

4. Coordinate technical guidance, support for and quality assurance of country/regional assessments, programme performance monitoring and evaluation is provided to ensure that accurate, coherent and reliable evidence/information on progress towards achieving results for LACR children is collected, analyzed and reported

5. Coordination to facilitate the co-creation, harmonization and implementation of programme regional vision and strategies is formed in collaboration with management at country, regional, and HQ levels.  Guidance and support are provided to forge strategic alliances with national and regional partners and donors (high level and senior government officials, UN agencies, multi-bilateral agencies, CSOs/NGOs) to influence programme strategies and plans.

6. Effective communication, partnerships, representation and networking, within and outside UNICEF, are forged in the development of harmonized programme interventions and expansion of programmes and networks, in order to promote UNICEF's goals and objectives.

7. Emergency Preparedness and Response: Assists in monitoring and assessing the emergency preparedness plan and advises on adapting the emergency preparedness and response plan as necessary.

8. Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT): Provide technical assistance to country offices in complying with the HACT Framework and UNICEF policies and procedures. Guide, advice and support country offices in the development of country level quality assurance plans and HACT processes related to work plans, DCTs, PCAs and in an integrated fashion linking operations and programme capacities.

Nature of the Position

• Nature of work is primarily of an advisory role, providing the Regional Director and the Deputy Regional Director as well as Country Representatives and other managers with authoritative policy advice and cutting edge technical expertise.
  
  
• The work typically requires developing innovative approaches, new techniques or contributing to policy development/change, and establishing important guidelines. As a functional team leader, the nature of work focuses on facilitation, guidance, collaboration and coordination. As a technical specialist and expert, the Regional Adviser provides oversight and/or guides and supports on planning, integrating and coordinating professional work of intricate, broad, often, of conflicting demands arising from the region. The programme results affect ultimately credibility, reputation and success of programme/sectoral group or the organization.
  
  
• The position has significant freedom to innovate in terms of regional technical sector strategy and policy with direct influence on regional programmes and key impact on the development of corporate strategies and policies for the sector.  The Regional Adviser's expert advice and knowledge sharing/dissemination play a key role in decision-making by the Regional Director and Country Representatives.
  
  
• As primary technical expert in the field, the Regional Advisor's effectiveness as an advocate and trusted counterpart substantially affects UNICEF's image as a reliable and creative partner in the Region.
  
  
• Advocate effectively for resources and/or mobilize resources through compelling representation.  Serve as a catalyst in the expansion and harmonization of programme initiatives by other international or bi-lateral development partners.
  
  
• The scope of the Regional Adviser's impact extends beyond programme design and implementation to affect the regional strategies and policies in a sector. The Regional Adviser's policy and strategy recommendations and technical decisions impact on programme priorities and strategies and UNICEF's cooperation with other partners and agencies.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• Education
  • An advanced university degree in social sciences, or other disciplines of the specialized technical areas is required.

• Work Experience
  • A minimum of eight (8) years of relevant experience, at the international level is required. Previous hands-on experience in Programme Planning, Monitoring and/or Evaluation within the UN and/or development field, is desirable. Work experience in emergencies is considered an asset.
  • Previous hands on experience In a supervisory/managerial capacity is required.
    
    

• Language Proficiency
  • Fluency in English and Spanish required. Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese is an asset.
    
    

For every Child, you demonstrate…

The successful candidate should demonstrate alignment with UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

Remarks: