Temporary Appointment - Program Manager Humanitarian Cash Transfers Management Information System (HCT MIS), New York-USA

The purpose of this position is to coordinate the various HCT MIS related work streams to ensure they benefit each other and align with the overall business goals. The work streams include the production of the HCT MIS software, the establishment of processes, roll out training materials and standard operating procedures for deploying the HCT MIS and integrating with Financial Service Providers.

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.

For every child, a Champion

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.

Strategic office context :

UNICEF experience in implementing humanitarian cash transfer (HCT) programmes as well as a recent feasibility assessment have shown that UNICEF requires a Management Information System (MIS) to be able to deliver results for children using HCT in contexts where there is no national MIS available or fit for purpose. From a programme quality assurance and a risk management perspective, a dedicated HCT MIS is needed to comply with UNICEF’s commitment to scale up HCT programming, to be interoperable with other UN agencies’ data system, to contribute to the interagency data hub to which UNICEF has recently committed, and to provide adequate level of risk management. The development of the MIS will be done through a UNICEF led development of specific modules with external vendors (70% of the MIS), and through a partnership with UNHCR to develop joint/shared modules with the UNHCR system ( 30%).

The program manager will provide oversight to the development of the HCT MIS.

How can you make a difference?

Purpose for the job:

Under the supervision of the EMOPS business owner (the Humanitarian Cash Transfer Coordinator), this temporary position will coordinate the various HCT MIS related work streams to ensure they benefit each other and align with the overall business goals. The work streams include the production of the HCT MIS software, the establishment of processes, roll out training materials and standard operating procedures for deploying the HCT MIS and integrating with Financial Service Providers.

The Program Manager will oversee each work stream from inception to closure. This includes planning, designing, gathering and clarifying requirements, scoping, mitigating risks, status report and communication, timelines and budgets management. The HCT MIS program manager coordinates on a regular basis with the ICTD solution architect, the UNHCR business and technical teams and two business analysts (one in ICTD and one in EMOPS) as well as one business focal point in UNICEF Division of Finance Administration and Management (DFAM). Additionally the Program Manager is responsible for the day to day relationship with UNICEF software development vendor; this includes contract management, quality assurance on contract deliverables as well as bilateral and multilateral meeting moderation.  The objective of this position is to meet the HCT MIS development milestones and ensure that the HCT MIS is available and ready for deployment in country offices as per the agreed timeline.

Job organizational context

This temporary position is located in the Office of Emergency Operations (EMOPS) New York, USA.  The incumbent works under the direct supervision of the Humanitarian Cash Transfer Coordinator in the Humanitarian Policy Section and in close collaboration with the internal and external stakeholders mentioned above.

Key Functions, Accountability and related duties/tasks:

• The Program Manager will oversee all interaction and contribution required for the development of the HCT MIS development with all work streams pertaining to the various MIS components.
• The Program Manager organizes and leads on a regular basis (weekly) the project team meeting that is an internal meeting attended by ICTD, DFAM and business representatives.
• The Program Manager organizes and leads the weekly project status meeting between UNICEF vendor and UNICEF internal stakeholders.
• The Program Manager is the main focal point for any MIS related interaction with the UNHCR project team.
• The Program Manager organizes and leads the inputs of UNICEF technical advisory group (composed of the UNICEF Business Relationship Manager, the solution project manager, representatives of UNICEF DFAM, UNICEF Data management and data protection).
• The Program Manager organizes the contribution of the HCT MIS review group composed by staff members in country and regional offices
• The Program Manager is responsible for creating a collaborative environment by guiding process owners and stakeholders to translate business requirements into adequate documentation (e.g.: functional requirements, technical requirments, user stories, etc.) and into a minimum viable product for country offices uptake.
• The Program Manager is responsible to maintain all program management tools (e.g.: Work Plan, Meeting notes, Progress reports, Sharepoint Team Site, Planner, DevOps Boards, etc.) up to date and ensure wide utilization by team members.
• The HCT MIS Program Manager will also ensure that the work streams, including the production of the HCT MIS software are completed within agreed cost, timelines and deliverables.
• The HCT MIS Program Manager will plan and manage the roll out of pilot deployment and training of the HCT MIS in Country Offices in concert with the HCT coordinator.

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

Education:

• Master’s degree in Information Systems Management or Information Technology, Project Management, Computer Science, Business Administration or related field is required. Bachelor's degree complemented with relevant industry certifications and work experience can be considered.

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years of program/project management experience, including with multiple stakeholders
• Experience in business operation environments with a proven track record of interfacing with multiple stakeholders (internal and external) and successful project completion.
• Experience in working with UN agencies (UNICEF experience preferred).
• Knowledge of Humanitarian cash transfers.
• Experience in managing unknowns, and overcoming them with feasible solutions.
• Experience with process modeling and process architecture.
• Experience overseeing software implementation and understanding of business requirements.
• Detailed knowledge of the Project Lifecycle and fluency in project management methodologies.
• Experience collaborating across multiple functions and working with operational subject matter experts, technical resources and architecture teams.
• Excellent communication & presentation skills (written & verbal) across multiple audiences with the ability to influence others while working in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• High motivation, enthusiasm, and dedication to deliver results within strict timeframes.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced matrix environment including managing across multiple geographies, functions & organizations often outside ‘standard’ working hours.
• High proficiency with Microsoft Office, specifically MS Project, Visio, Excel, Sharepoint, Teams, and PowerPoint is required.
• Experience in software development and with systems Integration.
• Knowledge of various ITSM modules (Request, Incident, Problem, Change, Problem, Knowledge, Asset, etc.).

Language Requirement:

Excellent knowledge of English (both spoken and written) is essential.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

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

The functional competencies required for this post are Formulating Strategies and Concepts, Analyzing, Planning and Organizing, Adapting and Responding to change and Relating and Networking.

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.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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

In the selection of its staff, UNICEF is committed to gender balance and diversity without distinction as to race, sex or religion, and without discrimination of persons with disabilities: well qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

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.