Chief Field Office, Fixed- Term, P-5, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh (Not for Bangladeshi Nationals)

Under the broad supervision of the supervisor, and in close coordination with the deputy representative, the chief of field services, and the programme sections, the incumbent is accountable for the coordination, the design, the leadership and managerial guidance of the response to the Rohingya crisis in Cox’s Bazaar (Bangladesh). The incumbent is accountable for programme coordination, and management of all phases of programme formulation, new initiatives, planning, design, implementation and administration of the total programme commitment of the Cox’s Bazaar office with a broad range of projects, consistent with the organization’s goals, strategy, and priorities.

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, empowerment

How can you make a difference?

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

Under the broad supervision of the supervisor, and in close coordination with the deputy representative, the chief of field services, and the programme sections, the incumbent is accountable for the coordination, the design, the leadership and managerial guidance of the response to the Rohingya crisis in Cox’s Bazaar (Bangladesh). The incumbent is accountable for programme coordination, and management of all phases of programme formulation, new initiatives, planning, design, implementation and administration of the total programme commitment of the Cox’s Bazaar office with a broad range of projects, consistent with the organization’s goals, strategy, and priorities.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES and DUTIES & TASKS :

1. Managerial Guidance, Policy Advice and Coordination

• Stay abreast of the political, security, social & economic situation of children in Bangladesh and in the Cox’s Bazar, of the latest development of the emergency situation related to the Rohingya crisis and any other pertinent issues and make recommendation to the Representative/Deputy Representative for appropriate action
• Ensure the achievement of programme and project goals for the Rohingya response and the development of the Cox Bazar district by providing overall leadership and managerial guidance to senior level programme teams on policy direction, work plans and control mechanisms and by monitoring compliance and performance standards, in accordance with Country Programme Recommendations and Country Programme Management Plan, focussed on achievement of UNICEF's Priorities.
• Provide expert technical and policy advice to the Representative on programme strategies, planning and courses of action related to the Cox Bazar field operation; provide authoritative interpretation of guidelines and organizational policy, contributing to the development of new guidelines through the programme cycle.
• Monitors development activities at the international, national, regional and provincial levels. Initiates new approaches and develops methodologies to best meet goals and objectives. Prepare position papers for use in the development of the UNICEF global programme policy.
• Collaboration with National, Regional Advisers and HQ Officers for overall coordination. 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.

2.  Knowledge management

• Ensure that area/country programmes are supported by knowledge management through data collection and analysis, complete and accurate reporting as well as participation in the Programme Knowledge Network system of  "lessons learned" and other corporate-level databases; participate in information exchange through donor and media visits as well as in the development of training and orientation material.

3. Country Programme Development and Management

• Supervises and coordinate the preparation/updating of the Situation Analysis for children in Cox’s Bazar for programme development. Enhance the identification/review of critical intervention points and measures by administering a consistent and transparent monitoring system; providing accurate, updated analysis of local level socio-political-economic trends and their implications for ongoing programmes and projects.
• Lead program planning, implementation and monitoring of the UNICEF Cox Bazar Office in response to the Rohingya crisis and support to the host community with a special attention on Gender, Disability, Equity & Disparity reduction. Ensure strong interaction between the various sections for better interaction. Coordinate HACT assurance plan. Contribute to and participate in various internal and external statutory meetings for the implementation of the Bangladesh Country program
• Formulates programme goals and objectives and develops strategies and implementation frameworks. Coordinates inputs for the preparation of the Joint Response Plan, the Country Programme Recommendations, and related documentation.  Analyzes, evaluates and consolidates programme documentation. Prepare program recommendations for inclusion in formal programme documentation, and new approaches, methods and practices.
• Coordinate or prepare programme work plans and changes as required. Provide leadership and guidance in meeting objectives.
• Supports overall management through participation in management meetings within the office, to review major office operations, human resources, programme and administrative budget management.                          

4.  Rights-Based and Results-Based Programme Management Approach

• Adopt rights-based programmes approach in the formulation of programme goals and objectives and development of strategies and implementation frameworks. Bring coherence, synergy and added value to the programming planning and design processes using a results-based management approach to programme planning and design.
• Prepare and submit viable recommendations on project implementation, alternative approaches, and optimal utilization of resources that contribute effectively to the fulfilment of the rights of children and women, and recommendations on programme new initiatives and management issues to ensure achievement of stated objectives.

5. Optimum Use Of Program Funds

• Oversee and establish programme work plans and monitor progress and compliance.  Approve and monitor the overall allocation and disbursement of programme funds, making sure that funds are properly allocated, effectively utilized, monitored and liquidated. Take appropriate actions to optimize use of programme funds. Ensure programme efficiency and delivery through a rigorous and transparent approach to programme planning, monitoring and evaluation.

6. Programme Monitoring and Evaluations

• Undertakes field visits to monitor and assess programme implementation and decides on required corrective action.
• Carry out a rigorous and transparent approach to evaluation and coordinate the major programme evaluation exercises in consultation with the Representative, the Operations Officer, the Evaluation Officer and others to improve efficiency and quality of programme delivery. Participate in annual sector review meetings with government counterparts.  Ensure the timely preparation of annual program status reports.

7.  Local Capacity Building/Sustainability

• Assists government authorities to plan and organize training programmes for the purpose of capacity building and programme sustainability. Ensure the building or reinforcing of the commitment and institutional capacities of the national and local partners, taking a strategic approach to the identification of these partners and partnerships.

8. Coordinate communication activities, field visits and resource mobilization activities:

• Enhance UNICEF external relations and visibility and promote UNICEF mandate and work with the government partners, media, donors, Natcoms, other UN agencies, religious groups, civil society and NGO partners to strengthen the collaboration and coordination. Improve UNICEF ability to collect and disseminate qualitative/quantitative information on programme/project activities.
• Facilitate the visits of Government, Natcoms and private sector donors, media, and actively contribute to attract new funding for programme sustainability and improve UNICEF visibility.

9. Rights Perspective and Advocacy at the District, Community and Family Levels

• Approaches policy analysis from a children's and women's rights perspective and advocacy at the government, community and family levels for elevating credibility in national and international policy debates. Promote the organization goals of UNICEF through advocacy and policy dialogue. 

10.  Advocacy, Communication and Networking through Partnership and Collaboration

• Promote and ensure the inclusion of children and the obligations of various actors to meet their rights in international debates, in UNSDCF, in cross-sectoral national policies in legal reforms, in the development of the JRP, in budgetary decisions, in poverty reduction strategies, in sector-wide approaches and individual programmes and projects. Collaborates with Communication and Programme Communication Officers on strategies for information and social mobilization.
• Promote partnership and collaboration with internal and external counterparts, including those of the UN and national 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 linkage to the Regional Programme Knowledge Network to ensure the availability of current and accurate programme data.
• Represent UNICEF in meetings with high level and senior government officials as well as multi-lateral, bi-lateral agencies and NGO's to conduct programme advocacy and negotiations, identify strategic alliances and influence policy development to facilitate achievement of programme goals and objectives. Participate in international/national meetings and workshops.
• Represent UNICEF in coordination meetings with ISCG, Government officials donors, media, bi and multilateral agencies and NGOs to support development of the Joint Response Plan, the CxB district plan, conduct emergency program advocacy, implementation and monitoring, resources mobilization and contribute in negotiate strategic alliances aiming to the realization of the program objectives to respond to the  Rohingya crisis and support to the host communities.

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

• Advanced university degree in Social Sciences, International Relations, Government, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or other relevant disciplines.
• Ten years of relevant professional work experience.
• International and developing country work experience and field work experience.
• Background/familiarity with Emergency.
• Fluency in English is required and knowledge of another official UN language is considered as an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The functional competencies required for this post are...

• Analytical and Conceptual Thinking  [ III ]                     
• Judgment    [ III ]      
• Managing Resources   [ III ]                                          
• Building Trust    [ III ]                      
• Communication   [ III ]                                                    
• Flexibility   [ III ]
• Influence  [ III ]                                                                 
• Team Leadership   [ III ]          
• Decisiveness     [ III ]         
• Planning, Setting Standards, and Monitoring Work  [ III ]

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 be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

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.