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, an advocate..
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.
How can you make a difference?
UNICEF Country office in Somali is the lead agency to support the implementation of the Joint Programme towards Somali-led Transition to Social Protection Systems in close collaboration with UN RCO, WFP and ILO. As the implementation of the programme starts in 2020, UNICEF is looking for a Social protection Specialist who will serve as the programme coordinator at NOC level to undertake planning, implementation and monitoring.
Purpose
The Social Protection Specialist will provide strategic project planning, coordination, implementation and monitoring and reporting support to achieve the targeted results of this joint programme, including communication and visibility. In addition, the incumbent will oversee the implementation of the UNICEF component of this joint programme. For this, the incumbent will coordinate internally with UNICEF, WFP and ILO, and externally with partners such as the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and the EU-funded Technical Assistant Facility (TAF).
Tasks will include
- Ensure cross-sectoral coordination of the project;
- Establish close coordination and synergy among agencies involved namely UNICEF, WFP and ILO;
- Be responsible for effective management of the project team and resources, ensuring smooth running of the project, promoting team work and an environment that is conducive to delivering effective results as well as sharing of good practices and lessons learned;
- Coordinate the draft of the project annual work plan and budget, its submission and approval, and seek the corresponding authorizations required to undertake project activities, to ensure eligibility of expenditures and activities based on the requirements the donor;
- Ensure the achievement of the project results according to the submitted plans, budget allocations and time frames as outlined in the project logframe;
- Provide support in monitoring the implementation of specific program activities, ensuring coherence of programming strategies and proposing adjustments as appropriate;
- Support relevant UNICEF components in documenting progress throughout implementation by working closely with implementing partners; and facilitate knowledge management and information sharing among programme actors;
- Oversee and coordinate M&E activities and staff in coordination with the concerned agencies and teams;
- Support overall reporting and produce corporate documentation as requested.
- Contribute to effective communication and visibility of programme results.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have..
- A Masters Degree in Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science, or other relevant disciplines is required,
- Minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience working in the field of programme coordination, UN coordination, or related experience in development or joint programmes,
- In lieu of an advanced degree, a relevant University degree plus seven(7) years of relevant professional experience will be considered,
- Proven experience in project management and coordinationmanaging grants, delivering on results, monitoring, and reporting,
- Demonstrated experience in supporting multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder interventions targeting community and system capacity building,
- Experience coordinating with other organizations in the collation of information, analysis and development of recommendations,
- Good understanding of the issues and complexities of Somalia,
- Ability to analyze, synthesize information and communicate outcomes clearly to different stakeholders,
- Capacity to manage various tasks simultaneously in planning, implementing, and monitoring a complex project over an extended period,
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, ability to work independently and in a team, high-level report-writing skills,
- Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships both within and outside the organization,
- Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered a strong asset,
- Fluency in English and Somali is required.
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 competencies required for this post are…
- Builds and maintains partnerships
- Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
- Drive to achieve results for impact
- Innovates and embraces change
- Manages ambiguity and complexity
- Thinks and acts strategically
- Works collaboratively with others
- Nurtures, leads and manages people
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.
Female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.