Head of the Enabling Services Pillar of GAO

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential from early childhood through adolescence. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development to its staff. UNICEF is known for its inclusive culture and attractive compensation and benefits package, making it a desirable workplace for those passionate about child welfare.

Job Overview:
As the Head of the Enabling Services Pillar of GAO, the incumbent will lead the programme planning, monitoring, and evaluation (PME) function across GAO priorities and areas of work. This role is crucial for ensuring coherence, clarity, and effective delivery of the office's workstreams. The incumbent will be responsible for driving integrated and forward-looking planning, strategic coordination of GAO activities, and overseeing operational functions to ensure efficient and cost-effective systems and processes. The position requires strong leadership in managing the operations team and ensuring alignment with UNICEF's Strategic Plan and the GCC Reset roadmap, ultimately supporting the effective implementation of global priorities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The key functions of this role include:

• Strategic Planning and Oversight: Lead the strategic planning processes to ensure alignment with UNICEF's goals and objectives.
• Management of Planning and Operations Team: Oversee the operations team, ensuring effective management and coordination of tasks.
• Coordination and Demand Management: Facilitate coordination among various workstreams to ensure that demands are met efficiently.
• Reporting Oversight: Ensure that reporting mechanisms are in place and that reports are accurate and timely, reflecting the progress and challenges of the office's work.

Required Qualifications:
To qualify as a champion for every child, candidates must possess a Master's degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as Business Administration, Public Administration, Development Studies, Economics, or Social Sciences. Additionally, candidates should have at least 8 years of relevant work experience in areas such as Planning, Development, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Operations Management. Strong analytical skills and results-based management experience are essential for this role.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have a Master's degree or an equivalent advanced university degree in fields related to business, public administration, development studies, economics, statistics, or social sciences. This educational background is critical for understanding the complexities of planning and operations management within UNICEF's framework.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 8 years of relevant work experience in various fields including Planning, Development, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Operations Management. Experience within the UN system and familiarity with country programme planning are considered assets. Candidates should also have relevant experience in international settings or projects, particularly in social policy and planning, as well as experience in development and humanitarian contexts.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of another official UN language such as Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish is desirable. Familiarity with local languages may also be beneficial, particularly in enhancing communication within diverse communities.

Additional Notes:
This position is subject to UNICEF's policies regarding medical clearance and visa requirements. Candidates must be prepared to undergo rigorous background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. UNICEF promotes a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its objectives, including discrimination and harassment. The organization is committed to fostering an inclusive workforce and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their background. Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF, and all staff may be called upon to support humanitarian responses as needed.