UNICEF Regional Chief of Programme Planning P5

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, fostering a culture of belonging and growth. UNICEF is known for its attractive compensation and benefits package, emphasizing the importance of its work in serving children and communities globally.

Job Overview:
The Regional Chief of Programme Planning at UNICEF is responsible for providing technical leadership and management advice throughout the West and Central Africa Region. This role involves oversight, quality assurance, technical assistance, and capacity building for country programs' design, planning, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting. The position requires close collaboration with relevant HQ Divisions and Offices to ensure the application and adaptation of UNICEF policies and standards. The Regional Chief will coordinate UNICEF's contributions to the UN Coherence/UNSDCF agenda at the regional level, working with various UN agencies and ensuring that regional office functions are adequately planned, monitored, and reported. The nature of this role is primarily advisory, providing authoritative policy advice and technical expertise to senior management and influencing regional strategies and policies.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide advisory capacity and policy development support to the Regional Director and other senior managers.
• Ensure technical support and quality assurance in regional programme planning.
• Develop and coordinate strategies that align with UNICEF's goals and objectives.
• Manage knowledge and research initiatives to enhance program effectiveness.
• Build capacity within the region through training and support.
• Lead technical leadership initiatives to improve program outcomes.
• Conduct regional monitoring and assessment to evaluate program impact.
• Monitor child rights and ensure compliance with UNICEF standards.
• Represent UNICEF in various forums and build partnerships with stakeholders. 1
• Facilitate communication and networking to enhance collaboration.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in social sciences or related technical areas. A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible professional work experience in program management or advisory support is required, demonstrating recognized expertise in the relevant technical area. Essential skills include networking, supervision, capacity building, interagency coordination, and advisory support. Candidates should also exhibit strong leadership and communication skills, with a focus on achieving results and managing complexity.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in social sciences or other relevant disciplines is mandatory for this position. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate possesses the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical understanding of the technical areas relevant to UNICEF's mission and objectives.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of ten years of progressively responsible professional work experience in all aspects of program management and advisory support. Candidates should have experience in technical areas or program sectors that have resulted in recognized expertise. Relevant experience in West and Central Africa, particularly in development, fragile settings, and humanitarian contexts, is highly desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in both French and English is required for this position. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate effectively in diverse environments.

Additional Notes:
This position is a full-time role within UNICEF, and candidates must be prepared for potential mobility as part of international professional employment. The role may involve travel to various locations within the region. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive workforce and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, or background. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy regarding misconduct and is committed to safeguarding the rights of children. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous background checks and must meet medical clearance and inoculation requirements as part of the hiring process.