Programme Specialist (Programme Hub Coordination)

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. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development. UNICEF has been active in Cameroon since 1975, focusing on the rights of women and children across various sectors including health, education, and child protection. The organization emphasizes collaboration with stakeholders to address the challenges faced by vulnerable populations in Cameroon.

Job Overview:
The Programme Specialist (Programme Hub Coordination) position at UNICEF Cameroon is crucial for leading the transactional backbone of the organization's program implementation. The role involves managing partnerships, overseeing budgets, and ensuring efficient service delivery. As Hub Coordinator, the individual will be responsible for fostering a high-performing team, ensuring operational efficiency, and maintaining quality standards in service delivery. The position requires strategic financial monitoring and partnership management, contributing to the overall effectiveness of UNICEF's mission in Cameroon. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in ensuring that UNICEF operates with impact, efficiency, and integrity, ultimately delivering results for every child.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• People Management: Lead and develop a high-performing team, ensuring integration and responsiveness to key performance indicators. Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment through coaching and mentoring.
• Service Delivery & Operational Efficiency: Champion the service hub model, ensuring efficient delivery of core transactional services such as budget oversight, HR processing, travel, and partner payments. Maintain quality standards and ensure client satisfaction.
• Strategic Budget & Financial Monitoring: Lead financial planning and oversight of centrally managed grants, develop dashboards, track budget performance, and ensure compliance with donor requirements.
• Implementing Partnership Management: Provide expert support in formalizing and managing partnerships with government and civil society, ensuring alignment with UNICEF policies.
• HACT Implementation: Support the implementation of the Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers, coordinate assessments, and assist in closing audit recommendations.
• Quality Assurance: Contribute to maintaining high standards in partnership and HACT documentation, ensuring compliance with corporate requirements.
• Monitoring, Analysis & Reporting: Use tools to track key metrics on partnerships and cash transfers, highlight risks, and inform country management through regular reporting.

Required Qualifications:

• Education: An advanced university degree in Development Studies, International Development, Business Administration, Financial Management, Economics, Auditing, Project/Programme Management, or a relevant technical field is required.
• Work Experience: A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in Programme Management, including areas such as HACT/IPM and budget management. Proven supervisory experience and leadership in projects and matrix organizations are desirable. Experience in a UN system agency is an asset.
• Skills: Strong supervisory and people management skills, attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, and a focus on timely and quality task delivery. Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially Excel, is required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in fields relevant to the position, such as Development Studies, International Development, Business Administration, Financial Management, Economics, Auditing, or Project/Programme Management. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of program management and financial oversight.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in Programme Management, with a focus on budget management and related processes. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in leading teams and managing projects within a matrix organization. Experience in a UN agency or similar organization is considered advantageous.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and French (written and oral) is required for this position. Familiarity with additional languages may be considered a plus, especially in the context of working in diverse environments.

Additional Notes:
This position is open to all qualified candidates, with a particular encouragement for female candidates and individuals with disabilities to apply. UNICEF offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid parental leave and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. The organization emphasizes a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination and harassment, ensuring a safe and inclusive work environment. Candidates must be prepared for rigorous background checks and medical clearance as part of the recruitment process. UNICEF does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and is committed to safeguarding the rights of every child.