Programme Specialist PSEA

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, is a global organization that works in over 190 countries and territories to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential from early childhood through adolescence. Established in 1946, UNICEF has a mission to promote the rights of every child, which is not just a job but a calling for its employees. The organization is committed to providing diverse opportunities for professional and personal development, fostering a culture of belonging and growth, and offering an attractive compensation and benefits package. In Cameroon, UNICEF has been operational since 1975, focusing on the rights of women and children and providing support across various sectors including health, education, and child protection. The organization emphasizes collaboration with local and national partners to address the challenges faced by vulnerable populations, particularly in rural areas where access to basic services is limited. UNICEF's work is driven by a commitment to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, aiming to ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive and develop without restriction.

Job Overview:
The Programme Specialist PSEA position at UNICEF is crucial for the planning, design, implementation, and administration of specific projects within a major programme. The role is aligned with the Country Programme Recommendation and the Country Programme Management Plan, focusing on achieving UNICEF's priorities. The specialist will be responsible for effective knowledge management and the development of systems to strengthen programme management. This includes preparing and updating situation analyses, identifying critical intervention points, and ensuring optimal use of programme funds. The role also involves conducting programme monitoring and evaluations to enhance performance, preparing timely programme status reports, and incorporating a rights-based and results-based approach throughout all phases of programming. The specialist will work to gain commitment and institutional capacities from national and local partners, advocate for children's rights at various levels, and maintain effective partnerships for advocacy, technical cooperation, and information sharing. This position is integral to UNICEF's mission of promoting the rights and well-being of every child.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Programme Specialist PSEA include:

• Developing and utilizing effective knowledge management systems to strengthen area/country programme management.
• Preparing and updating situation analyses to identify critical programme intervention points and measures.
• Preparing programme work plans, recommendations, and reports to ensure alignment with UNICEF's priorities.
• Ensuring optimal use of programme funds and resources.
• Conducting programme monitoring and evaluations to improve performance and preparing timely status reports.
• Incorporating gender/sex disaggregated data and relevant inputs into programming.
• Fully integrating a rights-based and results-based programming approach into all phases of programme and project processes.
• Gaining and establishing commitment and institutional capacities of national and local partners.
• Incorporating a rights perspective and advocacy into policy analysis to elevate UNICEF's credibility in national and international debates. 1
• Achieving and maintaining effective partnerships for advocacy, technical cooperation, programme development, management, coordination, information sharing, and networking.

Required Qualifications:
To qualify for the Programme Specialist PSEA position, candidates must possess the following qualifications:

• An advanced university degree in Social Sciences, International Relations, Government, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or another relevant technical field. Alternatively, a first university degree in a relevant field combined with two additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.
• A minimum of five years of relevant professional work experience is required, with experience in a developing country considered an asset.
• Familiarity with emergency contexts is also considered an asset.
• Candidates must demonstrate UNICEF's core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

Educational Background:
The educational background required for the Programme Specialist PSEA position includes an advanced university degree in fields such as Social Sciences, International Relations, Government, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or other relevant technical disciplines. A first university degree in a relevant field, combined with two additional years of professional experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree, providing flexibility in the educational requirements for candidates.

Experience:
Candidates for the Programme Specialist PSEA position should have a minimum of five years of relevant professional work experience. This experience should ideally include work in a developing country context, which is considered an asset. Additionally, familiarity with emergency situations is also regarded as beneficial for this role, as it aligns with UNICEF's commitment to humanitarian action and response.

Languages:
Fluency in French is mandatory for this position, along with a good knowledge of English. Knowledge of another official UN language, such as Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish, or a local language is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate effectively in diverse contexts and with various stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The Programme Specialist PSEA position is a full-time role within UNICEF, which promotes an inclusive and diverse workforce. The organization encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including women and individuals with disabilities. UNICEF provides a wide range of benefits to its staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. The recruitment process includes rigorous reference and background checks, and selected candidates must adhere to UNICEF's standards and principles regarding child protection and safeguarding. Additionally, candidates may be required to meet medical clearance and vaccination requirements, including against COVID-19, as part of the appointment process. UNICEF does not charge any processing fees during recruitment and selection.