Consultant for Programme Planning and Monitoring

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 is known for its passionate culture and attractive compensation and benefits package, making it a desirable workplace for those dedicated to child welfare.

Job Overview:
The consultant will play a crucial role in supporting UNICEF Romania's efforts to enhance program planning and monitoring functions. This position is vital for aligning the country office's results frameworks with the new Strategic Plan (2026-2029) and ensuring effective implementation of the Ukraine refugee response plan. The consultant will work closely with the country office team and other stakeholders to improve planning processes, data collection, and compliance with organizational standards. The role requires a strong focus on equity, ensuring that the needs of the most disadvantaged children and families are prioritized in all planning and monitoring activities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the Country Office in developing well-prioritized and realistic planning and monitoring activities that provide strategic information for managing the Country Programme.
• Ensure timely completion of reporting requirements, including annual and donor reporting, by coordinating and supporting quality assurance processes.
• Enhance the planning and monitoring capacities of Country Office staff and national partners through training and knowledge sharing.
• Implement information management activities related to humanitarian performance monitoring and reporting, particularly in response to the ongoing refugee crisis.
• Establish collaborative working spaces and data visualization products to support evidence-based decision-making and document lessons learned.
• Collaborate with regional advisors, UN agencies, and civil society organizations to strengthen national capacities for planning, monitoring, evaluation, and research.

Required Qualifications:

• A master's degree in Public Administration, International Development, Sociology, Statistics, or other social science fields.
• A minimum of three years of professional experience in planning, monitoring, information management, and data management.
• Relevant experience in program/project planning, monitoring, and evaluation within a UN system agency or organization is an asset.
• Extensive knowledge of monitoring and evaluation principles, frameworks, and best practices in humanitarian and development settings.
• Familiarity with UNICEF's mandate and programs.
• Strong analytical thinking, conceptual ability, and strategic planning skills.
• Proficiency in computer skills, including office applications and tools for presentation, monitoring, and data management.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a master's degree in relevant fields such as Public Administration, International Development, Sociology, Statistics, or other social sciences. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of program planning and monitoring within UNICEF's framework.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least three years of professional experience in planning, monitoring, information management, and data management. Experience in program/project planning, monitoring, and evaluation within a UN agency or organization is highly desirable. Familiarity with UNICEF's operations and previous work with similar organizations will be considered an asset.

Languages:
Fluency in Romanian is mandatory, along with proficiency in English, including strong report writing and presentation skills. Knowledge of additional languages may be beneficial but is not required.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to be conducted within a specified timeframe, with a focus on producing deliverables that meet organizational standards. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, or background. The organization adheres to strict policies regarding the protection of children's rights and conducts thorough background checks on all selected candidates. UNICEF does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and ensures reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities.