Coordination and Planning Officer

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, is a global organization that works in some of the world’s toughest places to reach the most disadvantaged children. Established in 1946, UNICEF operates in 190 countries and territories, focusing on saving lives, defending rights, and helping children fulfill their potential. The organization is dedicated to building a better world for every child, and it employs thousands of staff members worldwide, all committed to this mission.

Job Overview:
The Coordination and Planning Officer position is crucial for supporting the management and planning activities within UNICEF. The incumbent will be responsible for establishing an organized system for incoming information, including correspondence and decision memos, which are vital for the organization's archive. The role involves drafting work plans, annual reports, and other planning documents that align with the team's goals. The officer will play a key role in ensuring that high-level visitors are appropriately addressed and that protocol is respected, contributing to the coordination of drafts for position papers and other relevant documents. The position requires the officer to accompany the supervisor to meetings and missions, prepare notes on discussions, and ensure follow-up on matters raised. The officer will also be responsible for managing the flow of information to the supervisor, identifying priority matters, and proposing actions based on analysis of supporting documentation.

Duties and Responsibilities:
1) Support to office priority setting and decision making: Ensure high-level visitors are addressed appropriately, provide necessary background information, and respect protocol. Contribute to drafting position papers and other documents relevant to office activities. Accompany the supervisor to meetings and missions, prepare notes, and ensure follow-up on discussions. Draft talking points and research relevant information to prepare the supervisor for meetings. Liaise with section/division heads to secure timely information for decision-making. Manage protocol-related matters by acting as a liaison with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other state institutions. Assist in managing information flow to the supervisor, identifying urgent matters, and proposing actions. Develop a monitoring system to store and track critical correspondence and documents. 2) Support to office planning and operations: Research and synthesize qualitative and quantitative data to support the development of annual work-plans. Organize materials for office strategies to ensure impactful results. Verify the accuracy and quality of information for dissemination. 3) Support to events, meetings, and conferences: Prepare and maintain office event calendars, ensuring key events and deadlines are updated. Contribute to logistics preparations for events involving senior management. Follow up on the implementation of recommendations from meetings and coordinate preparation of background documents for these meetings.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a university degree in International Relations, Political Science, Public Administration, or a relevant technical field. A minimum of two years of relevant professional work experience in external relations, public affairs, or international development cooperation is necessary, preferably within the UN or a government institution, NGO. Experience in coordination, planning, or working in an executive office is considered an asset.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a university degree in a relevant field such as International Relations, Political Science, or Public Administration. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of international development and public affairs, which are critical to the role.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have at least two years of relevant professional experience in areas such as external relations, public affairs, or international development cooperation. Experience within the UN system or in government institutions is preferred, as is prior experience in coordination or planning roles. This level of experience is necessary to effectively manage the responsibilities of the position and contribute to the organization's goals.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is considered an asset, enhancing communication capabilities within the diverse environment of UNICEF.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Kyiv, and the incumbent is expected to work on-site. However, depending on security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security conditions and advisories, relocation within Ukraine may be required. UNICEF emphasizes its commitment to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from eligible and suitable individuals with disabilities. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its aims, including discrimination and harassment. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. UNICEF does not charge any processing fees during the recruitment process and is committed to providing a supportive work environment.