Chief Field Office

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 inclusive culture and attractive compensation and benefits package, aiming to build careers while serving children and communities globally.

Job Overview:
The Chief Field Office (CFO) is responsible for managing and leading the total programme commitment of a field office within a country programme. The CFO represents UNICEF in their Area of Responsibility (AoR) and oversees various program sectors and operational service teams to ensure the delivery of quality results in alignment with UNICEF’s programme of cooperation and country programme management plan. The role involves effective management of UNICEF presence, staff, and assets, as well as the implementation of knowledge management systems to enhance programme management. The CFO is expected to conduct situation analyses, prepare programme work plans, and ensure optimal use of programme funds while monitoring and evaluating programme performance. The position also requires timely management of emergency preparedness and response initiatives, as well as establishing effective partnerships and collaboration for advocacy and technical cooperation.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage UNICEF presence, staff, and assets in the Area of Responsibility effectively.
• Adopt and utilize effective knowledge management systems to strengthen area/country programme management.
• Prepare and update situation analyses, identifying critical programme intervention points and measures.
• Plan, implement, and monitor programs at the sub-national level to ensure high-quality results.
• Optimize the use of programme funds and conduct evaluations to improve programme performance.
• Provide gender/sex disaggregated data and inputs relevant to the country programme.
• Incorporate rights-based and results-based programming approaches into all phases of programme and project processes.
• Manage emergency preparedness and response initiatives effectively.
• Represent UNICEF at key state-level fora, such as the Area security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security Management Team and Inter-coordination" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Cluster Coordination Group. 1
• Establish and maintain commitment and institutional capacities of national and local partners. 1
• Incorporate rights perspective and advocacy at various levels to elevate UNICEF’s credibility in policy debates. 1
• Achieve and maintain effective partnerships for advocacy, technical cooperation, and information sharing.

Required Qualifications:

• An advanced university degree in social sciences, international relations, public administration, government and public relations, public or social policy, sociology, social or community development, or another relevant technical field.
• A minimum of eight years of professional work experience in programme management, planning, monitoring and evaluation, project administration, or another relevant area.
• Skills in coordination, effective leadership management, knowledge management, partnership, programme development, and technical advice are essential.
• Fluency in English is required, with knowledge of another official UN language or a local language considered an asset.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in relevant fields such as social sciences, international relations, public administration, or similar disciplines. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of programme management and the socio-political contexts in which UNICEF operates.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of eight years of professional experience in relevant areas such as programme management, planning, monitoring and evaluation, or project administration. Experience working in developing countries and familiarity with emergency contexts are considered assets, as is relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization.

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 and collaboration in diverse settings.

Additional Notes:
This position is subject to UNICEF's policies and procedures, including medical clearance and compliance with inoculation requirements. The organization promotes an inclusive workforce and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, particularly women from high-income countries. UNICEF does not charge any processing fees during the recruitment process and ensures reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities. Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF, and all staff may be called upon to support humanitarian responses as needed.