Senior Planning Specialist (Strategic Coordinator)

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 to its staff. UNICEF is known for its inclusive culture and attractive compensation and benefits package, emphasizing the importance of belonging and growth within a diverse workforce.

Job Overview:
The Senior Planning Specialist (Strategic Coordinator) will play a crucial role in UNICEF’s Global Programme Division, which is undergoing a significant transformation towards a globally connected, demand-driven technical assistance model. This position is pivotal in ensuring that technical assistance is fully integrated within UNICEF’s program architecture, aligning with strategic priorities and institutional processes. The role involves connecting strategy with execution, translating UNICEF’s Strategic Plan into actionable processes, and ensuring operational excellence across a complex global organization. The specialist will work closely with senior leadership, regional teams, and technical partners to drive coherence across business processes, governance, and performance systems, enabling seamless collaboration across various offices. The position is designed for a leader who thrives in complex, multi-stakeholder environments and is motivated by improving how global development organizations deliver results, ultimately contributing to achieving UNICEF’s Strategic Plan 2026–2029 and enhancing outcomes for children worldwide.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Planning Specialist will be responsible for leading the institutional coordination and embedding of UNICEF’s Technical Assistance Hub within its program architecture. Key responsibilities include driving end-to-end alignment of TA Hub processes with planning, results, and accountability systems; strengthening governance, service standards, and operational workflows across headquarters, regional, and country levels; facilitating structured coordination with Regional and Country Offices to ensure effective demand articulation and delivery; monitoring performance, generating insights, and supporting senior leadership decision-making; and leading institutionalization through guidance, tools, and capacity development. The role ensures that UNICEF’s technical assistance functions as a coherent, high-performing global service that delivers measurable results for children.

Required Qualifications:
To qualify for this position, candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in Social Sciences, Public Administration, Humanities, International Relations, Economics, Business, or related fields. Additionally, candidates should have at least 10 years of relevant work experience in International Development, Strategic Planning, Social Innovation, Entrepreneurship, or related areas. Essential skills include strategic planning, performance analysis, stakeholder engagement, executive reporting, and organizational development.

Educational Background:
Candidates are required to have a Master’s degree or an equivalent advanced university degree in relevant fields such as Social Sciences, Public Administration, Humanities, International Relations, Economics, Business, or other related disciplines. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of international development and strategic planning.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience in fields such as International Development, Strategic Planning, Social Innovation, or Entrepreneurship. This extensive experience is necessary to navigate the complexities of the role and to effectively contribute to UNICEF’s mission and objectives.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Additionally, knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) is considered desirable, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage in a diverse international environment.

Additional Notes:
This position is part of UNICEF's commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce. The organization offers a wide range of benefits, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. UNICEF emphasizes the importance of ethical conduct and safeguarding the rights of children, with a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct. Candidates may be required to undergo rigorous background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. The role may involve flexible working hours to accommodate different time zones, and mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UNICEF's standards and principles, including those related to humanitarian action.