Planning and Monitoring Specialist

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 emphasizes a culture of belonging and growth, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Job Overview:
The Planning and Monitoring Specialist position is crucial for UNICEF's operations in Afghanistan, particularly in the Zonal Office context. The role involves supporting and facilitating planning and monitoring functions to ensure effective country program delivery. This includes collaboration with other Planning and Monitoring Section members and zonal sectoral program staff. The position is responsible for program planning, monitoring, capacity building, and coordination. The incumbent will report to the Chief of Field Office and will be engaged in integrated planning, data collection and analysis, and ensuring accountability to stakeholders. The focus is on complex systemic change and promoting equity through disaggregated data to address diverse needs. The role also involves strengthening national data systems and improving data quality to enhance program outcomes for children and communities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Programme Planning: Develop and implement effective planning strategies for UNICEF's programs in the Zonal Office, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and objectives.
• Programme Monitoring: Oversee the monitoring of program implementation, including budget monitoring, to ensure compliance with UNICEF's standards and guidelines.
• Planning and Monitoring Capacity Building: Facilitate training and capacity-building initiatives for staff and partners to enhance their skills in planning and monitoring processes.
• Coordination and Networking: Actively participate in inter-agency coordination platforms and collaborate with stakeholders to improve service delivery and accountability in humanitarian action.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in Social Science, Statistics, Development Studies, Planning, or a related field. They should have a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in program planning, monitoring, evaluation, or budget monitoring. Essential skills include data analysis, team coordination, results-based management, risk mitigation, and strong analytical capabilities. Fluency in English is mandatory, while knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is considered an asset.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in a relevant field such as Social Science, Statistics, Development Studies, or Planning is required for this position. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to perform effectively in the role.

Experience:
The position requires at least 5 years of relevant work experience in program planning, monitoring, evaluation, or budget monitoring. Candidates should have experience working in development, fragile settings, and humanitarian contexts, with a focus on emergency programming and cash-based programming. Fieldwork experience and third-party monitoring experience are also valuable assets.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate effectively in diverse environments.

Additional Notes:
The position is a fixed-term role within UNICEF, and candidates are encouraged to apply regardless of gender, nationality, or background. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive workforce and offers various benefits, including paid parental leave and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. The organization adheres to a zero-tolerance policy regarding misconduct and is committed to safeguarding the rights of children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous background checks, and compliance with medical clearance and vaccination requirements is mandatory. The role may involve deployment to support humanitarian responses, reflecting UNICEF's commitment to humanitarian action.