Chief (Field Office)

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. And we never give up. For every child, commitment Under the close supervision of the Representative, the Chief of Osh Field Office is accountable for managing the total programme commitment of the Field Office within UNICEF country programme. The Chief of Field Office (CFO) represents UNICEF in his/her Area of Responsibility (AoR), leads and oversees the various program sectors and operational service teams ensuring the delivery of quality results in accordance with UNICEF’s programme of cooperation, country programme management plan and overall vision set forward by the Representative. As the Osh Office operates in a sensitive regional and local context, the Chief of Field Office will be guided by the Representative for any strategic engagement with the regional and local authorities or public advocacy/statements in order to ensure that UNICEF’s voice remain independent and impartial. How can you make a difference? 1. Effective management of UNICEF presence, staff and assets As guided by the Representative, represent UNICEF in the region, by participating in meetings and events, moving forward the agenda for children. Advocate and communicate publicly based on key messaging and lines developed and agreed with communication team and the Representative. Facilitate, take and implement measures to ensure safety and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security of UNICEF staff and assets. Effectively lead the Field Office team and manage the performance and conduct the staff members to deliver results for children. Act as a member of the Country office CMT, PMT and coordination management meetings to ensure programmatic and managerial alignment between Osh and Bishkek offices. 2. Knowledge Management for Programmes Ensure that area/country programmes are supported by knowledge management through data collection and analysis, complete and accurate reporting as well as participation in the Programme Knowledge Network system of "lessons learned" and other corporate-level databases. Participate in information exchange through donor and media visits as well as in the development of training and orientation material. 3. Programme Development and Management Identify critical intervention points and measures by administering a consistent and transparent monitoring system; analyse country level socio-political-economic trends and their implications for ongoing programmes and projects. Draft changes to/or prepare programme work plans as required. Prepare program recommendations for inclusion in formal programme documentation, and new approaches, methods and practices. Establishes programme workplans, monitors compliance and provides training, support and guidance to the programme team in order to meet objectives. Identifies human resources requirements and on-going staff development needs. Reviews and evaluates the technical, institutional and financial feasibility and constraints of programme/projects in collaboration with Government and other partners, and under the close support of the Deputy Representative Prepares relevant programme reports required for management, donors, budget reviews, programme analysis, annual reports, etc. 4. Optimum Use of Program Funds Establish and supervise programme work plans and monitor progress and compliance.  Monitor the overall allocation and disbursement of programme funds, making sure that funds are properly coordinated, monitored and liquidated. Take appropriate actions to optimize use of programme funds. Ensure programme efficiency and delivery through a rigorous and transparent approach to programme planning, monitoring and evaluation. 5. Programme Monitoring and Evaluations Undertakes field visits and ensures that his/her staff conduct field visits to monitor and assess programme implementation and decides on required corrective action. Carry out a rigorous and transparent approach to evaluate and participate in the major programme evaluation exercises in consultation with the Representative, the Operations Officer, the Evaluation Officer and others to improve efficiency and quality of programme delivery. Participate in annual sector review meetings with government counterparts.  Ensure the timely preparation of annual program status reports. 6.  Rights-Based and Results-Based Programme Management Approach Adopt rights-based programmes approach in the formulation of programme goals and objectives and development of strategies and implementation frameworks. Formulate consistent and effective planning, design, implementation, monitoring and/or evaluation of programmes and projects. Bring coherence, synergy and added value to the programming planning and design processes using a results-based management approach to programme planning and design. Prepare and submit viable recommendations on project implementation, alternative approaches, and optimal utilization of resources that contribute effectively to the fulfilment of the rights of children and women, and recommendations on programme, new initiatives and management issues to ensure achievement of stated objectives. 7.  National and Local Capacity Building/Sustainability Provide authorities and service providers with technical support and guidance to plan and organize training programmes for the purpose of capacity building and programme sustainability. Ensure the building and reinforcing of the commitment and institutional capacities of the national and local partners starting with taking a strategic approach to the identification of these partners and partnerships. 8. Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration Develop partnership and collaboration with internal and external counterparts, including those of the UN and national partners, in order to improve the ability to collect and disseminate development data and information, exchange information on programme/project status and implementation and movement/distribution of supplies. Linkage to the Regional Programme Knowledge Network to ensure the availability of current and accurate programme data. Collaborate with the Operations Section to establish and maintain sound internal controls supportive of programming endeavours and to coordinate financial and supply management requirements and accountability. Maintain close collaboration with heads of sectoral programmes in the CO, Regional and HQ advisers for effective overall coordination on programmes. Plans, develops and implements sectoral programme(s) by collaborating with the government and other partners. Provide leadership in provision of technical advice, negotiation, advocacy and promotion of area/country level goals, leading to agreement on practicable and priority actions to be supported by UNICEF programme and country level cooperation. To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… Education

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: social sciences, international relations, public administration, government and public relations, public or social policy, sociology, social or community development, or another relevant technical field.

Experience

• A minimum of five years of professional work experience in programme management, planning, monitoring and evaluation, project administration or another relevant area is requiredExperience working in a developing country is considered as an asset.Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.Familiarity/ background with emergency is considered as an asset.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English and in Russian is required. Solid knowledge of Kyrgyz language is considered as an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate... UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. The UNICEF competencies required for this post are... Core Competencies (Required)

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (2)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Drives to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

Functional Competencies (Required)

• Analyzing (2)
• Persuading and Influencing (2)

Technical Knowledge   Specific Technical Knowledge Required (Technical knowledge requirements specific to the job can be added here as required.) • Rights-based and Results-based approach and programming in UNICEF. • UNICEF programme policy, procedures and guidelines in the Manual.  Common Technical Knowledge Required (for the job group) •  Methodology of programme/project management • UNICEF programmatic goals, visions, positions, policies and strategies. • Knowledge of global human rights issues, specifically relating to children and women, and the current UNCEF position and approaches. • UNICEF policies and strategy to address on national and international issues, particularly relating to conflicts, natural disasters, and recovery. • UNICEF emergency programme policies, goals, strategies and approaches. • Gender equality and diversity awareness.  Technical Knowledge to be Acquired/Enhanced (for the Job) • UN policies and strategy to address international humanitarian issues and the responses. • UN common approaches to programmatic issues and UNICEF positions • UN security operations and guidelines. • Security Management training for members of Security Management Team. • UNICEF policies, strategies promoting and supporting gender equality and diversity.   UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check. Remarks: Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.