ABOUT THE COMPANY:

UNICEF was created with a distinct purpose in mind: to work with others to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in a child’s path. We advocate for measures to give children the best start in life, because proper care at the youngest age forms the strongest foundation for a person’s future

JOB SUMMARY

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, a chance

The Division of Data, Analytics, Planning and Monitoring (DAPM) was established in 2019 to drive decision making and organizational learning, improve effectiveness and achievement of results of UNICEF and its partners to realize the rights and improve the life of every child. DAPM promotes the use of data, analytics, planning and monitoring, and related aspects of strategic country programme management, to achieve transformative impact for children.

The Division is responsible for driving, shaping and guiding UNICEF’s evidence-informed analysis, corporate and country planning, programme implementation and related risk management, monitoring, knowledge management and organizational performance. As such, DAPM enables the organization to deliver on results in a more coherent manner, based on agile and contextualized programming processes, and on data, evidence, and analytics, as well as the application of human-rights based and results-based approaches.

Within DAPM, the Programme Effectiveness Team (PET) leads, regulates and coordinates the development and issuance of organization-wide policies, procedures, standards, guidance, systems, tools and platforms to strengthen programme effectiveness across all contexts, including programme planning, implementation and related risk management, safeguarding, monitoring, organizational performance, knowledge management, at all levels.  In doing so, PET engages with all divisions/offices across HQ as well as with all regional offices, UN agencies, funds and programmes, specialized agencies, other technical organizations and the UN Development Coordination Office.

Purpose for the job:

The Chief, Strategic Planning & Corporate Analysis (SPCA) reports directly to the Deputy Director, Programme Effectiveness.

Under the guidance and supervision of the Deputy Director, the Chief (SPCA) works closely with Data & Analytics, Office of the Executive Director (OED), HQ Divisions, especially with Programme Group (PG), Office of Emergency Programmes (EMOPS), Division of Financial and Administrative Management (DFAM), as well as with Regional Chiefs of Planning. The Chief also works with UNDG agencies, Member States, donors and diverse partners. There is regular and systematic work with Executive Board members. The Chief (SPCA) is expected to work closely with the other units in the Programme Effectiveness Team and DAPM.

The purpose of the role is to coordinate and support the continued development and strengthening of:

1. The corporate strategic planning and review process, incorporating the development of the UNICEF Strategic Plan (SP) and other critical exercises such as the midterm reviews of the SP, and any evaluative exercises related to the SP.
2. Corporate reporting to internal and external stakeholders, including through the Executive Director’s Annual Report (EDAR), biennial World Fit for Children Report and other reports, in coordination with HQ Divisions.
3. The annual Global Effectiveness Review with the Global Management Team (GMT) and related engagement with regional offices.
4. Preparing annual allocation proposals of Regular Resources (RR) to country programmes, actively track countries as they graduate income typologies and in conjunction with Programme Guidance Unit (PGU), providing timely advice to countries on options to manage the transition responsibly.
5. The joint development of Office Management Plans (OMP) guidance, together with DFAM, and the subsequent review of implementation of the OMPs at regional and HQ locations in support of the corporate budgetary review processes.
6. Corporate engagement in high-level UN policy and strategy related processes, including those undertaken at the levels of ECOSOC and the General Assembly – but particularly the quadrennial comprehensive policy review (QCPR).
7. Inputs to the formulation and development of other global UNICEF policies, goals and strategies.

How can you make a difference?

1. Coordinate and strengthen corporate planning and reporting:

• Conceptualize, guide and manage the process of strategic planning and reporting both internally and externally, ensuring participation of all key implementers. Coordinate the preparation of the SP once every four years and review every two years, and reporting annually, including through the Executive Director’s Annual Report and other supplementary materials, taking into account the views and resolutions of the General Assembly, ECOSOC, and the Executive Board.

2. Use of the Strategic Plan:

• Conceptualize, design and coordinate the development of guidance and other communication materials on the Strategic Plan to promote utilization at all relevant levels.

3. Regional and Headquarters Office Management Plans:

• In close collaboration with DFAM, draft guidelines for the Office Management Plans for HQ locations and ROs to ensure alignment between the OMPs, budget and the SP.

4. Results Based Management:

• Lead process to strengthen the organization’s approach and implementation of results-based management at all levels, including development of tools and skill development initiatives.

5. Global Effectiveness Review:

• Support and coordinate the annual Global Effectiveness Review with the GMT and related engagement with regional offices

6. Policies, strategies and procedures:

• Support the formulation and development of other global UNICEF policies, procedures and technical guidance, methodologies for results based strategic planning and its resourcing etc. as required, including the annual Global Effectiveness Review with the GMT.

7. Document lessons learnt and good practices in formulation, use and monitoring the effectiveness of the Strategic Plan, generate knowledge products and its dissemination.
8. Effectively Manage the SPCA Unit and respond to ad-hoc requests as needed:

• Overall accountability for the management of the SPCA Unit (results, human resources, finance)
• Supervise, manage, and direct SPCA staff, including appraisal of staff performance, career development and learning
• Ensure an enabling positive workplace culture within the unit and contribute to upholding the UNICEF CRITAS (Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability & Sustainability) values by all staff in the division

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Advanced university degree required in social or management sciences. Specialized training in strategic planning or management is a requirement.
• Work Experience: At least 10 years of international work experience in development planning, corporate strategy and programme management, of which at least five years of progressive experience in UNICEF or a reputable international organization, preferably including at the policy and strategic levels.
• At least 3 years of field experience with UNICEF or a reputable international organization.
• Demonstrated maturity in judgment, team building skills, outstanding people skills; good facilitator skills, good knowledge and skills in using tools for policy presentations, planning and the networking of strategic information.
• Extensive experience with results-based management tools and processes including development of results-chains, logical frameworks, theories of change and related tools.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Language Requirements: Excellent spoken and written English is essential. Good command of at least one other UN language is desirable.

Desirables:

Candidate would also ideally have the following:

• Ability to provide intellectual leadership on cutting edge corporate planning issues like value for money assessment, measurement and reporting.
• Extensive experience working with donors and the global level on substantive results issues.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others

(8) Nurtures, leads and manages people

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

In this role, you will collaborate with colleagues across multiple locations. For effective collaboration, we encourage flexible working hours that accommodate different time zones while prioritizing staff wellbeing.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

How to Apply
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Good luck!