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, future!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7U4zbz24HQ

How can you make a difference?

The incumbent will serve as a technical lead for the UNICEF Afghanistan Project Management Unit (PMU) and will the ensure that the UNICEF PMU has useful, valid, and reliable information on Humanitarian cash-based interventions and to support in developing monitoring capacity of Implementing partners and third-party service providers. Under the guidance of the PMU implementing Partnership HACT Manager, the incumbent will ensure the development of project monitoring and evaluation systems for conditional and non-conditional cash-based interventions and other supported projects. The incumbent will monitor the progress and quality of the implementation process and regularly report the findings, contributing towards an effective implementation process for quality project design. To achieve this, he/she will be required to be familiar with project operational manuals and technical annexes, Standard Operational Procedures; Specifically, the protocols and procedures and the deliverables of each service provider in line with the agreed terms of implementation. Ensure compliance and irregularities monitoring as part of the broader programme risk and quality assurance systems.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

The incumbent will serve as a technical lead for the UNICEF Afghanistan Project Management Unit (PMU) and will the ensure that the UNICEF PMU has useful, valid, and reliable information on Humanitarian cash-based interventions and to support in developing monitoring capacity of Implementing partners and third-party service providers.

Under the guidance of the PMU implementing Partnership HACT Manager, the incumbent will ensure the development of project monitoring and evaluation systems for conditional and non-conditional cash-based interventions.

The incumbents will monitor the progress and quality of the implementation process and regularly report the findings, contributing towards an effective implementation process for quality project design. To achieve this, he/she will be required to be familiar with project operational manuals and technical annexes, Standard Operational Procedures; Specifically, the protocols and procedures and the deliverables of each service provider in line with the agreed terms of implementation. Ensure compliance and irregularities monitoring as part of the broader programme risk and quality assurance systems.

1. Under guidance from the implementing Partnership HACT Manager, ensure that UNICEF PMU and relevant Cash Transfer Project Partners have a well-prioritized monitoring system that will provide the most relevant and timely information to monitor the PMU Cash-based interventions.

2. Provide technical assistance for developing project performance indicators and design of monitoring systems including data collection tools for UNICEF’s Cash Transfer project funded by World Bank among other donors.
3. Undertake process monitoring to assess whether the processes of project delivery including communication and field facilitation, Payment delivery and Grievance and Redressal Mechanisms are operating according to the Operations Manual/ToR and in line with the plan of action. Bring to attention any major issues identified during field monitoring including fraud, mishandling and misappropriation.

4. Conduct analysis of reported challenges, identify trends on issues arising and problematic areas and report back to the PMU. Provide a periodic update on the progress (qualitative and quantitative) of the project, highlighting the situation, issues, and challenges. Share collected information on activities with the PMU Programme Specialists – Cash Transfers on a continual basis and update the Issues log with follow-up information.
5. Project and contract management of Third-Party Monitoring function of the project.

• Provide technical support and inputs on the ToRs of the Third-Party Monitoring, assessment of technical proposal based on agreed criteria, and selection of the third party for monitoring.
• Coordinate/ liaise with Third Party as required and provide technical inputs for the development of monitoring plans and ensure that performance monitoring, spot checks are being undertaken as per the plan.

• Work closely with TPMO to prepare routine reports on results of the project’s progress and for development of protocols for data confidentiality, exchange, security, and archiving.
• Organize capacity development of project partners particularly third-party monitoring as needed to ensure that they have the basic knowledge and skills in understanding and applying M&E policies, tools, and methods to fulfil their responsibilities.
• Seek inputs from the project beneficiaries to identify any issues problems with the Payment, Grievance, Facilitation, Third Party Monitoring.
• Conduct post distribution activities and monitoring to understand utilization and outputs of the cash-based interventions implemented by the PMU.
• Work with TPMO on protocols for data confidentiality and exchange, security, and archiving.

6.  Disseminate findings of field monitoring and recommendations to the intended audiences in a user-friendly manner.
7. As required, conduct field monitoring and analysis of selected cases by the PMU for unusual or atypical results and provide feedback to the PMU.
8. Ensure project planning and monitoring of training activities provided by PMU Management and to service provider organization and monitor subsequent training sessions of Service Provider Organizations’ field staff.
9. Organize stock-taking and review exercise to document lessons, identify gaps and provide recommendation to improve project design.
10. Responsible for ensuring the latest programme monitoring and evaluation theory, methodology, technology, and tools are applied for the cash-based intervention implemented by PMU.
11. Spearhead and develop research and impact assessments. Also collaborate with Regional M&E Advisers and UNICEF relevant Office for overall coordination of priority research, monitoring and evaluation activities, especially those of regional scope requiring the coordinated effort of multiple countries.

– As requested by the PMU, support in conducting ad hoc and rapid situation analysis in selected locations covered by the PMU cash-based interventions project, addressing issues related to, i.e., socio-economic conditions, security, infrastructure, access, and the presence of internally displaced persons.

– Additional tasks as requested by the supervisor

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

• Advanced university degree in social sciences, statistics, development management and planning or any other relevant field.
• Professional work experience in programme development and implementation including monitoring and evaluation activities:
• Five years of relevant professional work experience in information management and monitoring is required.
• Experience in establishing and supervising large Third-Party Monitors (TPM) contracts is preferred
• Exposure to emergency programming, including preparedness planning and monitoring and active involvement in a humanitarian crisis response programme is preferred.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

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.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

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 benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
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 promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also 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 cancelled.

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.

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Eligible UNICEF International Professional (IP) Staff Members on fixed-term, continuing or permanent contracts applying to a Temporary Appointment, which is dedicated to L3 (or L2) Response, may be able to retain a lien and their fixed-term entitlements. The conditions of the temporary assignment will vary depending on the status of their post and their current tour of duty, and relocation entitlements may be limited as per the relevant policies.