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, a future

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How can you make a difference?

Having secured funding from the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and other major donors to implement programme interventions in Afghanistan, the ACO is looking for a Programme Manager who will focus on managing Implementing Partnerships and HACT. The Programme Manager will be responsible for ensuring an agile implementing partnerships and related risk management strategy is in place; will provide oversight, quality assurance and technical support on the management of strategic implementing partnerships and application of the respective operational policies and procedures, including the selection and due diligence on potential partners, entering into programme cooperation agreements and preparing programme documents, managing or conducting assessment, monitoring and assurance activities, managing the budgets and financial reporting related to the partnerships. The Programme Manager is also responsible for ensuring efficient data and reporting systems are in place. As part of the overall management approach, the Programme Manager is required to maintain a close partnership and dialogue with the relevant ACO Programme Sections. The Programme Manager will supervise at least two (2) Programme Officers (Implementing Partnerships and HACT) and a Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Implement an effective and agile implementing partnership and risk management strategy:

• Develop, apply, and continuously update an agile strategy for managing and implementing partnerships and related risks- the strategy will go beyond compliance with existing policies and procedures and aim to effectively and efficiently manage partnerships and cash transfers in the complex and high-risk environment of Afghanistan with demanding timelines;
• Ensure required measures are in place to support the capacity building of implementing partners.
• Design, and implement an agile monitoring and assurance strategy, taking into consideration the distinctive programming context and operating environment in Afghanistan.

2. Ensure partnership management:

Working in close collaboration with ACO Programme Sections and PMU colleagues, provide technical support and manage the following processes:

• Selection of implementing partners and due diligence
• Formalization of partnerships and assessment of implementing partners
• Supporting to address the capacity needs of the implementing partners
• Transfer resources and follow up on related reporting
• Monitor implementation, ensure assurance activities are conducted, and follow up on the result of monitoring and assurance activities
• Formal closure of partnerships and provide recommendations on future strategic partnerships.

3. Ensure effective coordination and partnerships for efficient project management:

• Collaborate closely with Programme Sections to develop partnership opportunities, and selection criteria and carry out the selection process; co-develop programme documents or humanitarian programme documents as relevant;
• Collaborate with Programme Sections/Programme Managers and Field Office staff on developing a plan and conducting joint field monitoring visits to verify programme implementation activities (PMU) and the quality of programmes implemented (Programme Sections);
• Collaborate with the Operations Section to timely create and manage implementing partners’ records, ensure timely disbursement of funds and manage related budgets and financial reports;
• Ensure availability of timely, accurate and quality data against indicators and result targets relating to PMU managed project implementation, and relevant monitoring reports, including from Third Party Monitoring (TPM) and Post Distribution Monitoring (PDM).
• Submission of accurate and quality data for reporting to the Programme sections, including to inform donor reporting.
• Collaborate with the Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation section on contributing to the ACO HACT implementation, manage assessment and assurance activities and follow-up on their results.
• Collaborate with the ACO Risk Management Focal Points, to support risk management processes, including to report/escalate risks associated with project implementation.
• Ensure regular engagement with the Programme Sections to review challenges to implementation and where relevant propose recommendations for approval.
• As and when required, support donor engagement alongside the Programme Sections.
• Ensure effective documentation management systems are in place.

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

• Advanced University degree (Master’s) in international development, data analytics, international development, business administration, financial management, social sciences, public administration, or other relevant areas of study
• Eight years of relevant professional work experience.
• Experience in emergency programmes is an asset.
• Experience in entering and managing implementing partnerships is required.
• Experience in managing financial or programmatic risks is required.
• Experience in the development of policies, procedures, standard operating procedures, strategies, or plans is required.
• Experience in managing programmes or projects is required.
• Experience in managing a team is required.
• Fluency in English as a working language. Knowledge of another UN 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(8)Nurtures, leads and manages people.

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:

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.

This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is:a role with direct contact with children, works directly with children, is a safeguarding response role.Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) applies.

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.

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

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.

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.