JOB DETAILS

Under the guidance of the Deputy Representative, Programmes you will be accountable for the effective management of local governance programme delivery, partnerships, and advocacy. You will oversee, support, and coordinate programming in the Amazon and Northeast regions of Brazil to achieve country programme results. This involves supporting UNICEF SEAL and Agenda Cidade UNICEF (ACU) through seven zone offices (ZOs). Additionally, the role includes establishing and maintaining institutional relations with state and municipal authorities across 18 states, coordinating advocacy and representation functions, and supporting resources mobilization strategies to meet funding needs.

The post holder will be expected to:

1. Provide strategic leadership in Local Governance: Develop UNICEF Brazil’s local governance strategy to advance the rights of children by setting the annual work plan for the team, aligning with sector technical teams, and ensuring that targets and priorities are met. Participate in strategic programme discussions and planning to provide technical advice and to contribute to policy discussions and agenda setting to ensure that local governance perspectives, issues and realities are integrated in sectoral work and whole of office documents.
2. Coordinate the effective planning, implementation and monitoring of UNICEF policy and programme strategies at State and Municipal level: Oversee and support the development of annual work plans for zone offices, setting priorities and targets in coordination with sector technical teams. Monitor progress to ensure results are achieved on schedule. The role includes deploying technical staff, identifying strategic objectives and challenges, and coordinating work planning, target setting, and reporting. Establish monitoring benchmarks and performance indicators, coordinate program delivery, support knowledge management, participate in emergency preparedness, and keep abreast of socio-economic and political trends to inform UNICEF’s sub-national work.
3. Advocacy, networking, and partnership building: Oversee and support ZO Chiefs in building effective partnerships at state and municipal levels with government counterparts, national stakeholders, global partners, allies, donors, and academia, ensuring UNICEF’s integrity. Maintain a robust network with various authorities to facilitate communication and establish local governance relationships. Through networking, advocacy, and communication, they will build capacity and exchange knowledge to achieve programme goals on child rights, social justice, and equity. Additionally, develop communication materials for advocacy and fundraising, and represent UNICEF in inter-agency discussions to ensure organizational priorities are integrated into development planning.
4. Programme Management and Strategic Oversight: Provide strategic oversight on government affairs to advance UNICEF’s mission with elected officials. Ensure effective programme delivery at the field level, optimizing the use of resources and ensuring compliance with organizational rules and donor commitments. Support resource mobilization by including zone office needs in project proposals and funding appeals. The role includes acting as a focal point for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP), monitoring implementation, and supporting staff development. Participate in evaluations and reviews to assess progress, identify gaps, and recommend actions. Ensure risk-informed approaches, oversee staff safety and security, and prepare reports for management, donors, and partners to keep them informed of program progress.
5. Innovation, knowledge, management, and capacity building: Promote critical thinking, innovative approaches, and best practices for sustainable programme initiatives. Keep abreast of research, benchmark, and implement cutting-edge practices in local governance management and information systems, institutionalizing and sharing best practices and knowledge. Contribute to policy and procedure development, introducing innovations to enhance programme efficiency and efficacy. Additionally, lead, plan, and implement capacity-building initiatives to enhance stakeholder competencies, promoting sustainable results in local governance-related programs and projects.

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education:  An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: Social Sciences, Economics, Public Administration, International Relations, Public Health, Education, or other fields related to the work of UNICEF.
• Work Experience: i) A minimum of eight years of professional experience in planning and administration of social development programmes, at the national and international level, including experience in management of human, financial and material resources. ii) Experience working in a developing country is required.
• Language Requirements:  Fluency in English and Portuguese is required.

Desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.
• Experience working at sub-national (state or municipal) levels is an asset.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered an asset.