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For every child, the right to a Future

The position is located in Southern Afghanistan (Kandahar) and is responsible for planning, programme monitoring, Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT), Support the integrated programme initiative, Humanitarian Response and Basic Human Needs (BHN) programme, coordination and networking at sub-national level. The incumbent will report to the Chief of Field Office (CFO) and will supervise two staff members.

Purpose of Job

Under the guidance and supervision of the Planning and Monitoring Specialist NOC will provide support to and facilitate the planning and monitoring functions for the country programme. This will be done in close collaboration with other P&M Section members –and sectoral programme staff from Kabul and zonal offices.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES and DUTIES & TASKS

Within the delegated authority and under the given organizational set-up, the incumbent may be assigned the primarily, shared, or contributory accountabilities for all or part of the following areas of major duties and key end-results.

1.  Programme Planning

Support the Zonal Office and partners to develop an equity-focused, results-based and measurable ZO Programme and annual workplans that provide the basis for implementation, performance monitoring and reporting.

Duties & Tasks

·         Provide support in preparation, review and analysis of strategic programme planning processes and documentation, including Mid-Term Reviews at ZO, including a contribution to the development of the Country Programme Document (CPD), Programme Strategy Notes (PSNs), and facilitate ACO mid/end year reviews.

·         Supports the development of the country programme results framework, including indicators, baselines and targets, the identification of Programme Information Database (PIDB) codes, and quality assures its reflection in VISION.

·         Support and facilitate development of equity-focused, results-based and risk-informed work plans and review exercises of the same.

·         Lead the oversight of Programme Documents (PDs) to ensure HACT, ESS, gender and integration are well addressed.

·         Drawing on monitoring and analysis of key programme performance indicators, provide professional inputs to management reports including the ZO End of Year narrative report, including RAM and CSIs Work in close collaboration with the staff of the Planning and Monitoring section and other sections and zonal offices to provide technical support for establishing quality assurance mechanisms related to improved planning and effective use of planning tools in field offices in line with the results-based management principles and standards.

·         Support to design, plan and implement cash-based programming and social protection interventions, including through effective coordination among relevant implementing partners and Financial/Money Service Providers, and troubleshoot field level operational challenges.

·         Support Humanitarian Response and Basic Human Needs (BHN) programme planning in line with the Humanitarian Reset.

·         Support emergency program planning and humanitarian data analysis,

·         Support the ZO in area-based coordination, working closely with the Emergency Officer, OCHA and the humanitarian community.

·         Support programme integration initiative. Take leadership in coordinating the integration programme including reviews, working closely with ZO program officers to facilitate delivery of results.

·         Support ZO in Results Assessment Module planning.

·         Support periodic programme reviews at Zonal offices internally as well as with partners. Take the initiative to identify challenges or alternative courses of action to accelerate/improve programme delivery.

·         Support and facilitate the regular conduct of the ZO Programme Management Team meetings, with a focus on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and one on thematic issues.

·         Support planning, monitoring and reporting of joint UN initiatives and processes relating to the UNSDCF or One UN, including Durable Solutions.

·         Support CFO in managing the programme including the overall planning/work plans development,

·         Support the Field Office in area-based coordination, working closely with the Emergency Officer, OCHA and the humanitarian community.

·         Support programme management in one or two districts as assigned by the CFO.

2. Programme Monitoring

Ensure that the Zonal Office has quality information to assess progress towards expected results established in annual work plans.

Duties & Tasks

·         Provide technical support to the CFO and ZO staff to establish and roll-out programme monitoring mechanisms including mid-year and annual reviews, mid-term reviews, and other reviews as needed to record the progress and identify potential bottlenecks to be addressed by the programme sections and field offices.

·         Coordinate the Progamme and Zonal Management Team (ZMT) meetings to monitor KPIs, address and resolve issues.

·         Provide technical support and inputs on setting up programme monitoring systems/tools, including the use of digital platforms.  This includes field-monitoring, third-party monitoring (TPM) including for cash-based programmes, humanitarian performance monitoring and community-based monitoring.

·         Support programme staff and zonal offices in the implementation of the established programme monitoring system and provide inputs for regular adjustment of the standard operating procedures to ensure optimal monitoring results.

·         Ensure HACT monitoring for the ZO is well planned and implemented as an integral part of the ACO comprehensive monitoring system.

·         Facilitate Zonal Office contribution to the semi-annual and annual updates to the Results Assessment Module

·         Support the CFO in programme monitoring and reporting, coordinating Zonal Management Team Meetings, organizing mid-year and annual reviews, and other programme reviews.

·         Effectively plan monitoring of cash-based programming and social protection interventions, providing oversight to Beneficiary Registration and Payment Distribution processes undertaken by Implementing Partners and Financial Service Providers/Money Service Providers to ensure compliance with UNICEF requirements.

·         Effective day to day management of the grievance redressal mechanism for the humanitarian cash transfer initiatives, ensuring timely analysis of issues and escalation for decision making.

3. Planning and Monitoring Capacity Building

Ensure that the planning and monitoring capacities of Zonal Office staff and l partners –civil society – are based on evidence and the RBM principles thus enabling them to more effectively engage in planning and monitoring processes.

Duties & Tasks

·         Promote awareness and understanding of the shared responsibility of RBM among zonal staff members and partners through communication, training, learning and development activities region wide.

·         Support the Planning and Monitoring Section in development and implementation of a strategy/approach for RBM capacity building and adoption through a participatory process with sectoral and zonal staff as well as national partners.

4.  Coordination and Networking 

Ensure that the UNICEF Zonal Office is effectively linked to wider UNICEF P&M developments in a way that both contributes to and benefits from organizational learning on effective P&M management.

Duties & Tasks

·        Collaborate with Planning and Monitoring Section, peers from other UNICEF offices as well as with the UN agencies in the duty station, zonal offices and partners for overall coordination of priority planning and monitoring activities, especially those of national/subnational scope requiring the coordinated effort of multiple countries. For example, Durable Solutions

·        Partner with the relevant Planning and Monitoring Section staff at Zonal Office and Programme Sections to ensure that current and accurate planning and monitoring data and results are included in office reports and knowledge sharing networks at the Zonal level.

·        Undertake lessons-learned reviews on successful and unsuccessful planning and monitoring practices and experience at the subnational level and ensure they are shared as appropriate.

·        Liaise with Planning and Monitoring Section and other professional P&M knowledge networks to identify innovations and lessons learned that may be relevant for the ZO and partners to improve their P&M function.

Minimum requirements:

1. Education: Advanced university degree in social sciences, statistics, planning development, planning.

2. Work Experience: Five (5) years of progressively responsible relevant professional work experience at the national or sub-national level in programme planning, implementation, monitoring, budget monitoring. Field work experience is required. At least one instance of exposure to emergency programming, including preparedness planning is required. 

3. Skills:

• Programme monitoring and planning
• Data analysis and reporting
• Monitoring methodologies and statistical analysis
• Data management and interpretation
• Monitoring partnerships and international best practices
• Gender equality and diversity
• Team management, coaching and capacity building
• UNICEF monitoring policies, tools and procedures
• UNICEF mission, strategic framework and UN system knowledge 

4. Language Requirements: Fluency in English, and the national language of the duty station: Pashto and Dari are required. 

Desirables:

• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) is an asset.
• Practical experience in monitoring large programmes will be an asset.
• Active involvement in a humanitarian crisis response programme is preferred.
• Experience in cash-based programming, including effective coordination and risk-informed management of field level implementation of cash-transfers is an asset.
• Experience and knowledge in managing grievance redressal mechanisms for cash-based programming is an asset.
• Experience in managing Service Providers (i.e. Financial Service Providers, Third Party Monitors etc.) is an asset.
• Relevant country-level experience in development, fragile, or humanitarian settings. 

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.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable female applicants are highly encouraged to apply.

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.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

Visa residence requirements: i.e. UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.

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.

Applicants are requested to apply through the provided link: Vacancies | UNICEF Careers

Applications received via Jobs.af online portal will not be given consideration.