Representative, D-2 at UNICEF

Purpose: 

The Representative serves as the accredited representative of the UNICEF Executive Director in the Country and reports to the Regional Director for general direction. The Representative is responsible for establishing dialogue with the government to develop the framework of cooperation in the country and for working closely and collaboratively with the government and national institutions, stakeholders and partners, to develop the UNICEF Country Program of Cooperation in support of UNICEF’s and national and international development efforts to advance children’s rights to survival, development and well being as established under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, international treaties/framework and UN intergovernmental bodies.

As Head of a large Country Office, the Representative is responsible for directing and guiding senior managers of large and complex programs/projects and operations supporting the Country Office (CO) programs, providing leadership and vision to the UNICEF country programme team in managing and leveraging resources for the achievement of results and fulfilment of the rights of children. The Representative directs and oversees the various program sectors and operational service teams ensuring delivery of quality results in accordance with the UNICEF Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework, ethics and integrity.

Minimum Requirements: 

An Advanced University Degree in social sciences, international relations, government and public relations, public or social policy, sociology, social or community development or other related fields, is required.

A minimum of 15 years professional development experience that combines intellectual and managerial leadership in development cooperation at the international level, some of which served in developing countries is required. Relevant professional experience in any UN system agency or organization is an asset.

Oral and written proficiency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset.

Remarks:
*This position is re-advertised as an outcome of SSRRE 2016.

Key function, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

• Developing and planning the Country Program
• Leading and managing the CO
• Monitoring and quality control of the Country Program
• Representation and external relations at global/national level
• Building alliance, resource mobilization and UN System coordination
• Leading innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
• Safety and security of staff, programs and organizational assets

Country Typology

• Nigeria is a middle-income country and the largest economy in Africa with a per capita GDP of about USD 2800 (2012 estimate). But it has made limited progress towards the achievement of MDGs consequently starting a lower base for the SDGs.
• A country with abundant natural resources of which oil plays a major role in terms of export and budget support, income inequality is high with 33% of the population living below the poverty line. Over-dependence on oil and sharp fall in fuel prices in the global market has caused pressure on the economy by way of reduced export, fall in the value of Naira and increase in the general price level. The escalating violence in the north-eastern part of the country over last five years left over 2.6 million displaced of whom 800,000 are children.
• The problems faced in the northern part of the country are different from those in the South and a differentiated strategy was adopted for the two parts of the country. Thus, the norther states need more service delivery and behaviour change and demand creation in addition to humanitarian interventions in the north-east; and south needs more upstream work, leveraging of resources and stronger advocacy initiatives for legal and policy changes.
• The Office has one of the largest programmes: the planned budget for the current Country programme (2014-2017) is USD 680 million and has 347 established posts. The Office operates with (9) nine Field Offices.

Person Profile

• A high visibility and complex duty station which requires solid understanding of UNICEF programmatic goals, visions, positions, policies and strategies, as well as government policies, guidelines, legislation and strategies related to UNICEF’s work.
• Solid understanding of right-based and results-based approach and programming with a focus on gender equality, diversity and equity.
• Varied experience dealing with the coordination of the broad programmes of national, regional and international scope.
• Very good people skills, building and maintaining relationships with partners, developing team commitment, communication, managing conflict and stress, leading and supervising.
• Maturity and sensitivity to handle difficult stakeholders in a highly complex environment. Very good experience dealing with emergency, staff safety and security.
• Solid leadership, managerial and coordination skills to provide guidance on strategic policy direction and programme initiatives in line with national development priorities, and the UN Development Assistance Framework and conflict related programming.
• Solid influencing skills and ability to advocate, communicate and deploy networking and to build alliances with all relevant regional networks and organizations, such as donors, NGOs, institutions, mass media and the film industry for fundraising and special events.
• Ability to implement vision and programme, DCT and HACT, leverage of external funding and PSFR.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of national conditions (economic, social and political) relating to country programmes.
• Blend of experience in headquarters, regional and field.

Applicants are requested to submit a Cover Letter, CV, and P.11 form (or eRecruitment Profile) to recruit.ssr@unicef.org by 22 April 2016.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.