How can you make a difference?
Establish and maintain an appropriate humanitarian coordination mechanisms
- Ensure all Child Protection (CP) relevant actors are engaged as Sector members and adhere to the Principles of Partnership;
- Produce sectoral reports and analysis;
- Regular updating of Mapping of child protection actors in north-east Nigeria and related sectors of interventions/capacities (5Ws and local partners including Community Based Child Protection Networks and Community Based Organizations);
- Maintain a coordination mechanism that facilitates the effective achievement of the Sector/AoR functions and the requirements of the Humanitarian Project Cycle (Humanitarian Need Overview, Humanitarian Response Plan and Cluster Coordination Performance Monitoring) and which builds on pre-existing coordination structures where appropriate and further the development of current or future national and subnational capacities;
- Build complementarity of partner actions within the Sector, proactively negotiating with partners to avoid and resolve duplication and gaps and harmonize actions and accountability;
- Ensure adequate resources are mobilized and are equitably allocated for the effective functioning of the Sector and its response;
- Effective and comprehensive integration of relevant cross-cutting issues, including age, gender, environment and HIV/AIDs;
- Maintain flexibility within the Sector to respond to changes in the operating environment, evolving requirements, capacities and participation;
- Effectively use and transfer information to, from and between Sector participants and other stakeholders.
Interact with other Sectors (including through inter-Sector coordination fora), humanitarian actors, government counterparts, and relevant authorities for operational planning, engagement and active contribution of operational partners:
- Participate in Protection, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Mine Action and other relevant AoRs meetings;
- Design a mainstreaming Child Protection matrix and advocate with other Sectors for Child Protection issues mainstreaming. Build partnerships with all relevant sector stakeholders including government counterparts and national authorities, local, national and international organizations, affected populations and other AoRs/Sectors especially UNICEF led (WASH, Nutrition and Education) and Health and Food Security and Livelihood.
- Ensure with Protection Sector that Child Protection issues are included in multi-sectoral assessments and initiatives
Where there is both a national and a sub-national Sector, the post holder will ensure that there is effective communication, reporting, engagement and coordination between the two levels.
Supporting service delivery
- Provide platforms to ensure that service delivery is driven by the agreed strategic priorities;
- Supervise and manage the Sector/AoR coordination team (i.e., Sector/AoR Co-coordinator, Yobe and Adamawa State Focal Points, CP Information Management Officer, Strategic Advisory Group, ect.); and
- Develop mechanisms to eliminate duplication of service delivery. Monitor performance of the core Sector/AoR functions.
Informing strategic decision-making of the HC/HCT for the humanitarian response
- Develop and regularly update a CP AoR strategy including objectives and indicators for CP response that are aligned with and support realization of the strategic priorities set out by the Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator for the overarching humanitarian response, the Child Protection Minimum Standards, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child;
- Analyse needs assessment data and work collaboratively with the Sector/AoR partners to create analytical products (reports, PowerPoints, briefs, etc.), based on evidence generated.
- Synthesize evidence and provide near real-time information to stakeholders to strengthen planning and implementation; and
- Analysis to identify and address (emerging) gaps, obstacles, duplication, and cross-cutting issues.
Planning and strategy development
- Develop sectoral plans, objectives and indicators directly support realization of the HC/HCT strategic priorities;
- Draw lessons learned and adapt strategies and action plans on a regular basis in response to the evolving situation; and
- Application and adherence to existing standards and guidelines Clarify funding requirements, prioritization, and cluster contributions to HC’s overall humanitarian funding considerations (Flash Appeal, CAP, ERF/CHF, CERF) Monitoring and reporting the implementation of the Sector strategy and results, recommending corrective action where necessary.
Advocacy
- Identify advocacy concerns to contribute to HC / HCT messaging and action;
- Undertaking advocacy activities on behalf of Sector/AoR participants and the affected population;
- Develop advocacy approaches/strategies for issues related to child protection that require sensitization of local authorities or donors and contribute to the development of key messages for broader humanitarian advocacy/messaging initiatives of the Protection Sector or the office of the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator.
Contingency planning/preparedness for recurrent disasters whenever feasible and relevant.
- Lead early warning, contingency planning, and emergency preparedness efforts for the Sector/AoR. Support development and updating of Child Protection interagency Sector Contingency Plans;
- Promote interagency/inter-sectoral Child Protection (CP) needs assessments, lead and participate in inter agency child protection assessments to identify priority child protection issues and advocate for delivery of appropriate response; and
- Identify response gaps and promote members’ response (including activation of provider of last resort).
Accountability to affected populations
- Be accountable to the affected population through effective and inclusive consultative and feedback mechanisms; and
- Lead the annual cluster coordination performance monitoring (CCPM) exercise and annual review and contribute to other sectoral and humanitarian evaluations as appropriate.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have
- An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law, or another relevant social science field.
- A minimum of eight years of professional experience in social development planning and management in child protection related areas, at the international level, is required.
- Relevant experience in programme development in child protection related areas in a UN system agency or organization.
- Prior experience in a similar role with a minimum of two years of experience of CP Cluster/AoR coordination is needed.
- Experience working in developing countries in emergency/humanitarian contexts away from country of residence is essential.
- Experience of demonstrating analytical and persuasive writing and reporting skills, editing skills, and the ability to convey complex information in a clear manner to a diverse audience is required.
- Ability to multi-task and deliver against workplan and tight deadlines.
- Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered an asset.
Deadline: 26 Aug 2023
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How can you make a difference?
Under the guidance and general supervision of the Education Manager, P4 the Specialist supports the development and preparation of the Education (or a sector of) programmes and is responsible for managing, implementing, monitoring, evaluating and reporting the progress of education programmes/projects within the country programme. The Specialist provides technical guidance and management support throughout the programming processes to facilitate the administration and achievement of results on education programmes/projects to improve learning outcomes and equitable and inclusive education, especially for children who are marginalised, disadvantaged and excluded in society.
The Specialist contributes to the achievement of results according to plans, allocation, results-based-management approaches and methodology (RBM), as well as UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance, and accountability framework.
Organizational Context and Purpose for the job
The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organisation does — in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasising the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.
Key functions, accountabilities, and related duties/tasks
Summary of key functions/accountabilities:
- Support to programme development and planning
- Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results
- Technical and operational support to programme implementation
- Networking and partnership building
- Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
Support to Programme development and planning
- Support the preparation, design and updating of the situation analysis for the education programmes to ensure that current and comprehensive data on education issues is available to guide UNICEF’s strategic policy, advocacy, intervention and development efforts on education programmes.
- Help the supervisor set priorities, strategies, design and implementation plans. Keep abreast of development trends to enhance Programme management, efficiency and delivery.
- Participate in strategic Programme discussions on the planning of education programmes. Formulate, design and prepare Programme proposals for the sector, ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s Strategic Plans and Country Programme and coherence/integration with the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), regional strategies and national priorities, plans and competencies.
- Establish specific goals, objectives, strategies and implementation plans for the sector using results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepare required documentation for Programme review and approval.
- Work closely and collaboratively with internal colleagues and partners to discuss strategies and methodologies and to determine national priorities to achieve concrete and sustainable results.
- Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes and to ensure integration, coherence and harmonisation of programmes/projects with other UNICEF sectors and achievement of results as planned and allocated
Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results
- Plan and collaborate with internal colleagues and external partners to establish monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators and other UNICEF/UN system indicators to assess/strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of concrete and sustainable results for the assigned sector on education programmes.
- Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, Programme reviews and annual reviews with the government and other counterparts to assess progress and to determine required action/interventions to achieve results.
- Prepare and assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths and weaknesses in Programme management.
- Identify lessons learned and use the knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals.
- Actively monitor programmes/projects through field visits and surveys, and exchange information with stakeholders to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems, and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution.
- Monitor and verify the optimum and appropriate use of sectoral Programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets) confirming compliance with organisational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity, ensuring timely reporting and liquidation of resources.
- Prepare regular and mandated Programme reports for management, donors and partners to inform them of programme progress.
Technical and operational support to Programme implementation
- Provide technical guidance and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and country office partners and donors on interpretation, application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices and approaches on education and related issues to support Programme management, implementation and delivery of results.
- Arrange/coordinate the availability of technical experts with the Regional Office/HQ to ensure timely and appropriate support throughout the programming process.
- Participate in education Programme meetings including Programme development and contingency planning to provide technical and operational information, advice and support.
- Draft policy papers, briefs and other strategic Programme materials for management use
Networking and partnership building
- Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with relevant government counterparts, national stakeholders, global partners, donors, and academia through active networking, advocacy and effective communication to build capacity, exchange knowledge/expertise and to reinforce cooperation to achieve sustainable and broad results on education programmes.
- Prepare communication and information materials for CO Programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships and support fundraising for education programmes.
- Participate and/or represent UNICEF in appropriate inter-agency (UNCT) discussions on education and related issues to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNDAF planning and preparation of programmes/projects ensuring organisational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the UNDAF process in development planning and agenda setting.
Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
- Apply and introduce innovative approaches and good practices to build the capacity of partners and stakeholders and to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable programme results.
- Keep abreast, research, benchmark, and implement best practices in education management. Assess, institutionalize and share best practices and knowledge learned.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programmes and projects.
- Organize and implement capacity-building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders to promote sustainable results on education and related programmes/projects.
Education:
A Bachelor’s or Advanced degree in one of the following fields is required: education, economics, psychology, sociology, or another relevant technical field.
Experience:
- A minimum of five years of professional experience (or 7 years of work experience in lieu of a master’s degree) in Programme planning, management, and/or research in education is required.
- Experience working in a developing country is considered an asset.
- Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
Language Requirements:
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.
Deadline: 22 Aug 2023
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