Planning & Monitoring Specialist

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

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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.

How can you make a difference? 

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 END-RESULTS:

1. Programme Planning: The Country Office and national partners have well-prioritised and realistic planning & monitoring activities, developed collaboratively, that provide all the relevant and strategic information needed to manage the Country Programme.

2. Programme Monitoring: Programme monitoring of the Country Programme yields quality information, collected and disseminated with the participation of all concerned partners, to assess progress towards expected annual and multi-year results.

3. Planning and Monitoring Capacity Building: The RBM and evidence-based planning and monitoring capacities of the Country Office staff and national partners – government and civil society – are enhanced with the contribution of UNICEF knowledge partners to meet the requirements of their positions.

4. Coordination and Networking: The UNICEF office is linked to wider UNICEF P&M developments in way that both contribute to and benefits from organizational learning on effective P&M management.

5. Emergency and nexus programme support: The UNICEF country office in Afghanistan support Emergency and Nexus Programme with focus on humanitarian response and basic human needs (BHN).

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES and DUTIES & TASKS:

1. Programme Planning

2. Programme Monitoring

3. Planning and Monitoring Capacity Building

4. Coordination and Networking 

5. Humanitarian Response and Basic Human Needs (BHN) programme

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 ACBAR Job online portal will not be given consideration.