Implementing Partnership Management Specialist, P4, Fixed-Term, UNICEF MENA Regional Office, (89280)

Under the direct supervisor of the Chief Risk Management, the Implementing Partnership Management Specialist provides oversight, quality assurance and technical support to the management of implementing partnerships and compliance with the respective operational policies and procedures and mainstreaming of risk-based implementing partnership management in the region.

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.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, Results

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the Organization does — in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing 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 more 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.

How can you make a difference?

The Implementing Partnership Management Specialist provides oversight, quality assurance and technical support to the management of implementing partnerships and compliance with the respective operational policies and procedures and mainstreaming of risk-based implementing partnership management in the region.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:  

1. Support to implementing partnership management
2. Oversight and quality assurance
3. Fraud Risk Management
4. Analysis, monitoring and reporting
5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

1. Support to implementing partnership management

• Provide technical assistance to country offices in the formalization of partnerships with government, civil society organizations and other implementing partners in line with relevant policies, procedures and guidelines including the CSO procedure and guidance on work plans.
• Provide technical assistance to country offices in the. implementation of HACT in line with the HACT Policy and Procedure and other relevant organizational policies, procedures and guidelines, including the Finance and Administrative Policy 5: Cash Disbursements Supplement 3- Cash Transfers (HACT).
• Guide, advise and support country offices in HACT processes and the development of country level assessment and assurance plans.
• Guide, advise and support country offices in the use of UNICEF tools and systems (i.e. eTools, InSight, VISION) as it relates to implementing partnership management.
• Support COs in strengthening risks management related to Implementing Partnerships and HACT activities, making sure that (i) systemic issues are identified, analyzed and addressed holistically across the region, (ii) linkages with other work streams (partnerships/Donor relations, supply/procurement, finance and administration, human resources, planning and monitoring, emergency, etc..) are systematically pursued and strengthened for coherent and synergized risks management efforts.

1. Oversight and quality assurance

• Provide oversight and ensure quality assurance process are in place on the implementation of HACT assurance activities and the use of the FACE form at the country level. This includes the quality of assurance reports and follow-up and escalation of findings of assurance activities consistent with the HACT Procedure.
• Provide oversight and ensure quality assurance processes are in place on the implementation of the CSO Procedure. This includes ensuring that partners are selected in accordance with the CSO Procedure, time limits for operationalizing partnerships are met, especially in humanitarian responses, results are clearly articulated and SMART and budgets reflect actual requirements for achieving results.
• Contribute to or lead joint Operations and Programmes peer reviews to assess gaps in risks management and address them, as well as good practices that can be expanded across the region.
• Advise the management on actions to be taken to enforce and strengthen accountabilities for a robust, responsive and transparent governance framework.

1. Fraud Risk Management

• Lead in collecting evidence to respond to OIAI’s queries when initially assessing allegations of fraud and misconduct or during actual investigations.
• Advise the management on lessons learned from investigations and measures to be taken accordingly.
• Ensure the implementation of the global anti-fraud strategy, suggest internal fraud prevention mechanisms and alert the management on any fraudulent issues as well as unethical behaviors detected.
• Lead the process of Fraud risk training / orientation to Partners and suppliers.

1. Analysis, monitoring and reporting

• From a regional perspective, monitor and report on the status of HACT implementation at the country level using corporate tools and systems such as eTools and InSight and identify high risk areas requiring special support.
• Prepare regional reports for Regional Office and Headquarters as may be required.
• Analyze and monitor cash transfers at regional and country level.

1. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Support and facilitate country office capacity and knowledge exchange on in-country implementing partnerships management intra-office processes.
• Support and facilitate country office capacity development activities of staff and implementing partners on implementing partnership management with a special focus on implementation of HACT and CSO Procedures.
• Identify and share good practices on implementing partnership management in general and HACT and CSO partnerships in particular; and interact with NYHQ and other agencies at global, regional and country level on matters concerning implementing partnership management.
• Promote HACT in regional senior management and other forums, building awareness, promoting good practice and highlighting areas of risk.
• Support ERM exercises with a particular emphasis on ensuring that risks for implementing partnership management are appropriately identified and relevant mitigating measures put in place and considering the larger risk picture in the region and countries.
• Support country offices in the roll-out and implementation of eTools for implementing partnership management, in coordination with relevant staff.

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

Education: 

An Advanced University Degree in Development studies, Economics, International Development, and Programme/Project Management, Business Administration, Financial Management, Auditing or other relevant field is required.

Experience:

A minimum of eight years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: programme development/management, financial planning and management, or another related area.

Language:

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, French) is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF Competencies required for this post are:

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (2)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (2)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

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’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable from donor are 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.

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.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.