National Consultancy – Programme Coordinator, Gilgit- Baltistan (12 months)

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, Commitment!

Pakistan was the sixth country in the world to sign and ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child, less than one year after it was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989. However, children and adolescents living in Pakistan still face acute challenges. 

UNICEF supports the Government of Pakistan to accelerate progress for children, work to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and help children realize their rights under the Convention on the Rights of Children. This will be made through, among others things, strong partnerships with provincial authorities, teachers and health professionals, frontline workers and social mobilizers, communities and families, and of course, the children and adolescents themselves. 

In particular, UNICEF will work so that:

• Every child survives and thrives — being in good health, immunized, protected from polio, and accessing nutritious food.
• Every child learns.
• Every child is protected from violence and exploitation and registered at birth.
• Every child lives in a safe and clean environment, with access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation.

To learn more about UNICEF work in Pakistan, please visit the country website, www.unicef.org/pakistan, and videos on YouTube and Vimeo.

Under the guidance of the Deputy Representative (Programme), the Programme Coordinator (Gilgit Baltistan) is accountable for managing and leading the total programme commitment of the GB Province. The coordinator will represent UNICEF, leading and overseeing the various programs implemented with the different sectors, ensuring the delivery of quality results in accordance with UNICEF’s program, more specifically the rolling work plan and overall vision set forward by the Representative.

Tasks/ Milestones:

1. Effective management of UNICEF presence, staff and assets

2. Knowledge Management for Programmes

3. Programme Development and Management

4. Optimum Use of Program Funds

5. Programme Monitoring and Evaluations

6. Rights-Based and Results-Based Programme Management Approach

7. Provincial and Local Capacity Building/Sustainability

8. Rights Perspective and Advocacy at the National, Community and Family Levels

9. Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration

Deliverables against each task/ milestone:

1 a. Represent UNICEF in GB, by participating in meetings and events, moving forward the agenda for children.

1 b. Facilitate, take and implement measures to ensure safety and security of UNICEF staff and assets.

c. Effectively lead the team of GB focal points and contribute in managing their performance and conduct to deliver results for children

• The consultant will share monthly report on coordination meetings conducted, participation in Govt. stakeholders meeting
• The consultant will share quarterly financial report on the utilization of rolling workplans

2 a. Ensure that GB programmes are supported by knowledge management through data collection and analysis, complete and accurate reporting as well as participation in the Programme Knowledge Network system of “lessons learned” and other corporate-level databases.

2 b. Participate in information exchange through donor and media visits as well as in the development of training and orientation material.

• Report on lessons learnt, support development of case studies and statistics on key programme indicators to inform Programme interventions.

3 a. Identify critical intervention points and measures by administering a consistent and transparent monitoring system; analyse Province level socio-political-economic trends and their implications for ongoing programmes and projects.

3 b. Draft changes to/or prepare programme work plans as required. Prepare program recommendations for inclusion in formal programme documentation, and new approaches, methods and practices.

 3 c. Establishes programme workplans, monitors compliance and provides training, support and guidance to the programme team in order to meet objectives. Identifies human resources requirements and on-going staff development needs.

3 d. Reviews and evaluates the technical, institutional and financial feasibility and constraints of programme/projects in collaboration with Government and other partners.

3 e. Prepares relevant programme reports required for management, donors, budget reviews, programme analysis, annual reports, etc.

• The consultant will adopt and maintain UNICEF M&E framework
• RWP prepared for 2025-2026
• eport for the implementation of 2024 RWP.

4 a. Establish and supervise programme work plans and monitor progress and compliance.

4 b. Monitor the overall allocation and disbursement of programme funds, making sure that funds are properly coordinated, monitored and liquidated. Take appropriate actions to optimize use of programme funds.

 4 c. Ensure programme efficiency and delivery through a rigorous and transparent approach to programme planning, monitoring and evaluation.

•             Monthly reports on programme fund utilization status

5 a. Undertake field visits and ensure that assigned programme focal points conduct field visits to monitor and assess programme implementation and decides on required corrective action.

5 b. Carry out a rigorous and transparent approach to evaluate and participate in the major programme evaluation exercises in consultation with senior management, the Evaluation Specialist and others to improve efficiency and quality of programme delivery.

 5 c. Participate in annual sector review meetings with government counterparts.

• Ensure the timely preparation of annual program status reports.
• Develop and maintains travel plan
• Mission reports prepared and shared with relevant stakeholders.

6 a. Adopt rights-based programmes approach in the formulation of programme goals and objectives and development of strategies and implementation frameworks.

6 b. Formulate consistent and effective planning, design, implementation, monitoring and/or evaluation of programmes and projects.

6 c. Bring coherence, synergy and added value to the programming planning and design processes using a results-based management approach to programme planning and design.

• Prepare and submit viable recommendations on project implementation report, alternative approaches, and optimal utilization of resources that contribute effectively to the fulfilment of the rights of children and women, and recommendations on programme, new initiatives and management issues to ensure achievement of stated objectives.

7 a. Provide authorities and service providers with technical support and guidance to plan and organize training programmes for the purpose of capacity building and programme sustainability.

7 b. Ensure the building and reinforcing of the commitment and institutional capacities of the national and local partners starting with taking a strategic approach to the identification of these partners and partnerships.

•  Capacity building initiatives rolled out

8 a. Conduct policy analysis from a children’s and women’s rights perspective and advocacy at the government, community and family levels for elevating credibility in national and international policy debates.

8 b. Promote the organization goals of UNICEF through active advocacy and communication in line with UNICEF national advocacy guidelines and strategy.

•  Report on policy analysis shared

9 a. Develop partnership and collaboration with internal and external counterparts, including those of the UN and national partners, in order to improve the ability to collect and disseminate development data and information, exchange information on programme/ project status and implementation and movement/distribution of supplies.

9 b. Provide linkage to the Provincial Programme Knowledge Network to ensure the availability of current and accurate programme data.

9 c. Collaborate with the Operations Section to establish and maintain sound internal controls supportive of programming endeavours and to coordinate financial and supply management requirements and accountability.

9 d. Maintain close collaboration with heads of sectoral programmes in the CO, Regional and HQ advisers for effective overall coordination on programmes.

9 e. Plans, develops and implements sectoral programme(s) by collaborating with the government and other partners. Provide leadership in provision of technical advice, negotiation, advocacy and promotion of area/country level goals, leading to agreement on practicable and priority actions to be supported by UNICEF programme and country level cooperation.

Deliverables to be achieved in line with specified timelines.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Social Sciences, International Relations, Government, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or another relevant technical field
  *A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
• Two years of relevant professional work experience is required in  programme planning, management and coordination.
• Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset.
• Background/familiarity with emergency is considered as an asset
• Skills in Stakeholder’s management required.
• Knowledge of methodology of programme/ project management
• Knowledge of gender quality and diversity awareness
• Knowledge of global human rights issues specifically relating to women and children
• Knowledge of relevant programme approaches for interventions.
• Expertise in financial management and report is an asset.
• Strong communication skills.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

 To view our competency framework, please visit here. 

  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.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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. 

Remarks:  

• Estimated Duration: 12 months
• Applicants must submit a financial quotation indicating a monthly fee as part of the application against each deliverable.
• At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.