Planning Specialist, P3, Fixed Term, Kabul, Afghanistan, Post#127398

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, future!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N14_XNH8Mqs

How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision of the Chief Planning, Monitoring and Data (PMD), the Planning Specialist is responsible for coordinating the formulation, planning, and design, of the country programme, in collaboration with the sectoral programme chiefs and the external relations/communication officer. The Planning Specialist is accountable for the accomplishment of key results in, rights and results-based management, knowledge management and preparation of programme management reports.

Key functions, accountabilities, and related duties/tasks:

Planning:

• Provide technical support to the development of the Country Programme
• Provide technical support to ensure that a set of programme performance indicators are identified and adjusted as necessary, with inputs of all concerned partners in the context of development of Annual Work Plans, as outlined in the Programme Policy and Procedures Manual/PPPX.
• Support the development of United Nations Sustainable Development Coordination Framework (UNSDCF) and the Country Programme Document (CPD) from a sound results-based programming process.
• Provide guidance to the Office on the application of the procedure and guidance for Country Programme Planning (CPX).
• Coordinate the development, quality assurance and entry of work plans for programme sections into the electronic Work Plan (eWP) platform in line with the Office accountability framework for central and field office levels.

Situation analysis:

• Contributes towards the preparation of the Situation Analysis by compiling data, analyzing and evaluating information to inform various country programme management processes.

Corporate reporting:

• Drawing on monitoring and analysis of key programme performance and management indicators.
• provide professional input to management reports, including relevant sections of the end of year narrative annual reporting process.
• Lead processes related to the CSIs, end of year summary narrative, CRAVE, RAM and all programme related end of year processes.
• Lead in the establishment of and maintenance of planning tools which enhance all planning processes in the office (Work Plans, Annual Management Plans, Reviews, strategy meetings, etc.).
• Lead in organizing documentation and presentations for programme coordination meetings and Country Management Team meetings.

Capacity development:

• Collaborate to implement planning related capacity building strategies for all programme staff.
• Utilize a range of appropriate skills building strategies including self-learning, seminars and workshops and practical experience in order that UNICEF personnel have the basic knowledge and skills in understanding and applying UNICEF policies, procedures, tools, methods to fulfil their responsibilities. Similarly, design and implement strategies suited to the skills needs of national partners.
• Provide technical support to ensure that the RRBM and planning capacities of Country Office staff and national partners – are strengthened enabling them to increasingly engage in and lead programme planning processes.

Knowledge management

Undertake lessons-learned reviews on successful and unsuccessful practices and experience at the national level, and ensure they are shared as appropriate.  Similarly, pay attention to knowledge networks to identify innovations and lessons learned that may be relevant for the CO and partners to improve programme planning and implementation.

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

• Advanced university degree in social sciences, development planning, statistics, or a related technical field.
• Five years of progressively responsible professional work experience at the national and international levels in programme planning
• Experience working with the UN including supporting development of UNSDCF or equivalent frameworks
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, 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…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness(3)Drive to achieve results for impact(4)Innovates and embraces change(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity(6)Thinks and acts strategically(7)Works collaboratively with others (8)Nurtures, leads and manages people.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework 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.
We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
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 promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. 

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.

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

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also 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 cancelled.

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.

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.