Mission and objectives
The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, 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 all children the opportunity to fulfil 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.
Context
The Programme Officer (Executive) in the Afghanistan Country Office is considered as a supportive role to the Executive Specialist in the Office of the Representative. Their role centers on providing background research, analysis, and planning support to country-wide and organization-wide strategies. The incumbent is responsible for supporting the coordination, management, and planning activities for the Office of the Representative in a systematic and organized manner; managing an effective system for incoming information, including correspondence, decision memos, and other institutional documents that together constitute an important part of the organization’s archive; and lastly, supporting the drafting of work plans, annual reports, correspondence and other planning documents pertaining to the goals of the team.
Task description
Support to office priority setting and decision making:
• Assist in managing the flow of information to the supervisor, identifying priority matters that need to be urgently addressed by the supervisor and proposing actions; analyze supporting documentation and summarize most relevant points for the supervisor; contribute to ensuring that appropriate action is taken by responsible section/division heads on matters brought to the attention of the supervisor.
• Confer with section/division Heads to secure timely and authoritative information relevant to matters requiring action, decisions or approval of the supervisor.
• Ensure that the supervisor is prepared for meetings and missions by drafting talking points and by researching relevant information; and by establishing contacts (within and outside UNICEF) on the subject matters to be discussed.
• Accompany the supervisor to meetings and on missions in order to prepare notes on the discussions, ensure follow-up in matters raised, and support the supervisor with any relevant input.
• Contribute to coordinating drafts of position papers and other documents relevant to the activities of the office.
• Ensure that high-level visitors are appropriately addressed, that they receive background information as necessary, and that protocol is respected.
• Develop and maintain a monitoring system to store, retrieve and track critical correspondence, decisions, memoranda and other documents of the office. Support to office planning and operations:
• Research, collect and synthesize qualitative and quantitative information and data to support the establishment of comprehensive and evidence-based information for developing annual work-plans.
• Collect, draft and/or organize materials and related documentations for office strategies to ensure optimum impact, scale and sustainability of achievements/results.
• Assess and/or recommend appropriate information and materials for office initiatives verifying accuracy and quality for dissemination. Support to events, meetings and conferences:
• Prepare, distribute and maintain office event calendars ensuring key organisational and partner events, priorities and deadlines are reflected and updated as required.
• Contribute to preparations of logistics for events involving senior management participation. By participating in such meetings, follow up on the implementation of recommendations and actions by the relevant offices.
• Coordinate preparation of background documents and material for these meetings
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Applyied, integrated and documented systematically, in all activities throughout the assignment
• Facilitate Communication: Serve as a liaison between the Front Office and DEI focal points, ensuring clear and consistent communication.
• Event Calendar: Ensure DEI events are in the office calendar and are inclusive and accessible to all staff. • Data Reporting: Assist the Representative in analyzing data related to DEI metrics and if required, prepare reports and presentations, highlighting progress and areas for improvement.
• Promote Inclusive Practices: Advocate for inclusive practices in meetings, communications, and daily interactions.
• Monitor DEI Compliance: Review complies with relevant KPIs related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Feedback and Improvement: Suggest improvements based on feedback and evolving DEI trends.
Required experience
3 years of experience in external relations, public affairs or international development cooperation, preferably within the UN, or in a government institution, NGO.
• Prior experience of working in coordination, planning, or in an executive office will be an asset.
• Proven drafting and editing skills; excellent oral and written communication skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;
• High standards of integrity and confidentiality, and a proven ability to act with discretion and diplomacy is essential.
• Proven ability to work effectively and efficiently as a team, coping with pressure and setbacks, as well as responding and adapting to change.
• Strong analytical skills, drive for results, as well as planning and organizing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships.
• Ability to work proactively and with minimal supervision, following instructions, procedures and policies, and keeps to schedules delivering work on time.
• Excellent time management skills to deal with conflicting and urgent priorities.
• Good knowledge of standard office software and tools.
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required Dari, Level: Fluent, Desirable Pashto, Level: Fluent, Desirable
Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in International Relations, Political Science, Public Administration, or another relevant technical field.
How to apply
We will accept only online application.
Please apply via link : Programme Officer UVP (unv.org)