Programme Specialist

How can you make a difference?

Under the guidance of the supervisor, accountable for programme, planning, design, implementation and administration of specific projects within a major programme, in accordance with the Country Programme Recommendation and Country Programme Management Plan, focused on achievement of UNICEF’s Priorities. The Programme specialist will accomplish this by:

Knowledge Management for Programmes

• Ensure that area/country programmes are strengthened 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.
• Participate in information exchange through donor and media visits as well as in the development of training and orientation materials.

Programme Development and Management

• Contribute to the preparation of the Situation Analysis for programme development. Administer a consistent and transparent monitoring system, providing accurate analysis of country level socio-political- economic trends and their implications for ongoing programmes and projects. Support preparation of programme work plans as required. Responsible for preparation of program recommendations for inclusion informal programme documentation, and new approaches, methods and practices.
• Work collaboratively with the youth & adolescents area that is strongly linked with the education area, in order to optimize strategies, funds and results achievement.
• Guarantee the application of the LGPD – General Law in data protection in relation to the data of adolescents and young people, as well as people and partners of the 1Mio initiative.
• Promote fundraising strategies aligned with the Resource, Mobilization & Partnerships area, to identify national and international opportunities to finance the 1MiO initiative and its respective activities.

Optimum Use of Programme Funds

• Assist in establishing programme work plans and monitors progress and compliance.   Help to manage allocation and disbursement of programme funds, ensuring that funds are properly coordinated, monitored and liquidated. Takes appropriate actions to optimize use of programme funds. Ensure programme efficiency and delivery through transparent approach to programme planning, monitoring and evaluation.

Programme Monitoring and Evaluations

• Undertakes field visits to monitor and assess programme implementation and decides on required corrective action.
• Carry out a rigorous and transparent approach to evaluation and participate the major programme evaluation exercises in consultation with the Representative, the Operations Officer, the Evaluation Officer and others to improve efficiency and quality of programme delivery.
• Participate in regular sector review meetings with government counterparts.
• Ensure the timely preparation of midterm and annual programme status reports.

Rights-Based and Results-Based Programme Management Approach

• Assure the quality of adolescents and youth  rights-based programmes through consistent and effective planning, design, implementation, monitoring and/or evaluation of programmes and projects. Bring coherence, synergy and added value to the programming planning and design processes using a results-based management approach to programme design.
• Ensure viable recommendations on project implementation, alternative approaches, and optimal utilization of resources that contribute effectively to the fulfilment of the rights of adolescents and youth, and recommendations on new programme initiatives and management issues to ensure achievement of stated objectives.

National and Local Capacity Building/Sustainability

• Provide government authorities with technical supports and guidance to plan and organize training programmes for the purpose of capacity building and programme sustainability.
• Ensure the building or 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.
• Strengthen the engagement of private sector, governments, and civil society with the 1 MiO (GenU) initiative to jointly built their capacities foster their capacity building to generate opportunities for adolescents and youth from vulnerable backgrounds.

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

• Conducts policy analysis from adolescent’s and youth’s rights perspective and advocacy at the community and family levels for credibility in national and international policy debates. Promote the organization goals of UNICEF through advocacy and policy dialogue.

Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration

• Develop partnerships 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. Establish and maintain linkage to the Regional Programme Knowledge Network to ensure the availability of current and accurate programme data.
• Collaborate with the Operations Section to establish and maintain sound internal controls supportive of programming endeavors and to coordinate financial and supply management requirements and accountability.
• Maintain collaboration with Regional Advisers and HQ Officers for effective overall coordination on programmes.
• 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.
• Ensure coordination and integration of 1MiO with the programs developed by education section, such as “successful school pathway”, “school active search”, “protective education” and others relevant initiatives.
• Support fundraising led by the PFP area, seeking funds from NetComs and GenU HQ. Support fundraising with LACRO and NY HQ. Coordinate donor visits to the BCO and to projects implemented in Brazil, participate regularly in meetings with donors and prepare reports for donors.

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

• Education:  An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: Social Sciences, International Relations, Government, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or another relevant technical field.
• Experience: Five years of relevant professional work experience with productive inclusion programs for Young and Adolescents.
• Strong ability in establishing relationships with government, private sector, and NGOs and implementing Programme Projects.
• Language: Fluency in English and Portuguese is required. Knowledge of Spanish is an asset.

Source: https://jobs.unicef.org/cw/en-us/job/574706