Programme Specialist, Polio, (NOC), Fixed Term # 95001, Islamabad – Pakistan

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 the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and help children realize their rights under the Convention on the Rights of Children. This will be made through, among other things, strong partnerships with provincial authorities, teachers and health professionals, frontline workers and social mobilisers, 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 Chief Polio, the incumbent is accountable for programme, planning, design, implementation and administration of specific projects within polio programme , in accordance with the National Emergency Action Plan for Polio Eradication , focussed on achievement of UNICEF’s Priorities.

The Programme Specialist will specifically focus on polio priority areas including outbreak response and working with other programme and sections for delivering essential services in polio-high risk districts and union councils. He/She will support coordination and facilitation of developing funding proposals, donor reports and progress and annual reports.  He/she will make independent decisions on corrective actions necessary to achieve the objectives in his/her area of responsibility. He/she supports the programme to undertake all priority activities towards achieving the PEI targets in Pakistan as guided by the National Polio Emergency Action Plan and in alignment within the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) strategy.

To make a difference, the incumbent shall be responsible for following key strategic functions, accountabilities and related duties/ tasks;

1. 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.

2. 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 in formal programme documentation, and new approaches, methods and practices.

3. 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.

4. 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 annual sector review meetings with government counterparts. 

Ensure the timely preparation of annual programme status reports.

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

Assure the quality of child 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 children and women, and recommendations on new programme initiatives and management issues to ensure achievement of stated objectives.

6. 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.

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

Conducts policy analysis from a children’s and women’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.

8. 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 endeavours and to coordinate financial and supply management requirements and accountability.

Maintain collaboration with. Health, Nutrition, SBC, and WASH programmes/sections within UNICEF and the NEOC team; track progress and results for improvement; support PEI-EPI synergy and field teams for data sharing for planning, implementing, monitoring, and documenting integrated services in the polio high-risk areas

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.

Prepare regular and mandated program/project reports for management, donors, and partners to inform them of program progress. Prepare funding proposals and donor reports by coordinating with the relevant teams and sections. Facilitate and assist in resource mobilization for delivering essential services, including polio vaccination, to benefit children with multiple deprivations and living in high-risk areas.

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

• 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, Health Sciences or another relevant technical field.
• Five years of relevant professional work experience is required in one of the following areas is required: public health planning and management, maternal and neonatal health care, or health emergency/humanitarian preparedness.
• Experience in planning and managing expanded programme on immunization is an asset.
• Experience working in intersectoral coordination across a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Background/familiarity with emergency is considered as an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another local language of the duty station is considered as 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

The 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

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

Life at UNICEF

Working at UNICEF is highly rewarding. With attractive remuneration package encompassing competitive pay and benefits, a culture that helps staff thrive and diverse opportunities for personal and professional development, we aim to help you maintain a fulfilling life both at and outside the office.

We make sure you and your loved ones receive the resources and care that you need to thrive. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. Our contracts, wellbeing policies and initiatives ensure that you are well equipped to effectively deliver for children such as;

• Tax exemption, family allowances, hardship benefits, 10 UN holidays and annual leave allowance, maternity, paternity, adoption leave, medical and dental insurance, pension etc.
• Career support, staff wellbeing programme, breastfeeding policy, flexible work arrangements, childcare room, family support, policies & initiatives, security etc.
• UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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 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:

• The vacancy announcement is open both to internal and external candidates.
• Verified/ attested educational certificates/ degrees by HEC/ foreign institutions are a pre-requisite for employment at UNICEF, as the case may be.
• 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 will be prioritized.
• 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.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.