Chief Field Operations, P-5, Fixed-Term, Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo
Job no: 562898
Position type: Fixed Term Appointment
Location: Democratic Republic of Congo Division/Equivalent: Dakar (WCAR), Senegal
School/Unit: Democratic Republic of Congo
Department/Office: Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo
Categories: Executive Management
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, results
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 fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. Therefore, 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.
DRC is facing multiple development and humanitarian challenges. Despite some progress made over the last number of years in the country in Context: the fields of child survival and development as well as child protection, none of the MDGs has been met. It will be a tremendous challenge for thecountry to achieve the SDGs by 2030. There are 3.8 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the country, of which two million are women and girls; in addition to nearly half a million refugees and multiple health epidemics including Ebola, Cholera, Measles and Polio, and underlying chronic malnutrition affecting children across the country. In addition, there are regional disparities in access and utilization of services by children, across the different age groups, 2 or more disparities were recorded in more than 75% of children in 4 regions. In the Katanga Region for example, more than 50% of children are experiencing 2 or more disparities.
The Chief Field Operations, P5, will be responsible for the coordination of UNICEF DRC’s 9 field offices by providing authoritative advice, expert analysis and technical leadership to the 9 Chief of Field Offices with regards to policies, operational strategies, implementation and evaluation related to the sector UNICEF sub-national programme. In addition, the Chief Field Operations will provide UNICEF with a senior official based in Goma, capable of engaging with other senior leaders of the United Nations agencies, NGOs, donors and MONUSCO in this highly sensitive humanitarian and political environment. This position will also absorb the coordination functions for Eastern DRC hitherto performed by the previous P5 “Senior Coordinator” position which has been abolished. The incumbent will lead the Field Operations Management Team (FMT). The incumbent will promote synergies between the field offices and coordinate with both programme and operations section chiefs in Kinshasa, to ensure that timely and quality technical support is provided to the field offices.
How can you make a difference?
Under the overall supervision of the Representative, Kinshasa, DR Congo, accountable for leadership and overall management of the field offices.
1. Coordinate the implementation of development, humanitarian and peace programmes in collaboration with Deputy Representative for Programmes & the Chief Emergency: Coordinate sub-national programme formulation, design, planning and management, the establishment of strategic partnerships with Government institutions and civil society, the effective engagement in social policy dialogue in support of field offices with the provincial Government for programme development, advocating for increased public resource allocation and budgeting towards the social sector and sustainable decentralization of social services and local capacity building to address the priority needs of the population and create a positive environment for sustainable development of the social services, in close partnership with the provincial authorities.
2. Coordinate operations support for programme implementation in collaboration with Deputy Representative for Operations: Coordinate sub-national operations support for programme implementation including supplies & logistics, human resources, finance and administration.
3. As the senior official in Goma, represent UNICEF in security (ASMT), senior humanitarian coordination (Pole de Soutien) and political fora with wider responsibility for crisis operations in Eastern DRC, covering North Kivu, Ituri and South Kivu.
Represent UNICEF in forums relating to regional activities of the United Nations system (regional humanitarian coordination with the DHC, MONUSCO etc.). Coordinate with heads of United Nations agencies with a regional role for eastern DRC (UNHCR, WFP, UNDP, IOM, UNFPA, WHO – as well as DSRSG, OCHA, MONUSCO, UNDSS) who are present in Goma. Coordinate the visibility of UNICEF in the Media. Represent UNICEF in delegations visiting Goma and eastern DRC
Summary of key functions/accountabilities:
- Representation and Advocacy undertaken to ensure effective leadership and UNICEF
- Representation at the Provincial level to promote children’s agenda.
- Development and implementation of projects aiming at the improvement of the situation of the Children and women as well as improving the accessibility and quality of the social services at sub-national level. Projects well documented and ready for evidence-based advocacy and possible replication & dissemination.
- Management at sub-national level is strengthened by effective knowledge management and systems.
- Coordination and management of emergency preparedness and response and a consistent flow of information of the humanitarian situation are effectively maintained within the office.
- Emergency plans of action are developed, and compliance and coordination of all sectors with the plans are implemented, and address gender issues
- Effective assistance is provided to the Representative in emergency operations oversight and program management with clear accountabilities, including resource mobilization for humanitarian action
- Situation Analysis prepared/updated, critical programme intervention point/measures identified, and programme work plans/recommendations prepared and incorporated. Programme reports prepared as required.
- Programme monitoring and evaluations effectively conducted to improve programme performance, and programme status report timely prepared.
- Commitment and institutional capacities of the Provincial and local partners effectively gained and established.
- Rights perspective and advocacy at the national, community and family levels incorporated in policy analysis for establishing and elevating UNICEF’s credibility in national and international policy debates.
- Effective strategic partnership established, collaboration achieved and maintained for advocacy, technical cooperation, and programme development/management/coordination, information sharing and networking.
- Any other assigned duties and responsibilities which may have been assigned by supervisor.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES and DUTIES & TASKS
1. Representation and Advocacy undertaken to ensure effectives leadership at Sub-national level: Establishes and maintains contact with the UNICEF Chief of Field Offices, provincial decision- and policymakers, keeps them informed of UNICEF’s mission, goals and strategies, with the aim to establish children and women as the highest priority constituents.
Identifies problems, needs and opportunities, seeks solutions and provides advice on matters relating to the well-being of children and women.
Provide public information on UNICEF-supported programmes to create greater public awareness about the needs of children and women in the area and an adequate visibility of the UNICEF intervention in south Kivu. Facilitate field visits of UNICEF donors and media visitors as required.
- Development and Implementation of projects at sub-national level:
Based on a thorough analysis of the situation of the children and women in field offices, enhance effective inter-sectoral planning, development and management by leading, guiding, coordinating and supporting the timely development of projects aiming at improving the humanitarian condition of the children and Women in DRC, as well as improving the accessibility and quality of the social services
Takes primary responsibility for the development of the multi-sectoral work plan and technical decisions as well as for programme management, implementation and monitoring of assigned sectoral activity, in compliance with the defined programme strategies and approaches.
Projects well documented and ready for evidence-based advocacy and possible replication & dissemination.
- Emergency Preparedness and Response:
Ensures that adequate emergency preparedness measures are taken through the development and updating of country contingency plans and establishment of early warning mechanisms, which leads to more effective preparedness and response to specific emergencies.
In the event of an emergency, takes prompt action as team leader or member of the Emergency Response Team which is deployed immediately to establish UNICEF’s presence and implement the initial operational tasks relating to emergency assistance. Ensures that the office is provided with effective telecommunications facility and security assistance for the staff in an emergency, as necessary. In coordination with the programme and operations groups, establishes contact with all UNICEF staff and their dependents and visitors to ensure their safety and whereabouts, and informs OPSCEN and the Regional Director of their status
- Knowledge Management for Programmes:
Ensure that local 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.
Participate in information exchange through donor and media visits as well as in the development of training and orientation material.
- Optimum Use of Program Funds:Establish and supervise programme work plans and monitor progress and compliance, especially as it relates to Humanitarian response. Monitor the dedicated 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. Ensure programme efficiency and delivery through a rigorous and 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 programme evaluation exercises to improve efficiency and quality of programme delivery. Participate in annual sector review meetings with government counterparts. Ensure the timely preparation of annual program status reports.
- Rights-Based and Results-Based Programme Management Approach:
Adopt rights-based programmes approach in the formulation of goals and objectives and development of strategies and implementation frameworks. Formulate 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 programme planning and design.
Prepare and submit 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 programme, new initiatives and management issues to ensure achievement of stated objectives.
- Local Capacity Building/Sustainability:
Provide government authorities with technical support and guidance to plan and organize training programmes for the purpose of capacity building and programme sustainability, including for humanitarian coordination and action.
Ensure the building and reinforcing of the commitment and institutional capacities of the local partners starting with taking a strategic approach to the identification of these partners and partnerships.
- Rights Perspective and Advocacy at the Provincial, District Community and Family Levels:
Conduct policy analysis from a children’s and women’s rights perspective and advocacy at the local, community and family levels for elevating credibility in policy debates. Promote the organization goals of UNICEF through active advocacy and communication.
- Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration :
Develop partnership and collaboration with internal and external counterparts, including those of the UN and national partners, and the humanitarian community 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 sound internal controls supportive of programming endeavors and to coordinate financial and supply management requirements and accountability.
- Other assigned duties and responsibilities are effectively accomplished.
IMPACT OF RESULTS
- The scope of the job is to provide leadership and overall coordination/supervision of the total programme commitment of a large country office with a broad range of programmes. The job requires commitment and a strong drive for results for the achievement of overall programme delivery and contribution to the established goals and objectives
- As a line manager, manage the programme function by leading a team of Chiefs of Field Offices and their staff consisting of a group of professionals and support staff.
- Work requires expertise as an expert for technical project/programme management, requiring initiative, problem solving, creativity and innovation.
- Technical leadership, sound judgement, planning and resource management expertise and creative approaches are required for advising management and making recommendations on project implementation, alternative approaches, and optimal utilization of resources, and recommendations on programme new initiatives and management issues to ensure achievement of stated objectives
- Decision making includes timely and effective decision on situation analysis, programme strategy, planning, implementation and evaluation and human resources, requiring conceptual/analytical thinking, judgement, planning, monitoring, decisiveness, flexibility, resource management and communication.
- Formulate and/or represent UNICEF’s position to external partners. Promote the organization goals of UNICEF through advocacy and policy dialogue by effective communication and influence. Make sound recommendations on policy based on situations in the locality.
- The work makes resource management and planning & monitoring expertise essential for managing the overall allocation and disbursement of funds to ensuring they are properly coordinated, monitored and liquidated in accordance with the programme budget allotments.
CHILD SAFEGUARDING
Child safeguarding involves proactive measures to limit direct and indirect collateral risks of harm to children, arising from UNICEF’s work, UNICEF personnel or UNICEF associates. The risks may include those associated with physical violence (including corporal punishment); sexual violence, exploitation or abuse; emotional and verbal abuse; economic exploitation; failure to provide for physical or psychological safety; neglect of physical, emotional or psychological needs; harmful cultural practices; and privacy violations.
Certain UNICEF positions present elevated child safeguarding risks (“elevated risk roles”) and candidates and/or incumbents may be subject to more rigorous vetting and training. Roles may be elevated risk roles because of significant unsupervised direct contact with children, their data, having a role in responding to safeguarding incidents, or being otherwise assessed as presenting an elevated risk. This position has been identified as a safeguarding response role,] [and/or] [an assessed risk role.
E. Skills
Technical Knowledge
a) Specific Technical Knowledge Required
- Rights-based and Results-based approach and programming in UNICEF.
- UNICEF programme policy, procedures and guidelines in the Manual.
b) Common Technical Knowledge Required (for the job group)
- Methodology of programme/project management
- UNICEF programmatic goals, visions, positions, policies and strategies.
- Knowledge of global human rights issues, specifically relating to children and women, and the current UNCEF position and approaches.
- UNICEF policies and strategy to address on national and international issues, particularly relating to conflicts, natural disasters, and recovery.
- UNICEF emergency programme policies, goals, strategies and approaches.
- Gender equality and diversity awareness.
c) Technical Knowledge to be Acquired/Enhanced (for the Job)
- UN policies and strategy to address international humanitarian issues and the responses.
- UN common approaches to programmatic issues and UNICEF positions
- UN security operations and guidelines.
- Security Management training for members of Security Management Team.
- UNICEF policies, strategies promoting and supporting gender equality and diversity.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Education
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in one of the following fields is required: Social Sciences, International Relations, Government, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or other relevant disciplines, with specialized training in conflict resolution.
Work Experience
Ten years of relevant professional work experience.
International and developing country work experience and field work experience.
Background/familiarity with Emergency.
Experience with UN integrated missions would be advantageous.
Language Proficiency
Fluency in English and French is required.
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
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.
[add the 8th competency (Nurtures, leads and manages people) for supervisory role]
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. All selected candidates will, therefore, 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.
Remarks:
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). 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.
Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply!
Advertised: Jun 12 2023 W. Central Africa Standard Time Application close: Jun 25 2023 W. Central Africa Standard Time
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- Closes Jun 25 2023Chief Field Operations, P-5, Fixed-Term, Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo in Democratic Republic of Congo
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 fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. Therefore, 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.