Programme Manager, (P-4), Paramaribo, Suriname #19831

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 fulfil 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, protection

In Guyana and Suriname, UNICEF operates under a single Country Programme Document (CPD) with five programme outputs: Lifelong Learning, Safety and Justice for Children, Social Inclusion and Child Rights Monitoring, Emergency Preparedness and Response and Migrant Response. UNICEF Guyana/Suriname is approaching the end of its programme cycle. To learn more about UNICEF Guyana/Suriname, please access this link: https://www.unicef.org/guyanasuriname/

How can you make a difference?

Under the general supervision of the Representative, the Programme Manager is responsible for the overall coordination and management of the programme in Suriname, including programme/project formulation, design, planning and management focused on the achievement of UNICEF’s Organizational priorities.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Knowledge Management for Programmes

Ensure that country 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.

2. Programme Development and Management

Identify critical intervention points and measures by administering a consistent and transparent monitoring system; analyses country level socio-political-economic trends and their implications for ongoing programmes and projects.

Draft changes to/or prepare programme work plans as required. Prepare programme recommendations for inclusion in formal programme documentation, and new approaches, methods and practices.

Establishes programme work plans, monitors compliance and provides training, support and guidance to the programme team to meet objectives. Identifies human resources requirements and ongoing staff development needs.

Reviews and evaluates the technical, institutional and financial feasibility and constraints of programme/projects in collaboration with the Government and other partners.

Prepares relevant programme reports required for management, the Executive Board, donors, budget reviews, programme analysis, annual reports, etc.

3. Optimum Use of Programme Funds

Establish and supervise programme work plans and monitor progress and compliance. Monitor the overall allocation and disbursement of programme funds, making sure that funds are properly coordinated, monitored and liquidated. Take appropriate actions to optimize the use of programme funds. Ensure programme efficiency and delivery through a rigorous and transparent approach to programme planning, monitoring and evaluation.

4. Programme Monitoring

Undertakes field visits to monitor and assess programme implementation and decides on required corrective action. Participate in annual sector review meetings with government counterparts.  Ensure the timely preparation of annual program status reports.

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

Adopt rights-based programmes approach in the formulation of programme 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 to 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.

 

6.  National and Local Capacity Building/Sustainability

Provide government authorities with technical supports and guidance to plan and organize training programmes for capacity building and programme sustainability. 

Ensure the building and 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

Conduct policy analysis from a children’s and women’s rights perspective and advocacy at the government, community and family levels for elevating credibility in national and international policy debates. Promote the organisational goals of UNICEF through active advocacy and communication.

8. Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration

Develop partnership and collaboration with internal and external counterparts, including those of the UN and national partners, 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. 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 close 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 the 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.

9. Strengthening social protection systems and public financing for children

Support the government in developing social protection policies, systems and programmes with attention to increasing coverage of and impact on children, with special attention to the most marginalized.

Support budget analysis to inform UNICEF’s advocacy and assistance to the Ministry of Finance, Planning Commissions and Social Sector Ministries to improve equitable allocations for basic services for children. Support capacity building to undertake to cost analysis on priority interventions to help inform policy decisions on child-focused investments.

Identify fiscal space for improved domestic financing of child-sensitive social protection interventions. Support capacity building for improved tracking of public expenditure to support effective financial flows for basic service delivery.

 Key Expected Results:

The Management and critical programme intervention provided by the Programme Manager will enhance the Office and UNICEF’S capacity in helping to fulfil UNICEF’S objectives in helping the most vulnerable women and children.

1. Programme management strengthened by effective knowledge management and system.

2. Critical programme intervention point/measures identified, and programme work plans/recommendations prepared and incorporated. Programme reports prepared as required.

3. Programme funds are optimally used.

4. Programme monitoring effectively conducted to improve programme performance, and programme status reports timely prepared.  Gender/sex-disaggregated data and inputs relevant to the country programme are provided as an integral part of programming.

5. Rights-based and results-based programming approach fully incorporated into all phases of programme and projects processes.

6. Commitment and institutional capacities of the national and local partners effectively gained and established.

7. 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.

8. Effective partnership and collaboration achieved and maintained for advocacy, technical cooperation, programme development/management/coordination, information sharing and networking.

9. Strengthening social protection systems, public financing for children and business for results.

10. Strengthen emergency preparedness and response, and/or working with vulnerable communities.

 

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in  Social Sciences, International Relations, Government, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Policy or other relevant disciplines.
*A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of 8 years of relevant professional experience in a developing country, work experience and/or familiarity with emergencies is considered an asset. Background/familiarity in engaging with private sector partnerships, i.e. extractive industries. Experience in managing a field office.

Language Requirements

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, and Accountability (CRITA), and

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are:

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (2)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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:

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

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