Programme Specialist (HACT), P-3, FT, #91402, Dhaka, Bangladesh #544123 (not for Bangladeshi nationals)

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, a champion

UNICEF has adopted the Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT) as an approach for obtaining assurance that results have been achieved in line with resource utilization. It aims at managing risk related to cash transfers made to implementing partners in support of programme implementation, reducing partner transaction costs and allowing progressive use of national systems for management and accountability of results and resources.

The Programme Specialist (HACT) reports to the Chief, Planning, Monitoring and Reporting. The Programme Specialist (HACT) provides technical and administrative support throughout the programming process by preparing, managing and/or executing a variety of technical and administrative tasks to facilitate the effective implementation of HACT in line with the UNICEF HACT Policy and UNICEF HACT procedure.

How can you make a difference?

Within the delegated authority and under the given organizational set-up, the incumbent is expected to perform the following key functions summarized below:

1. Support to HACT and implementing partnerships management – planning, implementation of assurance activities, monitoring and reporting:  

• Provide technical and administrative support in the implementation of HACT in line with the HACT policy and procedure and other relevant organizational policies, procedures and guidelines, including the DFAM Policy 5: Cash Disbursements Supplement 3-Cash Transfers (HACT). This includes coordinating the preparation of CO annual assessments and assurance plan, facilitating its execution and coordinating with other adopting agencies as appropriate

2. Quality assurance and reporting – Review and use of HACT reports

• Contribute to the design and implementation of quality assurance strategies/processes to ensure that HACT assessments and assurance activities are undertaken in accordance with corporate terms of reference and guidance and that appropriate follow-up action and escalation steps are taken as needed.

3. Networking and inter-agency partnership

• Provide technical information and operational support to implementing partners, UN system partners and other stakeholders in the CO on the implementation of HACT to reinforce UN/CO harmonization and coordination.
• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of HACT information and knowledge to facilitate/build their capacity for implementing HACT.

4. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Identify, synthesize and share lessons learned and best practices from HACT and its implementation for integration into broader knowledge development planning and management efforts.
• Design and implement capacity building strategy/initiatives for CO staff to ensure that CO staff are knowledgeable and comply with the HACT and CSO procedures and other relevant corporate policies, procedures and guidance that impacts on HACT and implementing partnership management

Kindly refer to the attached JD for detailed job responsibilities –  JD.doc

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

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: Development studies, International Development, Business Administration, Financial Management, Economics, Auditing, Project/Programme Management or another relevant technical field.
• A minimum of five years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: programme development/management, financial planning and management, or another related area.
• Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• 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 values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1) –  (only applicable for Staff with Supervisory Responsibilities)
• 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)

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:

*UNICEF does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

*Internal candidates may be given preference over external candidates. The term “Internal” refers to all staff members with fixed term, continuing or permanent appointments.

*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.