Temporary Appointment: Programme Manager (Technology-Enabled Solutions), P-4, Programme Effectiveness Team, DAPM, NYHQ (364 Days)

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. And we never give up.

For every child, a future

The Division of Data, Analytics, Planning and Monitoring (DAPM) spearheads UNICEF’s efforts to strengthen the management for results in all aspects of our work, particularly in programming in countries and regions. DAPM aims to improve the capabilities of field offices to design evidence based and results-focused programmes, implement effective and efficient interventions, monitor results through periodic and trend analysis and real-time basis, report on achievements and publish information about UNICEF for use by all stakeholders. DAPM achieves these goals by working with HQ divisions, Regional Offices, and Global Networks and by strengthening the way it works with partners and enhancing UNICEF staff skills in managing for results and providing them with guidance and tools for effective analysis, planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting.

DAPM also undertakes ongoing analysis on the use and contextual adaptations of existing country programming instruments with the intent to learn and simplify, to ensure their robustness and fit for country and regional offices in managing for results. UNICEF’s role in planning, measuring, tracking, and reporting results for children requires the ability to gather, integrate, and share information between multiple actors

How can you make a difference?

The Programme Manager position is located in New York Headquarters, under the Programme Effectiveness Team (PET) of DAPM and more specifically under the Organizational Performance Management Unit (PMU), and reports to the Chief, Organizational Performance Management.  PMU aims to enhance business performance management standards, and harmonize, streamline and simplify systems, processes and quality assurance mechanisms, to support results planning, evidence-based management and measurement, reporting, transparency and accountability at all levels.  The function of this position is cross-cutting in nature and the incumbent will work closely with the Programme Guidance, Programme Implementation, Programme Monitoring and Learning and Knowledge Management teams within PET and collaborate with the DAPM Data and Analytics Team, other headquarters divisions (e.g. ICTD and DFAM), regional and country offices, and external vendors. Main objectives of this project include:

1. Establishing common standards and institutionalizing the use of agile operational approaches in the development of tools and data systems.
2. Coordinating within PET and working with cross-functional teams across UNICEF in the planning, design, development, testing, roll-out and user-support for all technology-enabled business solutions related to DAPM’s areas of accountability.
3. Establish management standards and common operational approaches for DAPM-led ICT initiatives and streamline/bring coherence to the technical engagement with ICTD and other business owners.
4. Be accountable for tracking and documenting simplification and efficiency gains in digital transformation as relates to the use of technology in business processes relating to planning, implementation management (including monitoring) results measurement and reporting.
5. Act as convener and secretariat of the DAPM-led Governing Board for IT investment-funded initiatives.
6. Develop and manage detailed implementation plans to ensure scope and approach are fully understood by all stakeholders, aligned with a hybrid agile methodology to requirement gathering, design, testing and deployment activities.
7. Monitor and communicate the progress of development and deployment and ensure timely and effective communication of status in terms of scope, costs, schedules, risks/issues and user feedback.
8. Manage relationship, negotiate and influence cross-functional teams to ensure unity of purpose, appropriate resourcing levels are engaged and maintained throughout the course of the development life cycle. 
9. Work in consultation with business owners to optimize product and subsequent release schedules and user support.
10. Guide the development of learning and communication materials adapted to different audiences to support adoption and senior management buy-in.
11. Lead specific procurement, recruitment and vendor management activities.
12. Any other duties or assignments as requested by the supervisor.

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

• Master’s degree (or higher) in computer science, Business Administration or related field required. Undergraduate degree with additional (2 years) work experience will be considered.
• Minimum 8 years of project management experience in a software development, technical integration or business operations environment, with a proven track record of interfacing with multiple levels of the organization.
• Experience collaborating across multiple functions and working with operational SMEs, technical resources/ infrastructure and architecture teams.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills (written and verbal) across multiple audiences.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced matrix environment including managing across multiple geographies, functions and organizations often outside ‘standard’ working hours.
• Certification in the project management methodology (PMP).
• IT Consulting background experience is highly preferred.
• Fluency in English (written and verbal) is required. Knowledge of an additional UN Language (French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish) is considered an asset.

For every child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability.

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

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, race, sexual orientation, nationality, culture, appearance, socio-economic status, ability, age, religious, and ethnic backgrounds, 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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

“UNICEF only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/”