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, dedication :

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. This is why 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.

Children in West and Central Africa bear a disproportionate share of the global burden of child rights deprivations.  Only 11 per cent of the world’s children live in West and Central Africa (WCA), yet the region accounts for 31 per cent of under-five deaths, over 42 per cent of maternal deaths, 33 per cent of out-of-school children (primary and lower secondary) and 20 per cent of stunted children.  The COVID19 pandemic and the response to contain its spread is exacerbating child rights deprivations at an alarming pace including limiting access to routine immunization and health services.  There are now over 130 million children out of school in addition to the 41 million children who never had the opportunity to go to school in the first place.  Staying the course towards the SDG and the Key Results for Children, WCAR’s contributions to UNICEF Strategic Plan, are even more relevant now.

Within this complex and volatile context, the West and Central Africa Regional Office (WCARO) planning, monitoring and evaluation section is supporting countries/COs in advancing equity-focused policies, programs and interventions for children in the region. Special attention is given to strengthening risk informed, conflict sensitive, equity-focused programming and developing inclusive policies and programmes towards greater social cohesion and resilience of systems and communities.

How can you make a difference?

Purpose of the temporary appointment : Under the guidance of the Regional Chief of Programme and Planning, the purpose of the post is to support coordination of West and Central Africa Regional Office planning, monitoring and reporting processes and support quality assurance mechanisms of Country Programme planning exercises in 24 West and Central Africa countries with a broad range of functions- including policy and programmatic work- to ensure alignment of regional and country programmes with UNICEF Organizational policies and priorities.

Key function, accountabilities and related duties/tasks :

1. Setting Standards for Programme planning :

• Provide support in preparation, review and analysis of strategic programme planning processes and documentation, including the conduct of COs Situation Analyses, Mid-Term Reviews, Strategic Moment of Reflection (SMRs), the development of the Country Programme Documents (CPDs), Programme Strategy Notes (PSNs) ;
• Support the development of the country programmes results framework, including indicators, baselines and targets ;
• Support and facilitate development of equity-focused, results-based, and risk-informed rolling work plans and review exercises as needed.

 2. Programme Monitoring :

• Drawing on monitoring and analysis of key programme performance indicators, provide professional inputs to management reports including the Country Office Annual Reports (COARs), including Results Assessment Module (RAM) and Strategic Management Questions (SMQs) ;
• Provide technical support and inputs on setting up programme monitoring systems/tools, including the use of digital platforms ;
• Support monitoring of the Key Results for Children, including documentation and reporting.

3. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building :

• Identify, capture, synthesize and share lessons learned on KRC Acceleration Practices for integration into broader knowledge development planning and management efforts to accelerate the Key Results for Children in WCAR ;
• Participate/support capacity building initiatives related to KM, RBM etc.

4. Effective and efficient Regional Office’s internal management and coordination :

• Support Regional Office strategic planning, coordination, monitoring and management processes, including development of the ROMP, Work Plans, mid-year and end year reviews ;
• Support follow up of priorities identified in the Common Agenda ;
• Support to Regional Management Team (RMT) meetings’ preparation, organization and reporting ;
• Support preparation of the Regional Annual Reports and RO quality assurance of COs Annual Reports (COARs) ;
• Support to the Regional Director/Deputy Regional Director in the preparation of Briefing notes for the GMT, Executive Board and other meetings.

5. Effective Management and development of staff under supervision :

• Provide staff under supervision with clear directions and objectives that are based on organizational strategy and policy ;
• Maintain a healthy and respectful work environment ;
• Ensure timely completion of PERs and/or staff assessments of supervisees including providing career advice and support.

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

• Education : An advanced University Degree in economics, political science, international relations, sociology, education or other social science field is required ;
• Experience : A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in social development analysis and programming at the international and/or in a developing country is required. Relevant experience in planning, and program/project monitoring in a UN system agency or organization is an asset ;
• Language Requirements : Fluency in French and English is required.  Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate commitment :

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The functional competencies required for this post are :

• Formulating strategies and concepts (I) ;
• Analyzing (II) ;
• Applying technical expertise ((II) ;
• Learning and researching (II) ;
• Planning and organizing (II) ;
• Leading and supervising (II).

View our competency framework at : Competencies.pdf

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.