UNICEF seeks to recruit an implementing partnership management specialist (HACT Specialist), P-3 – TA, Kinshasa, DRC

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in its programmes, 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 fulfil their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why UNICEF’s 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.

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children’s rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world.

 

For every child, save lives

Democratic Republic of Congo

In spite of its vast physical size and limitless natural resources, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranking 176th out of 188 countries in the 2015 human development report. Child poverty is widespread, particularly in conflict-affected and hard-to reach areas. According to a recent UNICEF study, 80 percent of children aged zero to 15 years old experience at least two major child rights deprivations. Despite sustained growth in recent years, the size of DRC’s economy remains far too small to provide enough government revenue to meet the basic needs of the population, children in particular. Since 2016, political instability, the persistence of conflicts in Eastern DRC and a sharp fall in global commodity prices have been aggravating factors.

DRC is one of the over 190 countries and territories around the World where UNICEF works to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in a child’s path.

 

How can you make a difference to UNICEF in DRC?

The Implementing Partnership Management Specialist is responsible for providing technical and administrative support to ensure quality, effective and efficient management of implementing partnerships in the country office in line with respective operational policies, procedures and mainstreaming of risk based implementing partnership management at the CO level.

 

Key functions accountabilities and related duties/tasks

Summary of key functions/accountabilities :

1. Partnership management strategy and implementation ; 
2. Quality assurance ;
3. Analysis, monitoring and reporting ;
4. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building.

Strategy of implementing partnership management and implementation :

• Lead the development of the CO’s implementing partnership management strategy which aims to reduce the number of partners and address operational challenges in the context of DRC ;
• Provide technical support to the country office in the formalization of implementing partnerships with government, civil society organizations and other implementing partners in line with relevant policies, procedures and guidelines, including the CSO Procedure and guidance on work plans ;
• 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. Coordinate with and/or seek technical support of the Regional Office on implementation of the CSO and HACT procedures.

Quality assurance :

•  In collaboration with the CO Internal Control Unit, contribute to the design of and implement quality assurance strategies/processes for the implementation of the CSO procedure. This includes processes to ensure that implementing partners are selected and assessed in accordance with the CSO procedure and that all documentation is in line with corporate standards as stipulated in the CS procedure ;
• 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 ;
• Represent UNICEF at the Inter-agencies HACT task team to coordinate quality assurance activities of shared Implementing partners.

Analysis, monitoring and reporting :

• Analyze and monitor cash transfers at the country office level, paying particular attention to outstanding direct cash transfers more than 6 months ;
• Using appropriate corporate tools and systems including InSight and e-Tools, report on status of implementation of HACT and identify high risk areas requiring special attention and/or support from the regional office ;
• Monitor internal country office processes for formalizing implementing partnerships with CSOs to ensure that corporate timelines are adhered to, especially in humanitarian responses ;
• Prepare reports for the country management team and regional office as may be required.

Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building :

• Serve as the custodian of all implementing partnership documentation such as assessment and assurance reports, PCAs, SSFAs and programme documents, ensuring that they are adequately circulated in the office and properly archived ;
• Undertakes analysis of micro assessment results and insurance activities to inform the office’s programme implementation strategy and capacity development activities ;
• In collaboration with the CO Internal Control Unit, 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 implementing partnership management ;
• Design and implement capacity building initiatives for staff of implementing partners to ensure that they are knowledgeable on all aspects of partnering with UNICEF, with particular emphasis on the HACT and CSO procedures.
• Participate in country office ERM exercises to ensure that risks for implementing partnership management are identified and mitigation measures put in place.

 

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 Bachelor-level degree combined with an additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree ;
• 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 French with a good command of English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

 

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The competencies required for this post are :

Core Values

• Commitment ;
• Diversity and inclusion ;
• Integrity.

Core competencies :

• Communication (II) ;
• Working with people (II) ;
• Drive for results (II).

Functional Competencies :

• Formulating strategies and concepts (II) ;
• Analyzing (III) ;
• Relating and networking (II) ;
• Deciding and Initiating action (II) ;
• Applying technical expertise (III).

View our competency framework at : http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

 

Remarks :

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