• Job no: 554746
• Position type: Temporary Appointment
• Location: Burundi
• Division/Equivalent: Nairobi Regn'l(ESARO)
• School/Unit: Burundi
• Department/Office: Bujumbura, Burundi
• Categories: Health and Nutrition

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, childhood

The  ECD Specialist reports to the Chief of Health and Nutrition who is at Level 4, and Deputy Representative who is at Level 5 for guidance, and he/she will work closely with different sections (Health and Nutrition, Child Protection, Social policy, WASH, Adolescent empowerment and community resilience, Education and PME).

The Specialist supports the coordinated development, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of ECD programmes/projects within the Country Programme.

The Specialist contributes to the achievement of concrete and sustainable results on ECD related interventions/projects according to the plans, funds allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM) and UNICEF's Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework.

How can you make a difference?

1. Support to ECD programmes/project development and planning
2. ECD project management, monitoring and delivery of results on ECD cross-sectoral intervention within the CO-programmes
3. Technical and operational support to ECD programme implementation
4. Networking and partnership building
5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

1.     Support to ECD programmes/project development and planning

• Support the preparation, design and updating of the situation analysis and assessments on ECD related issues to establish evidence-based data to support holistic policy and programme development, as well as coordinated planning, implementation, and monitoring of early childhood development programmes/projects within the country programme.
• Keep abreast of national, regional and international development priorities to identify opportunities where ECD can enhance inter-sector partnership, integration and linkages.
• Participate in CO programme discussion to determine areas for ECD integration/intervention. Contribute to the formulation, design and preparation of the Country Programme to ensure integration of ECD in a holistic manner across programme areas and to ensure alignment of ECD programmes with MSTP, UNICEF's Strategic Plans and coherence/integration with UN Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), regional strategies and national priorities, plans and competencies.
• Establish specific goals, objectives and strategies and implementation plans for the ECD programmes/projects using results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepare required ECD documentations for programme review and approval.
• Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to discuss strategies and methodologies and to determine national priorities/competencies to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results.
• Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes to ensure ECD integration, coherence, harmonization and convergence with other UNICEF programme sectors and achievement of results as planned and allocated.

2.     Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results on ECD programmes

• Plan and/or collaborate with internal and external partners to establish monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators and other UNICEF/UN system indicators to assess/strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of concrete and sustainable results on ECD programme intervention.
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual reviews with government and other counterparts to assess progress and to determine required action/interventions to achieve results.
• Prepare/assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths/weaknesses in programme management, identify lessons learned and use knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals.
• Actively monitor ECD programmes/projects through field visits, surveys and/or exchange of information with partners/stakeholders to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution.
• Monitor and verify the optimum/appropriate use of ECD programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets) confirming compliance with organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity and ensuring timely reporting and liquidation of resources.
• Prepare ECD regular/mandated programme/project reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of programme progress.
• Technical and operational support to programme implementation
• Provide technical and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners, and other country office partners/donors on the interpretation, application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes, and best practices on health­ related issues in maternal and child health especially in Immunization.
• Conduct regular program field visits and surveys and/or exchange information with partners/stakeholders to assess progress and provide technical support, take appropriate action to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for resolution. Report on critical issues, bottlenecks and potential problems for timely action to achieve results.
• Participate in discussions with national partners, clients and stakeholders to promote ECD cross-sectoral interventions within the country programme and child development issues.
• Provide technical and operational guidance to Government counterpart, other partners, on the application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices on health and related issues to support program implementation, operations and delivery of results.
• Participate in programme meetings including programme development and contingency planning to provide technical and operational information, advice and support
• Draft ECD policy papers, briefs and other strategic programme materials for management use, information and/or consideration.

4. Networking and partnership building

Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with relevant government counterparts, national stakeholders and global partners/allies/donors/academia through active networking, advocacy and effective communication to build capacity, exchange knowledge/expertise and to reinforce cooperation to achieve sustainable and broad results on ECD programmes.

Prepare communication and information materials for ECD programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and promote increased investments in ECD programmes and projects.

Participate and/or represent UNICEF in appropriate inter-agency (UNCT) discussions and planning on ECD related issues to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNSDCF planning and preparation of programmes/projects ensuring organizational position's, interests and priorities on ECD are fully considered and integrated in the UNSDCF process in development planning and agenda setting including emergency preparedness.

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Apply/introduce innovative approaches and good.practices to build the capacity of partners and stakeholders and to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable programme results on ECD.
  
• Keep abreast, research, benchmark and implement best practices on early childhood development. Assess, institutionalize and share best practices and knowledge learned.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable ECD programmes and projects.
• Organize and implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders to promote sustainable results on ECD related programmes/projects.

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

Experience: A minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in social development planning and/or management in early childhood development related areas is required. 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.

*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.

Computer skills (World, Excel, Power point) are required. Experience in health/nutrition program/project development in UN system agency or organization is an asset.

Language Requirements: Fluency in French and working knowledge of English is required.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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:

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