Job Opportunities at United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)

Purpose of the Consultancy

• The purpose of this consultancy is to ensure the effective monitoring, data collection and maintain records on all Girls Education Project Phase 3 (GEP3) interventions in the respective GEP3 and Educate A Child (EAC) focus states (Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara) according to the GEP3 / EAC state work plan and GEP3 monitoring and evaluation framework, contributing to the results of the project
• Two State M&E Consultants will be contracted in each of the two GEP3 (Sokoto and Zamfara) and one M & E Consultant in EAC (Kebbi) focus state. GEP3 / EAC activities are implemented in close partnership with government education agencies and civil society partners.
• The consultant will report to the State Project Coordinator under supervision of the Sokoto Education Specialist / Officer and with technical guidance of the Education Specialist, M&E based in Abuja. The consultant will work closely with the Education Specialist / Officer responsible for GEP3 / EAC, based in the respective UNICEF Field Office. It is expected the State M&E Consultant will form effective professional relationships with relevant education sector stakeholders in GEP3 / EAC focus state at all levels to advance GEP3 / EAC activities and results
• The consultant will work collaboratively with the other GEP3 / EAC state consultants – coordinating activities, analyzing operating environment, sharing lesson learnt and progress and maximizing synergy between activities towards key result areas.

Main Tasks of the Consultant

• Maintain up-to-date and accurate records / database on GEP3/EAC implementation across the three output areas in state, and ensure effective and timely information reporting as required;
• Conduct quality assurance activities to ensure quality of the implementation of interventions under the guidance of the Education Specialist M&E;
• Work closely with SUBEB and MOE EMIS officials to ensure timely completion (based on agreed timeframe) of Annual School Census data collection, processing, data cleaning, data merging, analysis, standard statistics reports generation, and dissemination of gender disaggregated results;
• Liaise with MOE and SUBEB EMIS officials to provide technical support to strengthen capacity of EMIS staff at the LGEA level;
• In coordination with State Output Leads and national Education Specialist M&E, monitor and support IQS integration into the ASC processes;
• Coordinate and support State level research activities led by external consultants and GEP3 / EAC partners;
• Facilitate institutionalization of systems, for effective and accurate data collection and analysis;
• Document lessons learnt and best practices, producing monthly stories on GEP3 / EAC implementation;
• Working with State Output Leads, ensure that systematic, accurate and updated data and information on GEP3 / EAC activities is collected and analysed collaboratively;
• Produce regular monthly work plans and submit them to the SPC, Education Specialist M&E, and FO Education GEP3 focal person;
• Support and coordinate state level research activities led by external consultants and GEP3 / EAC partners.

Expected Deliverable:

• Timely submission of monthly reports and data tables covering all three output areas, contributing to quarterly and annual reports on specific areas under the output;
• Monthly work plans detailing how key tasks will be conducted (due on 25th of the month).

Qualifications, Experience and Skills Required
Education:

• Advanced Degree in Education, Statistics, Mathematics, or Computer Science.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of experience and demonstrated ability in data collection, monitoring and statistics.
• Demonstrated skills in the use of data analysis packages (Excel, SPSS, and Access).
• Strong analytical skills using diverse and complex quantitative and qualitative data.
• Experience working on gender issues.
• Extensive knowledge and skills of education and social sectors in Nigeria and in northern Nigeria will be an added advantage.
• Demonstrates, applies and shares technical knowledge.
• Good understanding of girls' education issues, community involvement and participation.
• Communicates effectively, both orally and in writing, to varied audiences.
• Able to work effectively in a multicultural environment, sets high standards for quality of work and consistently achieves project goals.

Language:

• Fluency in English language and good English writing skills. Fluency in language of the immediate environment.

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.

How can you make a difference?
Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Representative and specific guidance and supervision of the Chief Management for Results, responsible for the overall coordination and management of the total programme commitment of a medium size country programme with a broad range of projects, including programme / project formulation, design, planning and management focused on achievement of UNICEF's Organizational priorities

Responsibilities
The Programme and Planning Manager will be responsible for:

Programme Development and Management:

• Prepare program recommendations for inclusion in formal programme documentation, and new approaches, methods and practices.
• Establishes programme work plans, monitors compliance and provides training, support and guidance to the programme team in order to meet objectives. Identifies human resources requirements and on-going staff development needs.
• In close collaboration with the monitoring manager in management for results sections, identify critical intervention points and measures by administering a consistent and transparent monitoring system; analyse country level socio-political-economic trends and their implications for ongoing programmes and projects.
• Draft changes to / or prepare programme work plans as required.
• Reviews and evaluates the technical, institutional and financial feasibility and constraints of programme/projects in collaboration with Government and other partners.
• Prepares relevant programme reports required for management, the Executive Board, donors, budget reviews, programme analysis, annual reports, etc.

Optimum Use of Program Funds:

• Establish and supervise programme work plans and monitor progress and compliance.  Monitor the overall allocation and disbursement of programme funds, making sure that funds are properly coordinated, monitored and liquidated. Take appropriate actions to optimize use of programme funds.
• Ensure programme efficiency and delivery through a rigorous and transparent approach to programme planning, monitoring and evaluation.

Rights-Based and Results-Based Programme Management Approach:

• Adopt a rights-based programme approach in the formulation of programme goals and objectives and development of strategies and implementation frameworks.
• Formulate consistent and effective planning, design, implementation, monitoring and / or evaluation of programmes and projects.
• Bring coherence, synergy and added value to the programming planning and design processes using a results-based management approach to programme planning and design.
• Prepare and submit viable recommendations on project implementation, alternative approaches, and optimal utilization of resources that contribute effectively to the fulfillment of the rights of children and women, and recommendations on programme, new initiatives and management issues to ensure achievement of stated objectives.

National and Local Capacity Building / Sustainability:

• Provide government authorities with technical support and guidance to plan and organize training programmes for the purpose of capacity building and programme sustainability.
• Ensure the building and reinforcing of the commitment and institutional capacities of the national and local partners starting with taking a strategic approach to the identification of these partners and partnerships.

Rights Perspective and Advocacy at the National, Community and Family Levels:

• Conduct policy analysis from a children's and women's rights perspective and advocacy at the government, community and family levels for elevating credibility in national and international policy debates.
• Promote the organizational goals of UNICEF through active advocacy and communication.

Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration:

• Develop partnership and collaboration with internal and external counterparts, including those of the UN and national partners, in order to improve the ability to collect and disseminate development data and information, exchange information on programme / project status and implementation and movement / distribution of supplies.
• Linkage to the Regional Programme Knowledge Network to ensure the availability of current and accurate programme data.
• Collaborate with the Operations Section to establish and maintain sound internal controls supportive of programming endeavors and to coordinate financial and supply management requirements and accountability.
• Maintain close collaboration with Regional Advisers and HQ Officers for effective overall coordination on programmes.
• Plans, develops and implements sectoral programme(s) by collaborating with the government and other partners.
• Provide leadership in provision of technical advice, negotiation, advocacy and promotion of area / country level goals, leading to agreement on practicable and priority actions to be supported by UNICEF programme and country level cooperation.

Recruitment Qualifications

• Education: Advanced University Degree in Social Sciences, International Relations, Government, Public  Administration, Public Policy, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or other relevant discipline.
• Experience: Eight years of relevant professional work experience is required.
• Experience supervising staff and in working in UNICEF programme countries are assets
• Language requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset.

Core Competencies:

• Communication
• Working with people
• Drive for results.

Functional Competencies:

• Leading and supervising
• Formulating strategies and concepts
• Analyzing
• Relating and networking
• Deciding and Initiating action
• Applying technical expertise.

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.
• View our competency framework at: http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf