National Field Coordinator Consultancy, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (12months) Only PNG nationals to apply

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture., coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, Development

With over 850 indigenous languages and one of the most ethnically diverse populations, widespread poverty, and gender inequality make it hard for many children to realize their rights. In Papua New Guinea, UNICEF’s works effectively both ‘upstream’ (with governments) and ‘downstream’ (at the grassroots level) to carry out its mission through a programme of cooperation jointly developed with the government guides our work in the country.

How can you make a difference? 

UNICEF Papua New Guinea, in partnership with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), is implementing the programme focused on strengthening climate-smart social services and infrastructure in Rigo district of Central Province.

To ensure effective, coordinated, and community-responsive implementation at field level, UNICEF seeks to engage a Field-Based Programme Coordinator who will be stationed full-time in Rigo District.

The position is critical to:

• Strengthening relationships with target communities and local authorities
• Coordinating multi-sectoral programme implementation (WASH, Health, Nutrition, Education, Child Protection, etc.)
• Supporting and monitoring multiple Implementing Partners (IPs)
• Managing local-level risks and bottlenecks
• Ensuring effective communication, scheduling, and information-sharing among stakeholders

This role will serve as UNICEF’s primary field coordination focal point for the programme in Rigo district, Central Province.

 

SCOPE OF WORK

Under the guidance of the Programme Manager, Climate and Sustainable Environment, the Field-Based Programme Coordinator will serve as UNICEF’s primary field focal point for the implementation of the programme in Rigo District, Central Province.

The role is responsible for ensuring effective field-level coordination, community engagement, multi-sector implementation alignment, implementing partner (IP) oversight, and proactive risk management to support timely and coherent programme delivery.

1.Field-Level Coordination & Community Engagement

• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with district authorities, ward leaders, community representatives, and other key stakeholders in Rigo District.
• As required, engage with relevant provincial-level authorities to ensure alignment and coordination beyond the district level.
• Serve as the primary liaison between UNICEF, implementing partners (IPs), and target communities.
• Facilitate transparent and regular communication between communities/district/province/ and UNICEF.
• Identify community concerns, grievances, risks, or implementation challenges and escalate them appropriately.
• Support community mobilization and participation in programme activities.
• Promote inclusive engagement at community level.

2. Multi-Sector Programme Coordination

• Coordinate field-level implementation across all UNICEF sections under KOICA II (WASH, Health, Nutrition, Education, and Child Protection).
• Ensure sector activities are harmonized, appropriately sequenced, and aligned with   approved workplans.
• Maintain and regularly update an integrated field-level implementation calendar covering all sector activities and IP engagements.
• Facilitate joint planning and coordination meetings among implementing partners at district level.
• Support alignment of activities with district-level priorities and operational realities.

3. Implementing Partner (IP) Coordination & Oversight

• Coordinate closely with multiple IPs engaged under the programme.
• Support scheduling, site access arrangements, community entry protocols, and local-level coordination.
• Monitor field-level implementation progress and verify delivery of planned activities.
• Identify delays, coordination gaps, operational risks, or quality concerns.
• Facilitate information-sharing among IPs to prevent duplication or conflict.
• Follow up on agreed action points and support timely corrective measures.

  4. Monitoring, Reporting & Risk Management

• Conduct regular field visits to project sites to monitor progress and contextual developments.
• Maintain updated field-level tracking tools, including implementation matrix and risk log.
• Identify emerging operational, social, political, environmental, or security-related risks.
• Propose mitigation measures and escalate significant risks to the Programme Manager in a timely manner.
  • Prepare and submit regular field updates, including: Weekly field coordination brief
  • Monthly consolidated progress report
  • Participate in coordination or review meetings in Port Moresby (POM), as required, to support programme oversight and alignment.

5. Information Management & Communication   

• Ensure timely and accurate information flow between the field and UNICEF Country Office.
• Document coordination meetings, site visits, and key stakeholder discussions.
• Support data verification and information consolidation as required.
• Facilitate field-level visibility activities in coordination with UNICEF Communications.

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

Minimum requirements:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in development studies, public administration, social sciences, environmental   studies, or related field.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in:

         -Field coordination

         -Multi-sector development programming

         -Community engagement

         -Implementing partner coordination

• Demonstrated professional experience working in Rigo District, Central Province, with established   familiarity with local authorities, ward structures, and community leadership systems is highly desirable and will be considered a strong asset.
• Demonstrated experience working with district-level authorities and rural communities.
• Strong understanding of risk management and conflict-sensitive programming.
• Excellent reporting and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently in a remote field setting.
• Ability to make own arrangements at the district level.
• Strong communication skills in English (spoken and written)
• Proven ability to work effectively in cross-cultural and multi-cultural settings and teams, and to deliver high-quality results within expected time frames; and
• Good Inter-personal skills, commitment and motivation are essential.
• Language Requirements: English

For every Child, you demonstrate… our core values of Commitment, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability. 

This position is a short-term assignment and doesn’t give rise to a long-term permanent post with the organization.

Applicants are required to include in their applications a financial proposal which includes a lumpsum amount for consultancy fees, local transportation, and other miscellaneous costs. Breakdown or details of the fee will be much appreciated.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

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.

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.

UNICEF does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, or orientation). 

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