Readvertised: Programme Officer (HACT), NO-1, Maiduguri, Nigeria #108814

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, a chance.

In Nigeria, UNICEF works in a complex humanitarian and development setting to fulfill and protect children’s rights in partnership with the government, civil society, children, and families.  UNICEF Nigeria is one of the largest UNICEF Country Offices globally – click the link to learn more about UNICEF in Nigeria: https://www.unicef.org/nigeria/

Click here to experience our country through the perspective of our colleagues by clicking on this Link

Background:

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. UNICEF has adopted the Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT) as an approach for obtaining assurance that results have been achieved in line with resource utilization. It aims at managing risk related to cash transfers made to implementing partners in support of programme implementation, reducing partner transaction costs and allowing progressive use of national systems for management and accountability of results and resources. 

How can you make a difference? 

Purpose for the job:

The Programme Officer (HACT) reports to the Monitoring Specialist for close guidance and supervision, and provides professional technical, operational and administrative assistance throughout the programme cycle through the application of theoretical and technical skills in researching, collecting, analyzing and presenting technical information to facilitate the integration of HACT plans in all programming activities and to ensure the application of HACT and related organizational rules, regulations and procedures in the field office. 

Key function, accountabilities and related duties/tasks 

Summary of key functions/accountabilities: 

• Support to HACT planning during the programming process
• Support to implementation of HACT activities
• Review and use of HACT reports
• Networking and inter-agency partnership
• Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

1. Support to HACT planning during the programming process

• Participate in discussions, collection, analysis, verification and synthesis of HACT related information/documentation to gain good knowledge of HACT and programme planning and implementation.
• Participate in the preparation of HACT related materials/documentation to ensure incorporation of HACT in the country programming process.

2. Support to implementation of HACT activities

• Serve as the reference person on HACT implementation in the office
• Participate in and assist with the preparation and regular updating of CO micro assessment and assurance plans.
• Together with qualified/experienced CO colleagues, undertake spot checks of implementing partners to gain knowledge and experience.
• Provide technical and administrative support to external service providers in the execution of HACT activities to ensure timely and efficient delivery of results.
• Assist with maintenance of records of relevant HACT related documentation, including CO decisions related to HACT.

3. Review and use of HACT reports 

• Assist with recording and update of risk ratings of implementing partners in VISION through regular review of the Vendor Master and provision of information to relevant colleagues in the CO.
• Share with implementing partners and CO staff HACT related reports, especially reports of assurance activities, to ensure adequate awareness and followup of identified issues.
• Participate in the review of micro assessment reports of implementing partners to identify common weaknesses in financial and procurement management and propose capacity development actions that can be supported by UNICEF.
• Participate in the review of assurance activity reports of implementing partners to identify issues that need follow-up and common weaknesses in financial and procurement management and propose capacity development actions that can be supported by UNICEF.

4. Networking and inter-agency partnership 

• Exchange information and/or operational support to implementing partners, UN system partners and other stakeholders in the CO on the implementation of HACT to reinforce UN/CO harmonization and coordination.
• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of HACT information and knowledge to facilitate/build their capacity for implementing HACT.
• Participate in appropriate inter-agency meetings/events to facilitate and promote sharing of information, knowledge, experiences and best practices.
• Interact regularly with other country offices and the regional office on HACT.

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Identify, capture, synthesize and share lessons learned from HACT and its implementation for integration into broader knowledge development planning and management efforts.
• Participate in the design, planning and implementation of capacity development strategies/initiatives for implementing partners which can be supported by UNICEF through participation in review of reports of micro assessments and assurance activities of significant and high risk partners.
• Participate in the design and implementation of capacity development strategies/initiatives for CO staff to ensure that staff has the knowledge and skills to fulfill their responsibilities related to HACT.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Programme Officer (HACT) NOA Maiduguri.pdf 

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

Minimum requirements:

Education:

A 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.

Experience:

A minimum of one year 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. 

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English is required.  Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

[add the 8^th competency (Nurtures, leads and manages people) for a supervisory role]. 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility jobs-near-me.org UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable [Insert candidates from targeted underrepresented groups] are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

The conditions of a temporary assignment, including relocation entitlements, will depend on the status of the staff member’s original appointment and may be limited in accordance with applicable UNICEF policies, procedures, and practices in force.

In this role, you will collaborate with colleagues across multiple locations. For effective collaboration, we encourage flexible working hours that accommodate different time zones while prioritizing staff wellbeing.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

[CO/ HQ specific: visa residence requirements: i.e.: UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.]

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.