Position: Deputy Representative (Premium Job)

Job Description

The Deputy Representative supports the Representative in leading and leveraging partnerships with both public and private sectors for the achievement of results and fulfilment of the rights of children.

In view of the Nepal Country Programme context, the Deputy Representative – Programme, in addition to generic accountabilities listed below, will be expected to have:

• Political acumen, mature diplomatic and negotiation skills;
• Excellent advocacy and communication skills to support the positioning of children among competing development priorities;
• Policy analysis, strategic thinking , innovative planning and programme design expertise to guide the continuous relevance of UNICEF programmes in a rapidly changing context;
• Experience in technical upstream programming and institutional system and capacity building;
• Proven networking and collaborative partnership engagement record;
• Effective resource mobilization and resource leveraging track record in context of ODA reductions;
• Solid risk analysis, risk management and change management experience;
• Team building, leadership and coordination experience and track record in inclusive, supportive and nurturing people management

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

• CO Programme planning and development
• Support to the Representative on managing the CO
• Monitoring and quality control of Programmes
• Representation, alliance building and UN System coordination
• Private Sector Engagement and Partnerships
• Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

1. CO Programme planning and development

• Coordinate the planning and updating of the situation analysis by the various sectors in the CO to establish comprehensive data and information for programme development planning, management, monitoring and evaluation.
• Provide advice to the Representative on strategies, direction and planning of programmes and projects to translate analytical data/information (from situation analysis) and national priorities and goals into concrete country programmes and projects that advances UNICEF goals in the country on child rights, survival and development.
• Guide and advise the various sectoral teams throughout the process of programme formulation, planning and preparation of the Country Programme ensuring harmonization of approaches and alignment with the UNICEF Strategic Plan, corporate guidelines, policies/procedures and regional and national priorities.
• Provide technical and operational guidance to the heads of sectors and their team, as delegated by the Representative, throughout all stages of the programming process to ensure cooperation, collaboration and harmonization of programmes and projects.
• Coordinate necessary technical programming support from PD/Regional Office.
• Review the country programme recommendation before approval by the Representative to ensure the quality of the country programme recommendation and alignment with UNICEF’s Strategic plan, compliance with policies and procedures and that documentation materials are completed accurately and comprehensively to facilitate Executive Board review and approval.

2. Support to the Representative on managing the Country Office

• Serve as officer in charge in the absence of the Representative.
• Monitor and assess programmes and operations and provide advice on best and innovative programming and management practices to enhance programming and operations.
• Advise the Representative on CO annual work planning, setting priorities/targets and establishing performance measurements. Monitor implementation and progress of work plans; collaborate with colleagues to assist, advise and guide the Representative to ensure achievement of results according to targets and performance standards. Take timely decisions to achieve results and/or alert the
• Representative for timely action.
• Establish clear individual performance objectives, goals and timelines; and provide timely guidance to his/her team to enable them to perform their duties responsibly and efficiently. Plan and ensure timely performance planning, management and assessment.
• Work collaboratively with the Representative and the various sectors to facilitate/contribute to the preparation of the CO budget proposal. Monitor critical issues to resolve problems and/or recommend to the Representative appropriate action to ensure appropriate and optimum use of resources.

3. Monitoring and quality control of Programmes

• Participate in meetings/events and annual/mid-term reviews with government and other counterparts/stakeholders to contribute to strategic programme discussions, planning and assessments.
• Evaluate overall programme progress; identify weaknesses, bottlenecks and potential problems.
• Collaborate with the sectors and/or other partners and stakeholders to resolve issues and/or advise the
• Representative on resolutions to ensure delivery of results as planned and allocated.
• Monitor the optimum and appropriate use of programme resources (financial, human, administrative and other assets) and verify compliance with organizational rules, regulations and procedures, donor commitments and standards of accountability and integrity. Approve disbursements and allocations in accordance with delegation of authority established by the Representative.
• Coordinate and/or provide advice on the preparation of mandated programme and operational reports.
• Confirm accuracy of reports prior to approval by the Representative.

4. Representation, alliance building and UN System coordination

• Represent UNICEF (as appropriate/delegated) in organizational, regional, global, public information/relations events and key meetings to contribute to strategic discussions on programming issues, policy dialogue, discuss initiatives, report on progress achieved, present papers/ideas and/or advocate UNICEF’s vision in the Country that is consistent with UNICEF Strategic Plan and supportive of national development goals and priorities.
• Represent the UNICEF Representative in the UN Country Team (UNCT) to collaborate with RC and UN system partners to strengthen UN system interagency coherence collaboration, cooperation and harmonization of programming, common services and operations. Ensure organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the UNDAF development planning and agenda/priority setting.
• Collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNDAF (One) country development planning of programmes/projects.
• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships with government institutions, national stakeholders and global partners/allies/donors/academia to advocate UNICEF goals to advance child’s right to survival, development and wellbeing, mobilize resources, seek cooperation and establish alliances.

5. Business Engagement and Partnerships

• Lead the creation of a conducive and optimal environment, capacities and systems within the country office, to allow the business and public sectors to be engaged appropriately for achieving programmatic results.
• Systematically integrate considerations and strategies around work with and on the private sector into programme strategies and plans; articulate the private-public sector joint contribution to achieving results for children in support of the Country Programme; and where applicable, the programmes globally.
• Ensure the consideration and integration of the Business Sector[1] as an active stakeholder across programme sectors in the country programme planning process and (SitAn, Stakeholder Mapping, ToCs, Strategy Notes, Results Framework and Country Programme Management Plans) and subsequent roll out strategies and plans.
• Actively engage in identification and prioritization of potential Business and Public Sector stakeholders who can contribute significantly to achievement of country office results and global Strategic Plan Goals.
• Lead the office to build strategic engagements with the Business Sector to advance UNICEF’s programmatic goals through different engagement modalities at outlined in the Programme Guidance for Country Offices on Engagement with Business.
• Support the development and smooth execution of the resource mobilization strategy from public and private sectors, linking to the programme results. Engage with partners on concrete initiatives, linked to programmes initiatives that are supported by them.
• Lead the planning, monitoring and reporting of achievements and results (qualitative and quantitative) of business engagement and partnerships initiatives within the country programme planning cycle and process, to create a holistic results narrative.
• Ensure alignment and stay updated on the latest developments, tools and guidance linked to Business for Results (B4R) through the Regional Offices, Regional Programme Networks, Regional Support Centers for PFP and Headquarter Divisions especially Programme Division. Lead the application of these tools and the capacity building of staff to integrate private sector engagement systematically in all programme areas.

6. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Advise the Representative and other internal colleagues in the CO on the conceptualization, development and implementation of policies and procedures, use of latest information technology and introduction of innovation and best practices in the CO to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy in programming and operations.
• Coordinate the collection, institutionalization and sharing of lessons learned to enhance performance and to use lessons learned in development/policy planning.
• Promote learning and development through planning and organization of training events, activities and other capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies/productivity of staff members.

Job Specification

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness 
• Works Collaboratively with others 
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships 
• Innovates and Embraces Change 
• Thinks and Acts Strategically 
• Drive to achieve impactful results 
• Manages ambiguity and complexity 
• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People 
• During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework 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.

Apply Instruction

To apply for this job please visit jobs.unicef.org.