Deputy Director (Programme Strategy and Coordination), D-1, Programme Group, NYHQ

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, dedication.

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does – in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life – in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions – her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens – addressing inequity – not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

How can you make a difference?

The Deputy Director for Programme Strategy and Coordination reports to the Director, Programme Group (PG) and advises and assists the Director in the overall strategic direction and management of the PG, with particular focus on strategic oversight and coordination, intellectual and technical leadership, multi-sectoral and horizontal integration of programmes, emerging programme areas and partnerships.   

The Deputy Director’s key functions and accountabilities include:

Programme Leadership

• Manage the Director’s Office in support to programme cohesion and technical leadership, providing direction and guidance to key functional areas such as programme strategy and coordination, partnerships and advocacy, emerging issues (innovations, programming in middle- and high-income countries), resilience, innovations, planning and knowledge management.
• Support the Director in leading on emerging, cross-cutting and normative programming areas ensuring the nurturing of these areas and programme integration across PG and in UNICEF programmes.  
• Identify programme priorities and advise Director and Programme Teams on coordinated action required to deliver on UNICEF’s Strategic Plan.  Initiate and promote PG priority areas across the organization with an aim to bring successful programmes and strategies to scale (i.e. resilience, systems strengthening, Africa Strategy, etc.)
• Participate in the development, review and assessment of country programmes in coordination with regional offices with a view to ensure country offices access the best available evidence and technical expertise and design programmes that are aligned to Board policies and corporate strategies to maximise their impact on the fulfilment of child rights.

Strategic Oversight and Coordination

• Ensure a coherent and strategic contribution from Programme Group to the development and implementation of the Strategic Plan. Oversee strategic planning results monitoring and reporting for PG through a light coordination mechanism.
• Coordinate PG’s contribution to corporate reporting and efforts to streamline and simplify procedures in support to regional and country offices.
• Oversee Programme Group’s engagement and partnership with regional and country offices ensuring coordinated technical support in key areas of work.

Management and Operations

• Support the Director, PG in managing all aspects of the Programme Group including programmes, human resources and operations and stands in as needed. This includes the effective management of the New York and Nairobi offices, in close collaboration with Chief of Strategic Operations and Programme Team Directors, to maximize synergies and cohesiveness across PG office locations.  
• Oversee staff in the Director’s Office and ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the Office, including recruitment, supervision of staff, Director’s Office workplan, management and monitoring of the budget and oversight of day-to-day issues as required.
• Ensure effective use of available resources through improved budgeting, alignment of resources to planned results and tracking of expenditures. Works closely with the Chief of Strategic Operations to advise the PG Management Team on allocations and shortfalls in a timely manner.
• Leads change management processes as requested.  Identifies and initiates organizational improvement activities required to elevate programme excellence.

Advocacy and Partnerships

• Represent Programme Group and contribute to UNICEF’s intellectual and technical leadership, programme policy and strategy options in senior management forums and external fora.
• Provide strategic quality assurance of global programme partnerships, support resource mobilization and ensure coherence across Programme Group through a light coordination mechanism, and the co-creation and systematic collaboration with fundraising efforts of PPD and PFP and other divisions.
• Establish and maintain relationships at the technical and strategic level within UNICEF and with other partners including UN agencies, civil society organisations, multilateral and bilateral donors, private sector, academia, etc. for multi-sectoral joint programming initiatives.

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

• Advanced University degree in public health or social sciences at the PhD or Master’s or equivalent. Additional training in development planning, management, public administration or related fields is a strong asset.
• Thirteen years of work experience with a substantial period at a senior management level. Substantial experience in planning and management of social development programmes in more than one country context. Proven ability to successfully work in a managerial or advisory capacity at a senior level.
• Fluency in English (written and oral) as well as another UN language is highly desirable. 
• Strong people management skills and a track record of delivering results in a senior management role in collaboration with high-level internal and external stakeholders within an international organisation.
• Strong experience in policy advocacy and high-level technical assistance in relation to child rights in low and middle-income contexts.
• Strong communication and representational skills.
• Proven track record and experience of formulating strategies, planning and managing complex programmes and corporate level results reporting.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

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(8)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.

Remarks:

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

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 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.

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.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also 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 cancelled.

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.

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