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, results :

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?

Purpose for the job :

Under the supervision of the Regional Chief M&E, the M&E Specialist will be responsible for oversight and quality assurance of data related documents, SitAn, and for strengthening national data systems, data analysis, establishing capacity building in data collection, analysis, and use. This includes advice to the 24 country offices on data, SitAn, complex data analysis, contributing to global knowledge and experience and supporting advocacy and policy development based on sound evidence.

The purpose of the job is :

-to ensure that the UNICEF COs and RO have useful, valid and reliable information on:the situation of children and women and on the progress in realizing their rights; the performance of UNICEF-supported programmes including their relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability, and in emergency contexts, their coverage, coordination and coherence.

-to work within the Regional United Nation Development Group (R-UNDG) team to support UNCT goals for delivering valid and reliable information on the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and on the performance of UN-supported programmes.

-to assist in the establishment of a child rights monitoring and data tools which enhance partnership between the UNICEF, government and other key players to collectively track progress on SDGs and other international commitment for children.

-to assist in the development of national & regional capacities for children situation assessment, child rights monitoring with special attention to the interest, concern and participation of government, community, and civil society stakeholders. This includes to strengthen/develop national and regional statistics and data systems, documentation and feedback to track results for children

Key function, accountabilities and related duties/tasks :

1. Programme Performance Monitoring  : Ensure COs and RO have quality data to assess progress on the situation of children and towards expected results established in annual work plans ;
2. Technical Support and capacity building: Ensure that child right monitoring and data capacities of UNICEF Office staff and national partners – government and civil society – are strengthened enabling them to increasingly engage in and lead situation analysis, child rights monitoring;
3. Situation Monitoring and Assessment  : Support COs and RO to ensure that that they and national partners have timely and accurate measurement of change in conditions in the country or region, including monitoring of socio-economic trends and the country’s wider policy, economic or institutional context, to facilitate planning and to draw conclusions about the impact of programmes or policies ;
4. Quality assurance :Ensure that UNICEF supported SitAn and data quality improve in the region, including establishing quality assurance systems and tools ;
5. Knowledge Management : Ensure that lessons learned and knowledge generated in the region and elsewhere in the organization are shared in the region; update to date materials and tools in the area of child right monitoring and data are accessible to the COs and RO ;
6. Coordination and Networking : Ensure that WCA Regional Office is effectively linked to wider UNICEF data and child rights monitoring developments in a way that both contributes to and benefits from organizational learning on effective data management.

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

• Advanced university degree in social sciences, statistics, planning and development ;
• Eight years of relevant professional work experience in programme development and implementation including monitoring and evaluation activities ;
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset ;
• Fluency in English and French is required. Knowledge of a local language is considered as an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate commitment

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The functional competencies required for this post are :

• Leading and Supervising [ II ] ;
• Formulating Strategies and Concepts [ II ] ;
• Analyzing [ II ] ;
• Applying Technical Expertise  [ II ]   ;
• Planning and Organizing [ III ].

View our competency framework at : Competencies.pdf

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.

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.

Remarks :

• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service ;
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.