Chief of Field Office,
Abkhazia, Georgia
(P-4)
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
Closing date: Monday, 27 February 2017
Apply for this job
Job no: 502781
Position type: Fixed Term Staff
Location: Georgia
Division/Equivalent: CEE/CIS
School/Unit: Georgia
Department/Office: Sukhumi, Georgia
Categories: Programme Management, P-4
I. Organizational Context and Purpose for the job
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.
Job organizational context: The Chief of Sukhumi Field Office is deployed in the Georgia Country Office that in addition to its programmes in Georgia (TAT) is in parallel covering separate programme activities in the non-government-controlled Abkhazia region. The Chief of Field Office reports to the Deputy Representative.
Purpose for the job: Under the policy guidance of the Representative and the supervision of the Deputy Representative, in support to and in close cooperation with the UNICEF Country Office in Tbilisi, the incumbent is responsible for maintaining and further developing UNICEF's working relations with the de facto authorities and other local stakeholders in Abkhazia, and for the development, planning, resource mobilization, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all programmes of the Sukhumi Field Office.
II. Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks (Please outline the key accountabilities for this position and underneath each accountability, the duties that describe how they are delivered. Please limit to four to seven accountabilities)
Summary of key functions/accountabilities:
Maintains and further develops UNICEF's work relations with the de facto authorities and other local stakeholders, gives direction and supervision to a group of professionals and support staff in order to develop and administer UNICEF-supported programme, in the following manner:
1. Maintains and further develops UNICEF's work relations with the de facto authorities and other local stakeholders in Abkhazia, as well as with Abkhazia-related partners in the rest of Georgia. Supports Abkhazia-related meetings with representatives of other international organizations and with officials of the Government of Georgia. During the absence of Representative and/or Deputy Representative from Abkhazia, represents UNICEF in the meetings with the de facto authorities, UN, donor agencies, NGOs/CSOs and community based organizations to support inter-agency efforts, promote joint assessments and initiatives. (15 percent)
2. Provides recommendations to the Representative and Deputy Representative on UNICEF assistance in Abkhazia and reports on current developments in the region relevant for UNICEF's programme implementation. Provides leadership to the UNICEF technical officers/specialists and other programme staff based in the Abkhazia region in the development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programmes, and to guide, inform, support and/or undertake on-going assessments of local conditions affecting children and mothers, including the development of situation analysis capacity; In close coordination with the UNICEF staff, including the respective UNICEF sections and partners, ensures that priority interventions are identified and determined based on Work plans and the Country Program Action Plan. Undertakes field visits to monitor and assess programme implementation and decides on required corrective action. (25 percent)
3. Ensures that use of UNICEF's resources is optimized through cross-sectoral planning, implementation and monitoring. All financial inputs are in line with UNICEF's policies and procedures as well as agreed programme strategies; Programme implementation is regularly monitored and progress, where applicable, evaluated to ensure achievement of the planned results and objectives. (20 percent)
4. Develops, manages and reviews annual work plans, mid-term review and any other programming process in the Abkhazia region, in close cooperation with the respective sections of the Georgia CO; Coordinates and facilitates technical decisions on program and/or project administration and implementation with the aim to promote convergence and integration of the UNICEF supported programs (Mother and Child Health, Water, Sanitation & Hygiene, Adolescents and Youth, Education, HIV/AIDS, Child Protection). Coordinates the major studies, assessments and evaluation exercises as well as annual review meetings and oversees the preparation of donor and annual/programme status reports. (15 percent)
5. Ensures that all operations related issues (e.g. Human Resource, Admin, Supply and Logistics, Security and Staff Welfare, travel plans, use of vehicles, communication systems) are effectively and efficiently coordinated within the Sukhumi Office and with the Tbilisi Office; Responsible for the safety, security and well-being of all UNICEF field based staff. (10 percent)
6. Vulnerability analysis, assessments, disaster preparedness and response strategies in the non-food sectors are well integrated within programs, and coherent/adapted to the particular nature of the region's risks and vulnerabilities; Emergency assessments undertaken and emergency response action plans developed when required; Emergency response/Humanitarian actions implemented in accordance with the Core Commitments for Children. (5 percent)
7. Ensures timely ordering and delivery of materials and supplies as well as disbursement of cash assistance and provision of other services for program / project implementation. Monitors the overall commitment, expenditure and liquidation of programme funds. Takes necessary action for optimal use of programme funds in Abkhazia. (5 percent)
8. Performs other duties when required. (5 percent)
III. Impact of Results (Please briefly outline how the efficiency and efficacy of the incumbent impacts its office/division and how this in turn improves UNICEF's capacity in achieving its goals)
The efficiency and efficacy of the incumbent plays a key role in maintaining and developing UNICEF's programmes in Abkhazia and in integrating them, as far as possible, with UNICEF programmes carried out on government controlled territory. Her/his conflict sensitivity, recommendations and decisions on situation analysis, programme strategy, introduction of new initiatives, planning, implementation and evaluation, as well as the use of funds and human resources directly impact on the often delicate working relations with the de facto authorities and the achievement of planned results and objectives. The achievements of results and objectives also depends to a high degree on her/his recommendations and decisions made on which programmes to support or not, on the quality and acceptability of documentation for submission to the de facto authorities, the Government of Georgia, key donors, the RO or HQ, on the deployment or redeployment of staff within the office, as well as on hiring of consultants.
IV. Competencies and level of proficiency required (please base on UNICEF Competency Profiles)
Core Values
Commitment
Diversity and inclusion
Integrity
Core competencies
Communication (II)
Drive for Result (II)
Working With People (II)
Functional Competencies:
Analyzing (II)
Deciding and Initiating Action (II)
Formulating Strategies and Concepts (II)
Leading and Supervising (II)
Persuading and Influencing (II)
Relating and Networking (II)
V. Recruitment Qualifications
Education: Advanced university degree in Social Sciences, Public Administration, International Relations, Business Administration, Public Health, Education, or other fields related to the work of UNICEF.
Experience: A minimum of eight years of progressively responsible professional work experience at the national and international levels in social development, management, monitoring nd evaluation.
Language Requirements: Fluency in English and Russian.
Deadline - 6 PM Georgian Standard Time , 27 February 2017
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.
Job organizational context: The Chief of Sukhumi Field Office is deployed in the Georgia Country Office that in addition to its programmes in Georgia (TAT) is in parallel covering separate programme activities in the non-government-controlled Abkhazia region. The Chief of Field Office reports to the Deputy Representative.
Purpose for the job: Under the policy guidance of the Representative and the supervision of the Deputy Representative, in support to and in close cooperation with the UNICEF Country Office in Tbilisi, the incumbent is responsible for maintaining and further developing UNICEF's working relations with the de facto authorities and other local stakeholders in Abkhazia, and for the development, planning, resource mobilization, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all programmes of the Sukhumi Field Office.
II. Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks (Please outline the key accountabilities for this position and underneath each accountability, the duties that describe how they are delivered. Please limit to four to seven accountabilities)
Summary of key functions/accountabilities:
Maintains and further develops UNICEF's work relations with the de facto authorities and other local stakeholders, gives direction and supervision to a group of professionals and support staff in order to develop and administer UNICEF-supported programme, in the following manner:
1. Maintains and further develops UNICEF's work relations with the de facto authorities and other local stakeholders in Abkhazia, as well as with Abkhazia-related partners in the rest of Georgia. Supports Abkhazia-related meetings with representatives of other international organizations and with officials of the Government of Georgia. During the absence of Representative and/or Deputy Representative from Abkhazia, represents UNICEF in the meetings with the de facto authorities, UN, donor agencies, NGOs/CSOs and community based organizations to support inter-agency efforts, promote joint assessments and initiatives. (15 percent)
2. Provides recommendations to the Representative and Deputy Representative on UNICEF assistance in Abkhazia and reports on current developments in the region relevant for UNICEF's programme implementation. Provides leadership to the UNICEF technical officers/specialists and other programme staff based in the Abkhazia region in the development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programmes, and to guide, inform, support and/or undertake on-going assessments of local conditions affecting children and mothers, including the development of situation analysis capacity; In close coordination with the UNICEF staff, including the respective UNICEF sections and partners, ensures that priority interventions are identified and determined based on Work plans and the Country Program Action Plan. Undertakes field visits to monitor and assess programme implementation and decides on required corrective action. (25 percent)
3. Ensures that use of UNICEF's resources is optimized through cross-sectoral planning, implementation and monitoring. All financial inputs are in line with UNICEF's policies and procedures as well as agreed programme strategies; Programme implementation is regularly monitored and progress, where applicable, evaluated to ensure achievement of the planned results and objectives. (20 percent)
4. Develops, manages and reviews annual work plans, mid-term review and any other programming process in the Abkhazia region, in close cooperation with the respective sections of the Georgia CO; Coordinates and facilitates technical decisions on program and/or project administration and implementation with the aim to promote convergence and integration of the UNICEF supported programs (Mother and Child Health, Water, Sanitation & Hygiene, Adolescents and Youth, Education, HIV/AIDS, Child Protection). Coordinates the major studies, assessments and evaluation exercises as well as annual review meetings and oversees the preparation of donor and annual/programme status reports. (15 percent)
5. Ensures that all operations related issues (e.g. Human Resource, Admin, Supply and Logistics, Security and Staff Welfare, travel plans, use of vehicles, communication systems) are effectively and efficiently coordinated within the Sukhumi Office and with the Tbilisi Office; Responsible for the safety, security and well-being of all UNICEF field based staff. (10 percent)
6. Vulnerability analysis, assessments, disaster preparedness and response strategies in the non-food sectors are well integrated within programs, and coherent/adapted to the particular nature of the region's risks and vulnerabilities; Emergency assessments undertaken and emergency response action plans developed when required; Emergency response/Humanitarian actions implemented in accordance with the Core Commitments for Children. (5 percent)
7. Ensures timely ordering and delivery of materials and supplies as well as disbursement of cash assistance and provision of other services for program / project implementation. Monitors the overall commitment, expenditure and liquidation of programme funds. Takes necessary action for optimal use of programme funds in Abkhazia. (5 percent)
8. Performs other duties when required. (5 percent)
III. Impact of Results (Please briefly outline how the efficiency and efficacy of the incumbent impacts its office/division and how this in turn improves UNICEF's capacity in achieving its goals)
The efficiency and efficacy of the incumbent plays a key role in maintaining and developing UNICEF's programmes in Abkhazia and in integrating them, as far as possible, with UNICEF programmes carried out on government controlled territory. Her/his conflict sensitivity, recommendations and decisions on situation analysis, programme strategy, introduction of new initiatives, planning, implementation and evaluation, as well as the use of funds and human resources directly impact on the often delicate working relations with the de facto authorities and the achievement of planned results and objectives. The achievements of results and objectives also depends to a high degree on her/his recommendations and decisions made on which programmes to support or not, on the quality and acceptability of documentation for submission to the de facto authorities, the Government of Georgia, key donors, the RO or HQ, on the deployment or redeployment of staff within the office, as well as on hiring of consultants.
IV. Competencies and level of proficiency required (please base on UNICEF Competency Profiles)
Core Values
Commitment
Diversity and inclusion
Integrity
Core competencies
Communication (II)
Drive for Result (II)
Working With People (II)
Functional Competencies:
Analyzing (II)
Deciding and Initiating Action (II)
Formulating Strategies and Concepts (II)
Leading and Supervising (II)
Persuading and Influencing (II)
Relating and Networking (II)
V. Recruitment Qualifications
Education: Advanced university degree in Social Sciences, Public Administration, International Relations, Business Administration, Public Health, Education, or other fields related to the work of UNICEF.
Experience: A minimum of eight years of progressively responsible professional work experience at the national and international levels in social development, management, monitoring nd evaluation.
Language Requirements: Fluency in English and Russian.
Deadline - 6 PM Georgian Standard Time , 27 February 2017
Advertised: Feb 03 2017 Georgian Standard Time
Application close: Feb 27 2017 Georgian Standard Time
Application close: Feb 27 2017 Georgian Standard Time