Regional Chief of Programme & Planning (P-5), #00137930, TA, 7 months, Regional Services Division - Programme Section, Panama City -Panama, LACR

Organizational Context

UNICEF operates in over 190 countries and territories, dedicated to saving children's lives, defending their rights, and helping them fulfill their potential from early childhood through adolescence. We are committed, passionate, and proud of our work, viewing the promotion of every child's rights not just as a job, but as a calling.

Job Purpose

The Regional Chief of Programme & Planning is pivotal in achieving the UNICEF LAC Regional Office objectives. This role ensures regional and country-level plans align with strategic goals, focusing on deliberate, costed efforts to advance the Strategic Plan and ROMP. A key responsibility is ensuring access to high-quality, up-to-date data across all Strategic Plan Results Areas, supported by robust monitoring and reporting. The incumbent will also train staff in Results-based Management, enhancing their skills in managing results. In line with UNDS reform, the position fosters collaboration and coherence in UNICEF’s planning, monitoring, and reporting processes, ensuring alignment with partners.

Responsibilities

The Regional Chief of Programme & Planning provides essential technical leadership, management advice, and programme support across the region, facilitating the adaptation of UNICEF policies and strategies. This includes offering leadership, vision, oversight, knowledge management, and articulating policies and strategies. The role involves coordinating programme strategy and implementation, building capacity, supporting planning, monitoring, and knowledge management, and fostering strategic partnerships. The incumbent oversees support to Country Offices at key programming milestones, enhancing data quality for children and reinforcing a culture of Results-based Management and Budgeting. They lead technical expertise to Country Offices for data collection, analysis, and utilization, including piloting the UNICEF Data for Children Strategy. Key functions include developing and advocating for regional programme policies and strategies, coordinating strategy implementation with various levels of management, and maintaining and disseminating technical expertise. The role also focuses on improving data availability and quality for decision-making and monitoring, strengthening staff and partner capacities, and providing innovative technical leadership for evidence-based programmes.

Work Experience

A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in programme planning, management, and implementation, with at least 5 years at the international level. Experience in Results-based Management and working with UN agencies or similar international organizations is highly desirable.

Skills

Programme Planning and Management, Results-Based Management (RBM), Data Analysis and Monitoring, Strategic Planning, Capacity Building, Knowledge Management, Stakeholder Engagement, UN System Reform, Leadership and Management, Interpersonal Skills, Communication Skills, Emergency Preparedness

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