Deputy Regional Director, West and Central Africa (WCAR), D-1, Dakar, Senegal

Organizational Context

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfil their potential. The organization is dedicated to building a better world for every child, everywhere, every day, with a commitment that never wavers.

Job Purpose

The Deputy Regional Director (DRD) will be a key member of the regional leadership team, supporting the Regional Director in managing the Regional Office for West and Central Africa (WCAR). The role involves ensuring coordination and synergy across various functional areas to implement integrated, multi-sectoral approaches aligned with the Regional Agenda for Children and the UNICEF Strategic Plan (2026-2029). This will be achieved through close collaboration with 24 country offices, headquarters divisions, and Centres of Excellence (CoEs). The DRD will lead the Virtual Regional Programme Delivery Platform (VRPDP), mobilizing multidisciplinary expertise to provide tailored support for programme delivery, operations, partnerships, planning, innovation, communication, advocacy, emergency response, and management, thereby strengthening country office performance and accelerating results for children.

Responsibilities

The Deputy Regional Director (DRD) is accountable for ensuring that each of the 24 Country Offices in the West and Central Africa Region receives optimal guidance and access to relevant competencies. The DRD will facilitate integrated and differentiated multi-country delivery mechanisms to enable Country Offices to achieve sustainable, large-scale results, while Country Representatives retain accountability for programme delivery and country-level outcomes. The DRD will advise and assist the Regional Director on regional policy formulation and implementation, supporting UNICEF's strategies for children in programmes, partnership building, resource mobilization, communications, and advocacy for child rights. The role includes representing the Regional Director within and outside the UN system as needed. Furthermore, the DRD will conduct programme management oversight in the region, providing direction, leadership, and guidance to support the achievement of regional and global goals for children.

Work Experience

A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible professional experience in programme management, policy development, or related fields, with at least five years at a senior management level. Experience in international development, humanitarian affairs, or child-related issues is highly desirable.

Skills

Strategic planning and management, Leadership and team management, Programme development and implementation, Partnership building and resource mobilization, Advocacy and communication, Inter-agency coordination, Financial management and oversight, Risk management, Change management, Cultural sensitivity and adaptability, Problem-solving and decision-making, Negotiation and influencing skills

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