Child Friendly Municipalities Coordinator

Organizational Context

UNICEF, established in 1946, is an international humanitarian agency for children operating in over 192 countries. In Cameroon since 1975, UNICEF focuses on education, water and sanitation, child protection, HIV/AIDS, and nutrition. The Child Friendly Municipalities Initiative aims to integrate children's rights into local public policies, strengthening decentralized governance and service delivery. This initiative addresses challenges in child well-being by enhancing municipal capacities to plan, budget, and monitor child-focused interventions, ensuring alignment with national and international commitments.

Job Purpose

The Child Friendly Municipalities Coordinator will support the implementation and monitoring of the Child Friendly Municipalities (CFM) initiative across selected municipalities in Cameroon. This role involves strengthening the capacities of local authorities to integrate children's rights into municipal management, planning, and service delivery. The coordinator will facilitate the adoption and implementation of CFM tools, monitor progress through data collection and reporting, and provide technical support to municipalities. The ultimate goal is to accelerate the fulfillment of children's rights at the community level, consolidate local interventions, and ensure that municipal priorities effectively address the specific needs of children, including girls, boys, and children with disabilities.

Responsibilities

The Child Friendly Municipalities Coordinator will be responsible for developing a directory of participating municipalities, disseminating relevant tools and frameworks for intervention, and organizing capacity-building sessions for local authorities. The role involves monitoring the implementation of initiatives within municipalities using appropriate tools, relaying community feedback to UNICEF focal points, and coordinating technical support. The coordinator will also participate in establishing municipal monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, facilitate data collection for tool development and assessment, and create an Excel spreadsheet to track process and performance indicators. For the Buea-based position, collaboration with the NASLA institute and the PAC/Resource Mobilization Unit for fundraising activities targeting the private sector is also required. Expected results include the adoption and implementation of tools by municipalities, the establishment of results frameworks, strengthened municipal capacities in children's rights, and regular monitoring and implementation reports.

Work Experience

A minimum of three years of relevant professional experience is required. This should include experience with common computer applications, database management, and analysis. Strong analytical and synthesis skills for reporting, excellent communication abilities, and experience working in multicultural environments are essential. Aptitude for field work with communities, problem-solving skills related to municipal administration, and experience in local development or decentralization are highly desirable.

Skills

Key competencies include strong interpersonal skills, excellent written and oral communication, analytical and synthesis abilities, and a proactive approach. The candidate must demonstrate accountability, integrity, respect, and the ability to work collaboratively and build partnerships. Proficiency in French and English is required, along with knowledge of local languages. Familiarity with community development, education, and health sectors is beneficial.

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