UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, hope

UNICEF Ukraine

How can you make a difference?

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. UNICEF has adopted the Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT) as an approach for obtaining assurance that results have been achieved in line with resource utilization. It aims at managing risk related to cash transfers made to implementing partners in support of programme implementation, reducing partner transaction costs and allowing progressive use of national systems for management and accountability of results and resources.

Purpose of the job:

The Programme Officer (HACT) reports to the Implementing Partnership Management Specialist for close guidance and supervision. The Level 1 is an entry professional level and should therefore be normally used as a trainee level for acquiring organizational knowledge of rules, regulations, and processes to supplement academic and theoretical knowledge of the profession for upward mobility to higher responsibilities.

Under the supervision of the Implementing Partnership Management Specialist, the Programme Officer HACT provides technical, operational, and administrative assistance to facilitate the integration of HACT plans in all programming activities and to ensure the application of HACT and related organizational rules, regulations, and procedures in the Country Office (CO) through implementing partnerships. .

Summary of key functions/accountabilities: 

1. Support to Implementing partnership management
2. Support to implementation of HACT activities
3. Review and use of HACT reports
4. Networking and inter-agency partnership
5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

1. Support to Implementing partnership management

• Provide administrative support to the country office in the formalization of implementing partnerships with civil society organizations in line with relevant policies, procedures, and guidelines, including the CSO Procedure and guidance on work plans.
• Support the partnerships processes as alternate PRC Secretariat for IP Management Specialist, ensuring high quality submissions.
• Provide support to staff and Partner on the formalization of Programme document on ePD-eTools.
• Provide support with Due Diligence and verification of CSOs on UNPP.
• Support with processing and review of partner self-assessment reports on PSEA. Follow up with implementation of action plan and reverifications.
• Support with review and follow up of the HACT Programmatic Visits for the CO.
• Perform other IP management duties as required.

2. Support to implementation of HACT activities 

• Support the HACT/IP management as the reference person on HACT implementation in the office.
• Assist with the preparation and regular updating of CO micro assessment and assurance plans.
• Provide technical and administrative support to external service providers in the execution of HACT activities to ensure timely and efficient delivery of results.
• Assist with maintenance of records of relevant HACT related documentation, including CO decisions related to HACT.

3. Review and use of HACT reports

• Assist with recording and update of risk ratings of implementing partners in VISION through regular review of the Vendor Master and provision of information to relevant colleagues in the CO.
• Share with implementing partners and CO staff HACT related reports, especially reports of assurance activities, to ensure adequate awareness and follow-up of identified issues.
• Follow up on implementation of recommendations made by assurance activities: micro-assessments, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) assessments, financial audits, spot checks, programmatic visits of counterparts and update accordingly corporate tools and systems including Insight and e-Tools and UNPP.

4. Networking and inter-agency partnership

• Exchange information and/or operational support to implementing partners, UN system partners and other stakeholders in the CO on the implementation of HACT to reinforce UN/CO harmonization and coordination as requested by the IP Management Specialist.
• Support with building effective close working partnerships with government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of HACT information and knowledge to facilitate/build their capacity for implementing HACT.

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building  

• Participate in the design, planning and implementation of capacity development strategies/initiatives for implementing partners which can be supported by UNICEF through participation in review of reports of micro assessments and assurance activities of significant and high-risk partners.
• Participate in the design and implementation of capacity development strategies/initiatives for CO staff to ensure that staff has the knowledge and skills to fulfill their responsibilities related to HACT.

Impact of Results

The effective support provided by the Programme Officer (HACT) to the careful planning and effective implementation of the HACT activities directly impacts on programme execution, delivery of sustainable results, and promoting national ownership and accountability for programme resources.

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

Education:

• A university degree in one of the following fields is required: Development studies, International Development, Business Administration, Financial Management, Economics, Auditing, Project/Programme Management, Public Administration, or another relevant technical field.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of one year of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: programme development/management, financial planning and management, or another related area.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset .

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English and local language is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
• Works Collaboratively with others (1)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable persons with disability are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Eligible staff members on fixed-term, continuing or permanent contracts applying to IP TA positions in a duty station designated as L2/L3, may be able to retain a lien and their fixed-term entitlements, subject to approval by their Head of Office. The conditions of the temporary assignment will vary depending on the status of their post and relocation entitlements may be limited as per the relevant policies.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

This position is based in Kyiv and the incumbent will be expected be work on-site. However, depending on the security conditions and advisory, s/he will be required to relocate within Ukraine.