Background and Purpose

The Joint Government of Uganda – UNICEF Country Programme (2021-2025) provides a framework that guides UNICEF’s interventions in Uganda. Aligned to the National Development Plan III, it supports the operationalization of the national sustainable development goals roadmap (2018). The Country Programme is an integral part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for Uganda 2021– 2025 and is aligned with the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework.

The programme has sectoral components: Maternal Newborn Health; Child Health; Adolescent Health; Nutrition; Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH); Inclusive and Quality Education; Child Protection; and Social Protection. Focus is also placed on ensuring that priority cross-sectoral themes – including Early Childhood Development, Adolescent Development, Social Behaviour Change Communication and Advocacy – contribute to holistic results for children. UNICEF’s programming makes use of gender-transformative and life-cycle approaches, while strengthening humanitarian-development linkages; supporting the national response to pandemics and disease outbreaks; exploring innovative solutions and fostering shared value partnerships, including with the private sector and young people.

In quarter one of FY2023/24, the Government of Uganda launched the roadmap for the development of the next National Development Plan IV and in tandem, the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in January 2024 released the pathway to contributing to the development of the NDP IV process and a substantive road map to the development of the next UN Sustainable Cooperation Framework 2026-2030.

Justification

Three co-current strategic planning processes – the development of NDP IV, the UNSDCF 2026-2030 and the Government of Uganda-UNICEF Country Programme 2026 – 2030, gain momentum in 2024. Alongside these, the Country Programme Team continues to strengthen efforts aimed at implementing post 2023 mid-term priorities geared at accelerating results for children.

The consultancy will thus augment coordination efforts – supporting the Office of the Deputy Representative, Chief PME and the Planning and Monitoring Specialist in maintaining momentum on coordinating cross-sectoral efforts, inter-agency coordination while supporting section teams discern evidence and forward-looking priorities for the next country programme.

Proposed major Tasks.

1. Technical Support to UNICEF’s engagement with UNSDCF 2026-2030

• Support collection and collation of data on children (contribution to CCA)
• Contribute to consolidation of UNICEF inputs to the CCA, including quality assurance of the final draft.
• Support internal and external coordination efforts during the CCA and the new UN Sustainable Cooperation Framework development process.
• Draft and consolidate section’s inputs to the new UNSCDF narrative and Result framework, including quality assurance of narratives and RBM language.
• Update UN INFO (support to annual current UNSCDF reporting)

2. Technical Support to UNICEF CPP 2026-2030

• Provide technical and coordination support to the CPP learning sessions (CPP process and RBM training).
• Support knowledge management of the Evidence Synthesis Process of the CPP
• Provide support to PME and DRP’s Office for timely and effective coordination of the CPP development process.

3. Technical support to mid-year and end-year UNICEF CPD reporting

• Drafting of strategic reports and technical notes

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

• Advanced degree is required in one of the following fields: international relations, political science, communications, international development, or another relevant technical field.
• A minimum of two years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: Planning, research, M&E or other relevant area. Advanced skills in writing, editing, research and monitoring.
• Advanced skills diplomacy and strategic thinking.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, international and multicultural environment.
• Ability to multi-task, to handle stressful situations effectively; and to work well under pressure and in response to changing needs.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations within a team.
• Proven ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Exceptional communications skills, verbal and written.

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

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others (8) Nurtures, leads and manages people.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

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 benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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 promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, 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’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable are encouraged to apply.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.