Programme Officer

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For every child, safety.

PURPOSE OF THE JOB
Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Deputy Representative – Programme, the incumbent will support the coordination, implementation, and monitoring of UNICEF Uzbekistan's programmes in the Surkhandarya and Kashkadarya regions. The incumbent will also report directly to the Representative on matters related to coordination, interagency engagement, and liaison with the UNICEF Country Office in Afghanistan.

The role combines strategic programme oversight, technical leadership in climate and emergency programming, and liaison functions with local government, UN agencies, and civil society partners—primarily for the Uzbekistan Country Office, and as needed, for the Afghanistan Country Office.

Additionally, the incumbent will act as the focal point for emergency preparedness, climate change, and disaster risk reduction (DRR), ensuring that programming in these areas is integrated, responsive, and aligned with UNICEF's strategic priorities.

KEY END-RESULTS
1. Programme Coordination & Implementation

• Coordinate the implementation of annual work plans outputs assigned to the two regions by program sections at the country office level.
• Liaise with regional governors, CSOs, and UN partners to ensure alignment and synergy.
• Generate and consolidate sub-national reports and provide regular updates to the Programme Management Team (PMT) and Country Management Team (CMT).

2. Emergency Preparedness & Response

• Support risk analysis and early warning efforts.
• Support the development and implementation of emergency preparedness and response plans.
• Assist with emergency assessments, response activities, and reporting.
• Maintain strong collaboration with the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Institute of Civil Protection and the Red Crescent Society in ensuring Emergency Preparedness and Response planning conforms to UNICEF's Core Commitment for Children in Humanitarian Settings

3. Climate Change & DRR Programming

• Contribute to the design and implementation of climate adaptation and DRR initiatives.
• Promote child-sensitive climate policies and youth engagement in climate action.
• Support evidence generation and advocacy for climate-resilient development.
• Coordinate Climate Change and DRR activities for the Country Office

4. Monitoring, Evaluation & Knowledge Management

• Conduct field monitoring and contribute to evaluations.
• Assist in timely and accurate reporting on programme results.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and lessons learned across sectors.
  

5. Capacity Building & Technical Support

• Support training of staff and partners in emergency and climate programming.
• Support local institutional capacities for resilience and risk reduction.
  

6. Partnerships & Advocacy

• Support partnerships with government, UN, donors, and civil society.
• Support advocacy for child rights and resilience in national and regional policy dialogues.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES and DUTIES & TASKS

Within the delegated authority and the given organizational set-up, the incumbent may be accountable for all or assigned areas of the following major duties and end results.

1. Knowledge Management for Programmes
Contribute to country programmes by supporting knowledge management through providing professional assistance in data collection and analysis, complete and accurate reporting as well as participation in the Programme Knowledge Network system of "lessons learned" and other corporate-level databases.

Participate in information exchange with partners as well as in the development of training and orientation material by providing professional technical assistance. Participate in the preparation of, and making professional contribution to, the preparation of programme reports required for the management.

2. Programme Development and Management
Provide professional technical assistance in the preparation of the Situation Analysis for programme development and management by collecting and analyzing data and monitoring implementation progress. Contribute to the identification of critical intervention points and measures by administering a consistent and transparent monitoring system; analyse sub-regional level socio-political-economic trends
and their implications for ongoing programmes and projects. Draft or prepare consolidated programme work plans in collaboration with section chiefs as required. Propose adjustments/changes in work plans.

Propose program recommendations for inclusion in formal programme documentation, and new approaches, methods and practices for supervisor.

3. Optimum Use of Programme Funds
Monitors programme implementation progress and compliance. Monitors the allocation and disbursement of programme funds, making sure that funds are properly coordinated, monitored and liquidated. Takes appropriate recommendations or actions to optimize use of programme funds.

Ensure that required collation of activities and budgets from contributing programmes for achieving the sub national results and targets are proposed, agreed, and included in rolling work plans and program
documents.

4. Programme Monitoring and Evaluations
Undertakes and facilitates field visits to monitor and assess programme implementation and recommends required corrective action. Collaborate with partners to carry out a rigorous and transparent approach to evaluation and participate in the major programme evaluation exercises as per approved IMEP.

5. Rights-Based and Results-Based Programme Management Approach
Support a rights-based programmes approach in the formulation of programme goals and objectives and development of strategies and implementation frameworks. Collaborate with partners and assist in the strengthening of quality child rights-based programmes through consistent and effective planning, design, implementation, monitoring and/or evaluation of programmes and projects. Contribute to coherence, synergy and added value to the programming planning and design processes using a results-based management approach to programme planning and design. Provide professional technical assistance in preparing viable recommendations on project implementation, alternative approaches, new initiatives and optimal utilization of resources that contribute effectively to the fulfilment of the rights of children and women.

6. Coordination and Reporting
Act as the main liaison officer between UNICEF and Regional Governors including government officials and representatives of civil society organizations at the district level.

Coordinate across programme sections, cross-sectoral areas, operations, and the identification, implementation and monitoring of high impact, catalytic, intersectoral strategies, approaches, and actions that will lead to the achievement of the program results. Coordinate field missions from Tashkent as per approved field missions SOP.

Consolidate reports at sub national level capturing achievements, constraints and lessons learned, and report regularly to the Program Management Team (PMT), on progress in overcoming barriers and moving towards identified changes through agreed intersectoral approaches, and ultimately to the CMT (Country Management Team).

Facilitate systematic and timely information exchange among all programs, on the implementation and progress made on overcoming barriers and accomplishing expected changes.

7. Rights Perspective and Advocacy at the National, Community and Family Levels
Analyze programme related issues and policies from a children's and women's rights perspective and advocacy at the community and family levels for elevating credibility in national policy debates. Promote the organization goals of UNICEF through active advocacy and communication.

8. Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration
Facilitate partnership and collaboration with internal and external counterparts, including those of the UN and national partners, in order to improve the ability to collect and disseminate development data and information, exchange information on programme/project status and implementation and movement/distribution of supplies. Establish and maintain linkage to the Regional Programme Knowledge Network to ensure the availability of current and accurate programme data.

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: A university degree in one of the following fields is required: Social Sciences, International Relations,
  Environmental Studies, Public Policy, or a related field.
• Work Experience: A minimum of two years of relevant professional work experience in programme coordination, emergency
  response, and/or climate change. Experience in a developing country and with the UN is an asset.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English and Uzbek required. Knowledge of Russian or another UN language is an asset.

Technical Knowledge

a) Specific Technical Knowledge Required

• Rights-based and Results-based approach and programming in UNICEF.
• UNICEF programme policy, procedures and guidelines in the Manual.

b) Common Technical Knowledge Required (for the job group)

• Methodology of programme/project management
• UNICEF programmatic goals, visions, positions, policies and strategies.
• Knowledge of global human rights issues, specifically relating to children and women, and the
  current UNCEF position and approaches.
• UNICEF policies and strategy to address on national and international issues, particularly relating
  to conflicts, natural disasters, and recovery.
• UNICEF emergency programme policies, goals, strategies and approaches.
• Gender equality and diversity awareness

c) Technical Knowledge to be Acquired/Enhanced (for the Job)

• UN policies and strategy to address international humanitarian issues and the responses.
• UN common approaches to programmatic issues and UNICEF positions
• UN security operations and guidelines.
• UNSECORD training for members of Security Management Team

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…

(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 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

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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 is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. 

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.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF's Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

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.

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