UNICEF recruits 01 Representative, (P-5)

*Internal UNICEF candidates should apply through the SSRRE Batch link.

 

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children’s rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential to the benefit of a better world.

For every child, dedication.

The Representative serves as the accredited representative of the UNICEF Executive Director in the Country and reports to the Regional Director for general direction. The Representative is responsible for establishing dialogue with the government to develop the framework of cooperation in the country and for working closely and collaboratively with the government and national institutions, stakeholders and partners, to develop the UNICEF Country Programme of Cooperation in support of UNICEF, national and international development efforts to advance children’s rights to survival, development and protection as established under the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), international treaties/framework and UN intergovernmental bodies, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) collaboratively with other UN agencies and partners.

How can you make a difference?

As Head of a small size Country Office, the Representative is responsible for managing and supervising the CO programmes/projects and operations, providing leadership and vision to the UNICEF country programme team in managing and leveraging resources for the achievement of results and the realization of the rights of children. The Representative leads and manages the various program, cross-sectoral and operations teams ensuring delivery of quality results in accordance with the UNICEF Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework, ethics and integrity.

The Representative’s key functions and accountabilities include:

• Developing and planning the Country Program
• Leading and managing the CO, including ensuring adequate working conditions and wellbeing of staff
• Monitoring and quality control of the Country Program
• Representation and external relations at global/national level
• Building alliance, resource mobilization and UN System coordination
• Leading innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
• Overseeing the safety and security of staff, programmes and organizational assets
• Advocating for children’s rights

Country Typology:

• Country Income Level: Equatorial Guinea is an Upper-Middle Income country
• Duty Station: Malabo, « D » hardship; family duty station
• Office Size: 22 Staff; 6 IP, 6 NO, 10 GS (33% Female, 83% Programme)
• Annual Budget: Average of 3 million $US
• Good for 1^st time Representative: Yes
• Schooling: Three International Schools (French, English and Spanish based curriculum)
• Security: Low risk

Brief country context:

• Equatorial Guinea is classified as an upper middle-income country mainly due to the rapid economic growth in the oil sector, which accounts for 60 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) and 80 per cent of fiscal revenue. In the past 15 years the Government has made significant investment in infrastructure (roads, ports, airports, institutional buildings, etc); however, its ranking on the human development index in 2018 was 141 out of 189 countries which is low compared to countries with the same income per capita. During the economic boom, the prevalence of monetary poverty decreased from 77 per cent in 2006 to 44 per cent in 2011, and the proportion of people living in extreme poverty declined from 33 to 14 per cent. The 2015 census estimated the population at 1.2 million, with 72 per cent living in the continental region and 28 per cent in the insular region. The population is young and doubled in the past 15 years with accelerated urbanization (70 per cent of the population living in urban areas) with 43 per cent under age 18 and 15 per cent under-five.  Life expectancy increased from 48 years in 1990 to 58 years in 2016. The under-five mortality rate (U5MR) declined from 179 to 86 per 1,000 live births between 1990 and 2018 which shows insufficient progress compared with other sub-Saharan African countries.
• In decision making process, the country is highly centralized. The Government is vertically structured with limited institutional capacity of its various entities. The Civil Society is incipient with limitation in its expansion, organization and capacity. This situation limits a higher impact of UN support/performance including UNICEF.
• The programme of cooperation includes two integrated and interdependent programme components to optimize the synergy between policy advice and programme implementation. The child protection and equity programme focuses on policy, advocacy and system strengthening to address bottlenecks in the enabling environment. The child survival, development and learning programme supports advocacy that all children, particularly those in underserved areas, have equitable access to quality health and education services, and promotes essential family practices through an integrated district approach.
• The need to move progressively from service delivery towards more upstream work and technical advisory functions has been requested by the Government and it is in line with the new UNDAF (2019-2023).
• The total budget of the Equatorial Guinea CPD for 2019-2023 is USD 17 million of which 24% is RR and 76% is ORR.Â
• While there is limited interest from traditional donors, there is huge potential for leveraging Government own funds and partnerships with oil and gas private sector companies. The main office is located in Malabo Island (capital city) in the UN Building, with one sub-office in the Continental part.

 

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have: 

Qualifications:

• An Advanced University Degree in social sciences, international relations, government and public relations, public or social policy, sociology, social or community development or other related fields, is required.
• A minimum of 10 years of professional development experience that combines managerial and technical leadership in development cooperation at the international level, some of which served in developing countries is required. Relevant professional experience in any UN system agency or organization is an asset.
• Oral and written proficiency in English and Spanish is required. Knowledge of another official UN language French, Portuguese or a local language is an asset.

Person Profile:

• Working experience in upper middle to high income country and complex political scenarios.
• Demonstrated capacity of drive, focused and action oriented for achieving results with strong Programme experience.
• Proven capacity to building good relationships, influencing and establishing shared value partnerships and leveraging funds from Govt, excellent team work developer and good communication skills in Spanish (English or French as second languages).
• Proved experience in organizing and coordination with flexible and analytical capacity to take decision and advocacy skills.
• Experience in implementing program combined with upstream policy/advocacy experience but also proven experience in grass-root implementation program as well.
• Familiarity with health, education and social policy/social protection and child protection using child friendly integrated approaches.
• Experience in joint programming mechanisms and good team builder in the context of the UN reform and reinvigorated RC system.

For every child, you demonstrate:

Core Values

• Commitment
• Diversity and inclusion
• Integrity

Leadership Competencies

• Delivers Results
• Engages and Nurtures
• Demonstrates Self-Awareness
• Manages Complexity and Change
• Creates and Maintains Impact and Partnership
• Innovates and Takes Risks

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This position is classified as « rotational » which means the incumbent is expected to rotate to another duty station upon completion of their tour of duty.

 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

 

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.