Nicaragua: Representative, P-5, Managua, Nicaragua

If you are a passionate and committed professional and want to make a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you. UNICEF, the world’s leading organization working for the rights of children, seeks a Representative, P-5, Managua, Nicaragua

Purpose:

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 Program of Cooperation in support of UNICEF’s and national and international development efforts to advance children’s rights to survival, development and well being as established under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, international treaties/framework and UN intergovernmental bodies.

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

Responsibilities:

Key Functions and Accountabilities:

• Developing and planning the Country Program
• Leading and managing the CO
• 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
• Safety and security of staff, programs and organizational assets

Country Typology:

• Low middle income country in a complex internal socio political context.
• Challenges in mobilizing resources in a highly constrained fiscal environment and gradual consolidation / exit of traditional donors.
• The country is highly prone to emergencies associated with natural disasters.
• The Country Office has a yearly throughput of approximately $5 million USD per year, two Sub-Offices and currently has 24 staff members and 9 United Nations Volunteers.

Person Profile

• Previous experience as a Representative or Senior position in managing development operations is important. In particular:
• Strong negotiation skills and ability to handle politically sensitive issues.
• Strong public relations and communication skills and the ability to influence and persuade high level government and non-governmental stake holders.
• Proven experience in translating strategic priorities into concrete programmatic actions, identifying and developing opportunities for children, with special emphasis on the implementation of public policies, budgeting and investing for children, and institutional reforms, in order to advance the equity agenda.
• Ability to strategically position UNICEF as a partner of choice in the development sector, both at the government and non-governmental level, to advance national and local initiatives aimed at fulfilling children's rights.
• Strong interpersonal skills and capacity to lead and motivate a team of international and national professionals. Change management experience is an asset.
• Ability to successfully operate under pressure, in a tense environment, and deliver within deadlines.
• Experience in emergency programming is an asset.

Minimum Requirements:

• 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 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 or a local language is an asset.

Applicants are requested to submit a CV, cover letter, P.11 form or eRecruitment Profile to recruit.ssr@unicef.orgby 12 August 2015.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.