Switzerland: Planning Officer, P-2

Organization: UN Children's Fund
Country: Switzerland
Closing date: 23 Sep 2014

Purpose of the Position

Under the general supervision of the Regional Director for the CEE/CIS, the Planning Officer provides professional assistance and support for planning and coordination activities to meet strategic results. As part of the Regional Director's Office team, the incumbent provides assistance in streamlining of work processes, strengthening internal communication, and ensuring quality control of briefings and progress reports. The incumbent also supports facilitation and coordination of the management mechanisms of the regional office, including managing the agenda and follow-up actions of the Regional Office Management Team and the wider management team; researches and analyses UNICEF strategies, reports or programmes, drafts briefings and prepares presentations for the Regional Director (RD) and Deputy Regional Director (DRD).

Key Expected Results

1. Information Management
   Keep abreast of critical/strategic initiatives as delegated/requested by the RD and DRD, and prioritize issues in need of immediate attention. Strengthen and ensure planning mechanisms within the Front Office.
   Participate in travel and meetings as required, including organizing meetings, note taking, reporting on outcomes and following up on actions.
   Organize and draft responses and provide editorial and substantive inputs as necessary in correspondence submitted for the signature of the RD or DRD. This requires reading of relevant incoming/outgoing materials, correspondences, and contractual documents for accuracy and detail.
   Ensure and strengthen the smooth flow of relevant information from and to the Front Office, to country offices and HQ as well as external partners as requested.
2. Programme Development and Management
   Prepare substantive materials such as background papers for speeches, talking points for meetings, briefing notes and presentations in consultation with relevant colleagues.
   Support the RD and DRD in relation to UNICEF's work in the Country Offices; in particular, act as the Front Office focal point for briefing/country notes for missions in consultation with relevant colleagues, including Representatives.
3. Programme Monitoring and Evaluations
   Attends RO management and other meetings, prepares notes, monitors and ensures follow-up actions related to planning and coordination and other management decisions, including facilitating internal communication.
   Provide professional assistance in the preparation of documentation by collecting and analyzing data and monitoring implementation progress when required. Contribute to the identification of critical intervention points and measures by administering a consistent monitoring system. Draft or prepare action plans as required. Propose adjustments/changes in action plans.
4. Coordination and Collaboration
   Facilitate collaboration with internal and external counterparts, including those of the UN and other partners, in order to improve the ability to collect and disseminate development information. Establish and maintain linkage to ensure the availability of current and accurate facts to inform the Regional priorities.
   Maintain close collaboration with Regional Advisers, country offices and HQ Officers for overall coordination.
   In order to facilitate collaboration with external counterparts, the regional UN interagency mechanisms such as the Regional Coordination Mechanism and Regional UNDG, consolidate and draft regional positions in collaboration with relevant colleagues.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

Education
Advanced university degree in Social Sciences, International Relations, Government, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or other relevant disciplines, with specialized training in conflict resolution.
Work Experience
Two years of relevant professional work experience; developing country work experience or field work experience in a coordinating role.
Language Proficiency
Fluency in English and another UN language required

Competencies of Successful Candidate

Communicates effectively to varied audiences, including during formal public speaking;
Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment; demonstrates awareness of own strengths and limitations and how these may impact on own work;
Sets high standards for quality of work and consistently achieves project goals;
Analyzes and integrates potentially conflicting numerical, verbal and other data from a number of sources; makes rational judgments from the available information;
Translates strategic direction into plans and objectives;
Plans activities and projects well in advance and takes account of possible changing circumstances;
Rapidly learns new tasks and commits information to memory quickly; gathers comprehensive information to support decision making;
Demonstrates and shares detailed technical knowledge and expertise;

Remarks

The New and Emerging Talent Initiative (NETI) is an entry point for dynamic professionals interested in an international career with UNICEF. Aside from the qualifications indicated in the job description for this post, all NETI programme applicants must also meet the following minimum requirements:

1. Completion of an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) at the time of application;
2. Proficiency in English and another official language of the United Nations;
3. Readiness to be assigned to any UNICEF office worldwide, including hardship duty stations;
4. At least 2 years of relevant work experience for functions at the P-2 level, and at least 5 years of relevant work experience for functions at the P-3 level. Relevant experience should include work in developing countries and in multicultural environments.
   All applicants will be required to complete a technical test questionnaire at the time of application. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified and will therefore advance to the next stage of the competitive selection process, which involves various additional assessments including a language proficiency test.
   For more information on the NETI Programme, please visit the UNICEF website: www.unicef.org/neti
   *Pending Classification

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 our organization.

How to apply:

Click here and submit your application through UNICEF's e-recruitment system.