Planning & Monitoring Specialist

The Planning & Monitoring Specialist is responsible for planning, programme monitoring, Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT), supporting integrated programme initiatives, humanitarian response and Basic Human Needs (BHN) programme, coordination and networking at sub-national level in Southern Afghanistan (Kandahar). The role involves collaboration with country office staff and national partners to ensure effective programme planning and monitoring.

Responsibilities

• Programme Planning: Ensure well-prioritised and realistic planning & monitoring activities collaboratively developed to provide relevant and strategic information for managing the Country Programme.
• Programme Monitoring: Collect and disseminate quality information with participation of all concerned partners to assess progress towards expected annual and multi-year results.
• Planning and Monitoring Capacity Building: Enhance RBM and evidence-based planning and monitoring capacities of Country Office staff and national partners – government and civil society.
• Coordination and Networking: Link UNICEF office to wider UNICEF P&M developments to contribute to and benefit from organizational learning on effective P&M management.
• Emergency and nexus programme support: Support Emergency and Nexus Programme with focus on humanitarian response and basic human needs (BHN).

Requirements

• Advanced university degree in social sciences, statistics, planning development, planning.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible relevant professional work experience at the national or sub-national level in programme planning, implementation, monitoring, budget monitoring.
• Field work experience is required.
• At least one instance of exposure to emergency programming, including preparedness planning is required.
• Programme monitoring and planning skills.
• Data analysis and reporting skills.
• Knowledge of monitoring methodologies and statistical analysis.
• Data management and interpretation skills.
• Experience with monitoring partnerships and international best practices.
• Knowledge of gender equality and diversity principles.
• Team management, coaching and capacity building skills.
• Familiarity with UNICEF monitoring policies, tools and procedures.
• Understanding of UNICEF mission, strategic framework and UN system.
• Fluency in English, and the national language of the duty station: Pashto and Dari are required.
• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) is an asset.
• Practical experience in monitoring large programmes is an asset.
• Active involvement in a humanitarian crisis response programme is preferred.
• Experience in cash-based programming, including effective coordination and risk-informed management of field level implementation of cash-transfers is an asset.
• Experience and knowledge in managing grievance redressal mechanisms for cash-based programming is an asset.
• Experience in managing Service Providers (i.e. Financial Service Providers, Third Party Monitors etc.) is an asset.
• Relevant country-level experience in development, fragile, or humanitarian settings.

Skills

• Programme Planning
• Programme Monitoring
• Budget Monitoring
• Field Work
• Emergency Programming
• Preparedness Planning
• Data Analysis
• Data Reporting
• Monitoring Methodologies
• Statistical Analysis
• Data Management
• Data Interpretation
• Monitoring Partnerships
• Gender Equality Principles
• Diversity Principles
• Team Management
• Coaching
• Capacity Building
• UNICEF Monitoring Policies
• UNICEF Monitoring Tools
• UNICEF Monitoring Procedures
• Humanitarian Response
• Cash-based programming
• Risk-Informed Management
• Grievance redress mechanisms
• Service Provider Contract Management
• UN Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers

Languages

English, Pashto, Dari