UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to a Future

How can you make a difference?

Job context:

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations

Join our team as a Planning and Monitoring Specialist (Reporting) and play a key role in ensuring the quality, effectiveness, and accountability of UNICEF’s child rights-based programmes in Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The position leads and supports programme planning, monitoring, reporting, and grant management processes, applying a results-based management approach to strengthen programme performance and impact. Working closely with programme and operations teams, the Specialist coordinates country programme planning, donor reporting, and compliance with grant requirements to help deliver measurable results for children.

Key Accountabilities:

Programme Planning and Design
Grant Management
Programme Results Monitoring
Compliance with HACT policies and procedures
Oversight of CSO partnership Management
Rights-Based and Results-Based Planning Approach to Programming
Support partnerships and fund raising with NatComs and bilateral donors.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Download File JD Planning and Monitoring Specialist (Reporting) NO-3.docx

To qualify as a/an [champion or advocate] for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

Education: Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Social Sciences, International Relations, International Development, Sustainable/development Studies, Government, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, Specialized Training in Conflict Resolution or other relevant disciplines.
Work Experience: A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in Programme Planning, Results-based Management, Programme Performance Monitoring and Reporting, Programme Management, Grant Management, Donor Reporting, Data Analysis, or another relevant area is required.
Relevant experience at the national or country-office level, including coordination with government counterparts and development partners, is required.
Skills: Programme Planning & Results-Based Management (RBM), Programme Performance Monitoring, Data Analysis, and Evidence Use; Corporate, Management and Donor Reporting; Grant Management and Donor Compliance; Partnership Management, Coordination & Stakeholder Engagement; Quality Assurance; Facilitation and Capacity-Building; Problem-Solving and Management of Competing Deadlines; and Excellent Oral and Written communication.
Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.

Desirables:

Knowledge of a local language (Singhalese or Tamil) or knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.
Data Evidence Use, Reporting Systems, Coordination and Partnership Management, UN Experience, Technical Guidance, Team Coordination, Emergency Response.
Background/familiarity with emergency response will be an asset.
Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.
Country programme planning and results-based management: Experience supporting or coordinating country programme planning and review processes, including the development of results frameworks, annual work plans and other strategic programme documents.
Programme performance monitoring and reporting: Demonstrated experience in monitoring programme performance, analysing progress against indicators, baselines and targets, and preparing high-quality corporate, management or programme reports.
Donor reporting and grant management: Experience preparing high-quality funding proposals and donor reports and supporting grant management processes, including donor compliance, expenditure monitoring and the timely utilization of funds.
Data analysis and evidence use: Experience analysing programme information and translating findings into clear recommendations, reports, briefs or other products to support programme planning and management decision-making.
Programme planning and reporting systems: Familiarity with UNICEF corporate programme planning, monitoring and reporting systems, such as RAM, VISION and UN INFO, or comparable organizational systems, would be an asset.
Coordination and partnership management: Demonstrated experience coordinating across programme and operations teams and working effectively with government counterparts, UN agencies, donors, civil society organizations and other development partners.
Relevant organizational experience: Previous experience with UNICEF, another UN agency or a comparable international development organization, particularly in country programme planning, monitoring, reporting or grant management, would be an asset.
Experience providing technical guidance and coordinating the work of a small team, including coaching staff and overseeing the deliverables of consultants or temporary personnel, would be an asset.

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

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
(8) Nurtures, leads and manages people

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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments are conditional on the selected candidates willingness to comply with current or future vaccination requirements, should UNICEF mandate it for personnel. Failure to comply with such requirements, where applicable and without a duly approved medical exemption from the relevant UN authority, will result in the cancellation of the selection or may lead to other administrative measures, including separation from service.

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. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates are encouraged to apply.

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.

Visa residence requirements: i.e. UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.

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.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

Planning and Monitoring Specialist (Reporting) NO-3, Fixed Term Position, post #137973 Colombo, Sri Lanka, Asia Pacific Region (APR)- Sri Lankan nationals only