Batch Recruitment of Monitoring Specialist, NOC, (4 positions: Niamey/Diffa/Maradi/Tahoua), Niger (Temporary Appointment: 364 days)

The assignment's mission is to support delegated project management in the field, in collaboration with the regional teams of ANFICT and FAFPA and regional technical assistance units, with quarterly reports on activity implementation, delivery of expected outputs, and overall progress toward approved annual programs. This role (4 positions available) will be regionally based and jointly managed by the Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Specialist of the Management Unit and the Head of the Area Office. The role aligns with the geographic coverage of regional technical assistants and ANFICT regional offices, with close collaboration required with the regional Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist.

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. 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 personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

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

For every child, Results.

UNICEF's mission is to uphold the rights of every child, everywhere, across its programs, advocacy, and operations. The equity strategy, which prioritizes the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment into action. For UNICEF, equity ensures that all children can thrive, free from discrimination or bias. When a child lacks equal opportunities in social, political, economic, civic, or cultural aspects, their rights are violated. Investing in health, education, and protection for disadvantaged groups not only enables all children to reach their potential but also fosters sustainable growth and stability. This emphasis on equity supports UNICEF's universal mandate to advance human rights for all children, as set out in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and promotes equitable national development.

UNICEF, as the GPE (Global Partnership for Education) grant agent and coordinator for Niger's education sector pool, has established a management unit. This unit's main role is to coordinate pooled fund implementation, reduce fiduciary risks, and report fund performance to all partners in line with the Procedures Manual, partnership priorities, and program objectives.

The education sector common fund is a collaborative, multi-partner initiative governed by national systems, implemented by the Government of Niger, and backed by the country’s Finance Laws.

UNICEF’s role includes coordinating partner support, facilitating procedural adherence, ensuring efficient resource use, and reporting on results achieved to benefit Nigerien learners.

How can you make a difference?

The assignment's mission is to support delegated project management in the field, in collaboration with the regional teams of ANFICT and FAFPA and regional technical assistance units, with quarterly reports on activity implementation, delivery of expected outputs, and overall progress toward approved annual programs.

This role (4 positions available) will be regionally based and jointly managed by the Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Specialist of the Management Unit and the Head of the Area Office. The role aligns with the geographic coverage of regional technical assistants and ANFICT regional offices, with close collaboration required with the regional Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist.

Locations:   

1. Diffa – Zinder, based in Diffa
2. Maradi – Dosso, based in Maradi
3. Tillabery – Niamey, based in Niamey
4. Tahoua – Agadez, based in Tahoua

Main Responsibilities:

Establish Standards for Planning and Monitoring Program Performance

• Provide technical support for reviewing and approving Annual Budgeted Action Plans (ABAPs) with contributions from all FCSE stakeholders, ensuring reporting on equity and gender markers as per the Partnership Pact and Program Document.
• Offer technical assistance for organizing and managing program reviews (annual, mid-year, mid-term, end-term) to ensure consistency with program objectives, partnership framework goals, and FCSE Procedures.
• Monitor underperforming initiatives and assist in developing solutions to enhance performance.
• Collaborate with sectoral ministries, the Technical Assistance Mechanism Program, and CAMOS to effectively monitor and report on sector program results and Delegated Project Management (MOD) outcomes, promoting program coherence and convergence.

Establish Standards for Planning and Monitoring Program Performance at Local Government Level

• Support the ABAP review and approval process for FCSE contributors, with equity and gender progress tracking as outlined in the Partnership Pact and Program Document.
• Assist in managing program reviews, maintaining alignment with the FCSE Procedures Manual and partnership framework.
• Monitor underperforming initiatives and support remedial measures to enhance outcomes.
• Work closely with sectoral regional directorates, ANFICT, FAFPA, and CAMOS to monitor sector program results and outputs for effective program coherence and convergence.

Support the Implementation of Assessments

• Draft terms of reference for external consultants and initiate recruitment to ensure timely selection of assessors. Oversee evaluation and selection processes to facilitate consulting team recruitment.
• Organize briefing materials and administrative arrangements to provide consultants with complete, relevant information for effective evaluation.
• Monitor evaluation progress and respond proactively to evaluator needs, ensuring that results are achieved as planned.

Build Networks and Partnerships

• Provide technical and operational support to stakeholders and evaluators regarding national policies, practices, standards, and norms.
• Foster partnerships with government counterparts and stakeholders to support evaluation and strengthen capacities in evaluation planning and implementation.
• Participate in sectoral meetings and events to collaborate on FCSE operational planning and align strategies with annual program development.

Innovation, Knowledge Management, and Capacity Building

• Identify, capture, and share lessons learned from evaluations to inform broader knowledge development and management.
• Research and report on leading practices in planning and evaluation systems.
• Act as a resource in capacity-building initiatives to enhance skills among stakeholders.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• Advanced University Degree in Social Sciences, Statistics, Economics, Planning Development, International Development Studies, Law.
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in programme development preferably in the field of analysis of education systems.
• Experience in writing analyses on the quality of learning or training-employment issues for post-primary levels.
• Proven skills in terms of training in the analysis of educational policies, in the fields of learning assessment or education/training policies related to employment.
• Proven oral presentation skills on issues of educational policy analysis for a wide range of different audiences.
• Fluency in French is required with good knowledge of English.  Another UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is 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

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

• Builds and maintains partnerships (1)
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (1)
• Drive to achieve results for impact (1)
• Innovates and embraces change (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)
• Thinks and acts strategically (1)
• Works collaboratively with others (1)

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

Note: internal candidates who apply for this temporary appointment may keep the link with their positions for a maximum of 364 days, subject to approval by the representative following agreement with the Head of Section or Zonal Office.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

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 may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

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’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female 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.

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.