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UNICEF Nicaragua
Vacancy Notice No. 07/15
Title:
Level:
Duty
station/Section:
Type of Contract:
Date of Entry
Purpo
se:

Early Childhood Development Specialist

NO-3 (Specialist)
Managua, Nicaragua / Programme
Fixed-Term of one year initially
June 2015

Under the supervision of the Deputy Representative, the incumbent will be accountable for
the development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and coordination of
the Early Childhood Development programme component within the country programme.
Accountable for effective technical and programme support to facilitate the application and
adaptation of UNICEF policies and strategies to achieve strategic priorities and objectives of
the UNICEF assisted ECD interventions (in health, nutrition, HIV, pre-school and birth
registration), including support to the government in the attainment of the Millennium
Development Goals and the post 2015 agenda.

The key responsibilities of the Early Childhood Development (ECD) Specialist will be:
1. Contribute to the Situation Analysis in ECD and its periodic update for effective project
planning, development and management by providing timely sectoral analysis, input and
technical support.

Enhances effective sectoral or inter-sectoral collaborative partnerships in planning, development and

management by leading, coordinating and supporting the timely completion of the rights-based,
equity focused Situational Analysis and its periodic update through accurate monitoring and analysis.
Initiates and supervises a series of researches and analytical products to strengthen the knowledge
base on the situation of children with focus on ECD which will be the basis to regularly update the
Situation Analysis.
Undertakes a disaggregated and equity assessment of the status of childrens rights and pattern of
inequities. Analyzes the immediate, underlying and structural causes and draw up programmatic
recommendations. Uses the ten determinants of the level 3 monitoring (MoRES) and strategic results
areas to identify bottlenecks and barriers.
Uses evidence generated to promote responsive systems which address specific forms of vulnerability,
including those related to gender, disability, HIV, and indigenous origins. Facilitates measure of
outcomes for different groups of vulnerable children and adolescent (adolescent pregnacy).
Provides substantive advice, recommendations and input in the formulation of country programme
documents and plans of actions relating to ECD. (e.g., Country Programme Recommendation, Plans of
Action, Country Programme Summary Sheet).
Retrieves information and data for the periodic update of CRING and Promise Renewed indicators,
fact sheets, report cards and other local and global indicators related to international commitments.
Provides follow-up applications of the CRC and CEDAW and UNGASS Declaration with emphasis on
health, nutrition and HIV-AIDS.
Takes primary responsibility for the development of the sectoral work plan and technical decisions as
well as for programme management, implementation and monitoring of assigned sectoral activity, in
compliance with the defined programme strategies and theories of change.

2. Quality technical contributions are made to the development and implementation of new
integrated ECD strategies through knowledge sharing, innovation and collaboration.
Works closely with the other country programme components (Quality and Inclusive Education, and
Participation and Protection of Adolescents) to build on intersectoral experience and address
immediate and underlying determinants of maternal, newborn and child health and nutrition,
recognizing that health and nutrition outcomes are not the results of action in the health and nutrition
sectors alone.

Promotes knowledge sharing by exchange of knowledge, information, situation analysis, experience or

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lessons learned through online conferences, digital media, social networking platforms and blogs for
improving programme delivery with emphasis on sustainability of intervention and community
participation.
Promotes introduction of new initiatives in the country, making full use of digital opportunities to
generate knowledge and compile ideas with others. Catalyzes innovations or identifies and promote
innovative practices and brings them to the attention of others to promote the adoption and scaling up
of successful solutions.
Uses the know-how of national and international academic and knowledge institutions to collect,
analyze and use relevant data to further understanding of social norms (such as masculinity), gender
stereotype and harmful practices to children, particularly girls in indigenous and afro-descendent
communities and translating the analysis into actions to tackle them in promoting ECD.
Promote knowledge exchange and synergy within the donors and cooperation agencies/organizations
working in the ECD sector. Participate in the meetings of the sub-group of ECD (under the Education
sectoral roundtable). Identify opportunities for advocacy and upstream policy work (e.g. interventions
to support the government in increased investment in the ECD sector), assess the feasibility and
create allies with the government and other partners to attain key advocacy results. Tap into the
knowledge and tools of centre for Excellency, academics and regional office.

3. Work plan and objectives are strategically established, implementation support is

effectively provided, and planned results are timely delivered through application of
technical expertise.

As functional leader of the Early Childhood Development programme component, exercises technical
and programme management leadership for the development and implementation of the resultsbased work plan as well as for administration and monitoring of activities, consistent with the defined
theory of change.

Ensures work plans are developed through joint planning with partners, and results are timely
achieved, through full coordination between activities and collaboration with implementing
partners, by providing guidance and support to staff working in ECD sector.
4. Project implementation progress is monitored and evaluated for adjustment, acceleration
and improvement of program delivery and sustainability.

Undertakes field visits to monitor programmes, as well as leads periodic programme review processes
with government counterparts and other partners. Identifies necessary action for programme
adjustments.
Provides technical advice and support to government officials and implementing partners in the
planning and management of the ECD interventions and ensures their sustainability. Support
maintenance of information system for monitoring gender sex disaggregated data.
Result based management to programme is mainstreamed and evidences of interventions in ECD up
to the Impact level are generated and documented rigorously.
Coordinate and ensure the financial management requirements according to the UNICEFs policy sand
regulations
Ensure the accountability of UNICEF and its implementing partners according to the HACT (UN
Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfer).
5. Technical support is provided to the government and other relevant partners at various
stages of the planning, programme implementation, monitoring and evaluation, including
capacity building of government personnel and right holders.

Provides technical support to government and other relevant partners in the planning, development,
implementation, and evaluation stages of the programme.

Identifies training needs; designs and conducts training and orientation activities for government
personnel and other relevant partners, for the purpose of capacity building, sustainability of
programme and expansion of coverage of services.

Proposes and/or undertake actions on operational procedure affecting programme implementation and
management.

Participates in the meetings of the sub-group of ECD (under the Education sectoral roundtable) and

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promoting knowledge exchange and synergy within the donors and cooperation
agencies/organizations working in this sector.
The post will be directly responsible for planning and management of work plans with Ministry of
Health, but ensure close coordination with Pre-school (interventions with Ministry of Education) and
Birth Registration (Central registry office) as well as with the national inter-institutional commission for
ECD.
Certifies disbursements of funds, ensuring those activities are within established plans of action and
programme budget allotments; and to orientate and train Government and UNICEF implementing
partners in UNICEF policies and procedures.
Monitors the overall allocation and disbursement of programme funds, making sure that funds are
properly coordinated, monitored and liquidated.
Ensures the accurate and timely input of project information in SAP/VISION/RAM

6. Effective working relationships and information sharing are maintained through

communication, collaboration and networking within the UNICEF office and with partners.

Facilitates partnership and collaboration with external counterparts, including those of the UN and
national partners, in order to improve the ability to collect and disseminate relevant data, and to
exchange information on programme development and implementation. Ensures exchange of
information, experience, identify new strategies and courses of action to accelerate delivery of
services and achieve programme objectives.

Uses evidence generated by established or new monitoring systems to document to promote actions
that increase the visibility of vulnerable groups of children less than 6 years and families and advocate
for adequate responses to their rights and priority needs.

In collaboration with the Communication Specialist and other programme officers, takes primary
responsibility for the development, management, coordination and monitoring of effective
advocacy and communication for behavioural change strategies related to the health and nutrition
issues of early childhood development.

Engages dialogue with private sector on good practices and corporate social responsibility, and
strengthen partnerships with bilateral and multilateral organizations for leveraging resources and
knowledge in advocacy, programming and practices for ECD.
8. Required programme reports are timely prepared in compliance with the established
guidelines and procedures.

Contributes to the timely preparation of annual sector status reports and shares information with
relevant partners as required in compliance with the established guidelines and procedures.

Participates in the preparation of all programme reports for management and annual reports.

Ensures the accurate and timely input of project information in SAP/VISION/RAM

Prepares timely donor reports, budget review and programme analysis

9. Emergency preparedness is maintained and emergency responses with effective
coordination are provided.
Supports emergency preparedness plan relating to Health & Nutrition. In case of emergency,
assists in monitoring and assessing the nature and extent of the emergency in the assigned area,
as required. Provides assistance to the Country Office in identifying where support is required.

In line with the Core Commitments for Children (CCCs) in Humanitarian Action, strengthen national
partnerships with health and nutrition actors of the Humanitarian Network (RedHum) and UNETE, for
preparedness, contingency planning and response.
10. Effective management of the team
Supervision and coaching of Health officer (NOA) and Programme Assistant (GS5) by providing timely
supports and coaching to attain results in their individual work plan, closely linked to the offices
programmatic results. Promote team work and collaboration to attain high performance team. Seek and
advice on the appropriate opportunities for professional development (on-the-job or training/courses/online
courses) to supervisees based on individual development goals.

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Minimum
Requireme
nts:

Competen
cies:

How to
apply:

Advanced university degree in Medicine, Public Health, nutrition, early childhood education,
child development, or other relevant areas in social science.
At least five years of professional work experience in a managerial position (planning,
programming, implementation monitoring and evaluation of technical cooperation
programmes related to ECD sector) or in a high level technical expert position in child
survival & development, health and nutrition care, early childhood development, or
community/local development.
Field work experience at the national and international levels. Experience working in
emergency is a strong asset.
Knowledge on gender mainstreaming in programming
Experience working in communication for behavioural change is an asset
Background/familiarity with Emergency
Fluency in English and Spanish. Good analytical writing skill in English and Spanish is a
strong asset.
Highly responsible individual with the following competencies:
Core Values: Commitment, Diversity and Inclusion, Integrity
Core Competencies: Communication, Working with People, Drive for Results
Functional Competencies: Leading and Supervising, Formulating Strategies and
Concepts, Analysing, Relating and Networking, Deciding and Initiating Action, Applying
Technical Expertise
Qualified candidates please submit your application letter, CV and P11 form (which can be
downloaded from http://goo.gl/z0NN2j), to email address: jai@unicef.org, under Ref:
Vacancy Notice #07/15, Early Childhood Development Specialist.
15 April 2015

Closing
Date:
Applications will be considered only if accompanied by an updated CV and a P11 form, as well
as the two most recent PER/Personnel Evaluations (mandatory for UNICEF & UN candidates)
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 and HIV, to apply to become a part of our organization.