Programme Officer (Public Finance and Local Governance), (NO-1), Yerevan, Armenia, Temporary appointment Post #00131443 - Open to the nationals of Armenia only

UNICEF is looking for a motivated professional with experience of work in social policy to provide professional technical assistance and support for programme design, planning and implementation, management and evaluation of programme/project activities, data analysis and progress reporting, in support of programme goals and objectives, particularly in public finance for children and local governance.

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, a champion

UNICEF’s social policy agenda in Armenia focuses on strengthening national and local capacities for planning and implementing social protection policies and programmes; fostering public and private investments and partnerships for children; enhancing data systems and relevant capacities to inform equity-focused policies; and promoting gender equality in policies and practices. Social policy work also cuts across other sectors, such as education, child protection, health, climate change and disaster risk reduction. As such, UNICEF implements the EU4Education Reforms programme, which contributes to the implementation of the State Programme for Development of Education in the Republic of Armenia 2030, aiming to influence learning outcomes for students, institute a strengthened institutional framework with quality and financial management, transparency, and monitoring of performance. A number of social policy reforms are also advanced at the local level in the context of community consolidation and decentralization processes and are linked to the climate change and disaster risk reduction agenda.

How can you make a difference? 

UNICEF is looking for a motivated professional with experience of work in social policy to provide professional technical assistance and support for programme design, planning and implementation, management and evaluation of programme/project activities, data analysis and progress reporting, in support of programme goals and objectives, particularly in public finance for children and local governance.

1. Knowledge Management for Programmes

• Collect, analyze, and report data on public finance and local governance.
• Apply Public Financial Management (PFM) tools (e.g., costing, budget briefs, cost-benefit analyses) to inform programme planning.
• Develop training materials and share best practices with partners and stakeholders.

2. Programme Development and Management

• Assist in preparing Situation Analyses, focusing on financial data, community consolidation and decentralization processes.
• Monitor programme progress, draft work plans, and propose adjustments to enhance impact.
• Conduct budget analyses to guide UNICEF advocacy efforts for improved child-focused resource allocations.

3. Optimum Use of Program Funds

• Monitor fund allocation and compliance with donor requirements.
• Recommend measures to optimize the use of programme resources.

4. Programme Monitoring and Evaluations

• Conduct field visits to monitor and assess implementation and suggest corrective actions.
• Collaborate with partners on evaluations and contribute to annual reviews and reports.

5.  Rights-Based and Results-Based Programme Management Approach

• Advocate for rights-based and results-driven approaches in programme planning and development of strategies and implementation frameworks with focus on financing for children and local governance aspects.
• Provide technical assistance to enhance the quality and efficiency of interventions.

6.  National and Local Capacity Building/Sustainability

• Support government and local authorities in building capacities for effective public expenditure tracking and service delivery, including through support to local level planning, budgeting and public financial management as well as facilitating community participation.
• Facilitate community participation in local planning and budgeting.

7.  Rights Perspective and Advocacy at the National, Community and Family Levels

• Analyze public finance policies from a child-rights perspective.
• Advocate for UNICEF’s priorities in national and local policy discussions.

8.  Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration.

• Foster partnerships with ministries, local governments, international financial institutions, and other stakeholders.
• Ensure alignment with regional priorities and access to technical expertise.
• Collaborate with the Operations Section to implement and maintain effective internal controls that support programme objectives, ensuring compliance with financial and supply management requirements.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  Programme Officer (PFM, Local Governance) NOA JD.docx

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

Minimum requirements:

Education:

• A university degree in one of the following fields is required: Social Sciences, Economics, International Relations, Government, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or another relevant technical field.    

Work Experience:

• A minimum of one year of relevant professional work experience in public finance for children and local governance related programmes is required.
• Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset.
• Background/familiarity with emergency is considered as an asset.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.

Languages:

• Fluency in Armenian and English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language, such as Russian, 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…

(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 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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 candidates with disability 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.