Programme Officer (Field Services)

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.

UNICEF India works across the country through its field presence and the Office of the Chief of Field Services in New Delhi provides oversight and support to its 13 state/field offices. The National UN Volunteer Programme Officer will support the Chief of Field Services in strengthening knowledge management, systems and information sharing with field offices and ICO sections; coordination between field teams and sections; preparation of updated situation analysis and programme documents; regular monitoring and follow-up of action trackers; budget and programme oversight; and planning, scheduling, review and strategic direction of ongoing partnerships and field-service priorities.

The assignment also builds on the existing Programme Officer role in the CFS’s Office, including coordination of CFO meetings and CFO–Section Chief engagements, preparation of briefing materials and position papers, support to monthly reporting mechanisms and state-office quality reporting, and support to review and oversight of key planning processes such as rolling management plans, mid-year and end-year reporting and emergency preparedness plans.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Field Services, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

1. Support the Chief of Field Services in coordination, system-setting and monitoring of actions and recommendations arising from key management bodies and forums, including CFO meetings and CFO–Section Chief meetings.

2. Strengthen knowledge management for field services by supporting data collection and analysis, information exchange, accurate reporting, documentation of lessons learned and preparation of management reports and briefing materials.

3. Liaise with Field Offices and ICO sections to support meeting planning, agenda preparation, circulation of records, follow-up of action points, and effective information/document exchange across teams.

4. Support programme development and management by contributing to situation analysis, programme workplans, recommendations, tracking critical intervention points and analysis of relevant socio-political and economic trends affecting programmes.

5. Maintain and update action trackers for state/field offices and support routine monitoring of progress, including follow-up on agreed actions, decisions and deadlines.

6. Support planning and oversight processes, including annual/monthly travel plans or proposals for the Representative and Chief of Field Services, mid-year and end-year reporting, and coherence across state presentations.

7. Support field offices in regular monitoring, annual sector reviews and reporting on results, including roll-out and quality assurance of monthly reporting mechanisms/tools.

8. Participate in official meetings, missions or events as directed, and provide support to the Front Office and Office of the Representative during staff absences, when required.