Under the supervision of the Chief Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation, the Programme & Planning Specialist (HACT)  provides supports in the oversight, quality assurance and technical support to the management of implementing partners with focus on the full compliance with the Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfer (HACT) and other respective operational policies and procedures such as UNICEF’s guideline on working with civil society organizations, for risk-based implementing partnership management. The post will supervise two programme assistants (HACT) and work in a close coordination with the Operations section.

Support to HACT planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting:

•  Provide technical support to the country office in the formalization of implementing partnerships with government, civil society organization and other implementing partners in line with the Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfer (HACT) and other relevant policies, procedures and guidelines, including the CSO Procedure and guidance on work plans.
• Provide technical and administrative support in all aspects of the implementation of HACT in line with the HACT policy and procedure and other relevant organizational policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Coordinate with other (HACT adopting) UN agencies to facilitate joint planning and execution of HACT assurance activities, and information sharing.

Quality assurance of HACT and other policies/procedures on the management of the implementing partners:

• Contribute to development and monitoring of implementation of CO HACT related SOPs and internal procedures, including for escalation of issues identified through assurance activities.
• Design and implement quality assurance strategies/processes for the implementation of the CSO procedure and HACT implementation.

Analysis, planning, monitoring and reporting for HACT:

• Using appropriate corporate tools and systems including InSight and e-Tools, report on status of implementation of HACT and identify high risk areas requiring special attention and/or support from the regional office.
• Ensure the systematic use of recommendations from the HACT assurance activities to strengthen the risk-informed partnership management.
• Monitor internal country office processes for formalizing implementing partnerships with CSOs to ensure that corporate timelines are adhered to, especially in humanitarian responses

Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building of partner:

• Support the roll-out of HACT E-tools in the office.
• Serve as the custodian of all implementing partnership documentation ensuring that they are adequately circulated in the office and properly archived.
• Design and implement capacity building strategy/initiatives for CO staff to ensure that they are knowledgeable and comply with the HACT and CSO procedures among others.
• Design and implement/facilitate capacity building strategy/initiatives for staff and partners on the HACT and CSO procedures.

Networking and inter-agency partnership:

• Provide technical information and operational support to implementing partners, UN system partners and other stakeholders in the CO on the implementation of HACT to reinforce UN/CO harmonization and coordination.
• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of HACT information and knowledge to facilitate/build their capacity for implementing HACT.
• Participate in appropriate inter-agency meetings/events to facilitate and promote sharing of information, knowledge, experiences and best practices.
• Interact regularly with other country offices and the regional office on HACT.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in in Development studies, International Development, Programme/Project Management, Business Administration, Financial Management, Economics, Accounting, Auditing or other relevant field is required.
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in programme/project development and management, monitoring or finance at the national and international level some of which with the UN and/or in a developing country is required. Experience in or knowledge on the execution of HACT at country level is an asset. Good knowledge of Burkina Faso
• A Bachelor degree combined with an additional 2 years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree
• Fluency in French and good working knowledge of English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset.