Planning & Monitoring Specialist Vacancy-Job Ref: JKBIUNICEF/2907/202631

Planning & Monitoring Specialist Vacancy-Job Ref: JKBIUNICEF/2907/202631

Bujumbura (Burundi)

Job Description

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 for as long as we are needed. 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 professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

For every child, the right to a future.

Burundi is a landlocked country in the Great Lakes region of East Africa, characterized by a high population density, widespread rural livelihoods, and significant development challenges. Despite progress in political stabilization and socio-economic recovery in recent years, the country continues to face constraints related to poverty, food insecurity, climate shocks, limited infrastructure and institutional capacity. These challenges are further compounded by rapid population growth, environmental degradation, and vulnerability to external economic shocks.

The Government of Burundi has prioritized sustainable development through its long-term national development framework, Vision Burundi 2040 and 2060, which aims to transform the country into an emerging economy by 2040 and a developed nation by 2060.
UNICEF Burundi, in collaboration with other development partners and United Nations agencies, play a critical role in supporting the achievement of national and sectoral development objectives.

Through its current 2024–2027 country programme, UNICEF Burundi has supported the implementation of national development priorities, with focus on improving child survival and development, strengthening education and adolescent empowerment, enhancing child protection systems, advancing social policy, expanding access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services, and reinforcing national systems that deliver essential services for children and families.

As the current programme cycle is approaching its completion, UNICEF has started the process of the development of the next 2028–2032 country programme. This process requires comprehensive situation analyses, evidence generation, programme evaluation, stakeholder consultations, lessons learned from the 2024–2027 programme cycle, and alignment with emerging national priorities under Vision Burundi 2040–2060. The preparation of the next Country Programme presents an important opportunity to strengthen strategic planning, enhance programme effectiveness, and ensure that interventions respond to evolving needs and challenges affecting children and communities across Burundi.

How can you make a difference?

The Planning and Monitoring Specialist (P3-TA) is based in the Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (PME) Section and reports to the Chief of Planning and Monitoring. The post focuses on programme planning, performance monitoring, results tracking, reporting and use of data for programme management. It includes contributions to evaluation and research activities, even if these activities are covered by a separate dedicated post within PME.

Under the supervision of the Chief of Planning and Monitoring, the incumbent provides technical and coordination support to strengthen the quality, coherence and effectiveness of planning and monitoring systems across the Country Office, enabling adaptive programme management and accountability for results.

Key expected results include:

Country Office Planning Processes
Integrated Monitoring, Evaluation & Research Plan (IMEP)
Situation Monitoring and Assessment
Programme Performance Monitoring
Monitoring Capacity Building
Coordination and Networking

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

Minimum requirements

Education: Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in social sciences, statistics, planning, or any other field related to international development is required.
Work Experience: At least 5 years of relevant work experience in programme planning, monitoring and evaluation, programme management, results-based management, performance monitoring, data analysis, knowledge management, capacity building, coordination, management reporting, or related fields is required.
Skills: Strategic planning, Situation analysis, Partnership management, Research management, Stakeholder coordination.

Language Requirements: Fluency in French, and intermediate level of English is required.
Desirables

Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is considered an asset.
At least one instance of exposure to emergency programming, including preparedness planning and active involvement in a humanitarian crisis response programme, as well as experience working with government counterparts, development partners, and UN agencies, is considered a strong asset.

Experience in the process of country programme development is considered a strong asset.
Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts is desirable.
Demonstrated leadership skills are desirable.

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

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.

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