Chief Planning & Monitoring, P-4, FT, #112427, Freetown - Sierra Leone, WCAR

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.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to Deliver

How can you make a difference?

You, as the Chief Planning and Monitoring is accountable for providing coordination and guidance to the UNICEF Sierra Leone programme sections and field office on programme planning, implementation monitoring and reporting, including oversight for the Knowledge Management (KM) and HACT adherence.
UNICEF has a strong role as a knowledge leader, convener, and advocate for children’s rights through sound data (household surveys, MICS, DHS and sector routine administrative data), evidence and knowledge management. Strengthening the link between data driven programming and real time monitoring enables continuous learning and better realignment of programme priorities during implementation; and timely, updated availability of accurate analytics (Situation Analysis, In-depth Secondary Data Analysis, Infographics) on the deprivations affecting children and enhance evidence-based policies, strategic programming, leveraging partnerships and adequate resource allocation for greater impact on children.

Summary of Key Results-based Functions/Accountabilities: 

1. Programme Planning and Reporting
2. Programme Monitoring
3. Programme Assurance
4. Budget and Contribution Monitoring
5. Results-Based Management (RBM) Capacity Development and Quality Assurance
6. Coordination and Networking

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  JD - Chief of Planning and Monitoring P4 FT Post# 112427 .pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in in Social Sciences, Development, Programme Planning, Public Administration, Statistics, Demography or other related area. 
• Work Experience: At least eight years of relevant professional experience at national and international levels in programme planning, budget oversight, monitoring and evaluation. Practical experience in monitoring large programmes. Previous experience as Chief P&M or PME is a requirement. 
• Skills: - Strong programme planning skills and experience in monitoring of programmes.
  - Experience in managing a team and coordinating across sectors.
  - Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis tools, approaches, and methods to formulate monitoring strategies.
  - Knowledge of household survey methodologies to design household surveys and provide technical support to Statistics Sierra Leone, Line Ministries and District Information Management Unit which implement household surveys, and with focus on monitoring children's well-being.
  - Solid knowledge of applied theories of change, results frameworks and performance indicators to guide the planning of programmes that can be effectively monitored and evaluated.
  - Knowledge of existing statistical measurement frameworks, classifications, and standards in collecting and compiling sectoral, cross sectoral indicator data to assess the quality and suitability of data for different types of analysis.
  - Proven experience in planning, design, organization or coordination of nationwide household surveys (MICS, DHS, Nutrition Surveys, other national surveys).  
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.

Desirables:

• Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset. 
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and collegial approach to working with others, both with colleagues and external partners.
• At least one instance of exposure to emergency programming, including preparedness will be desirable. 
• Knowledge of AI techniques and platforms and use of these in programme planning and monitoring, as well as knowledge management (KM).
• Sector specific or cross-sector specific programme experience.
• Experience in managing evaluations. 
• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts. 

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
(8) Nurtures, leads and manages people

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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 are conditional on the selected candidates’ willingness to comply with current or future vaccination requirements, should UNICEF mandate it for personnel. Failure to comply with such requirements, where applicable and without a duly approved medical exemption from the relevant UN authority, will result in the cancellation of the selection or may lead to other administrative measures, including separation from service.

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 is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidate 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.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF's Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

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.

Advertised: 22 Jul 2026 Greenwich Standard Time
Applications close: 02 Aug 2026 Greenwich Standard Time

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