Partnership Management Specialist (UNICEF Accelerate), Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

General

Description of assignment title: Partnership Management Specialist (UNICEF Accelerate)

Assignment country: Papua New Guinea

Duty stations: Port Moresby

Work location: On UN premises

Expected start date: 08/01/2026

Duration: 12 months(with possibility of extension)Long-term benefits and allowances

Sustainable Development Goal: 17. Partnerships for the goals

Host entity: UNICEF Papua New Guinea

Modality: Onsite

Type: International

Volunteer category: Specialist UCoS from Apr2026

Work schedule: Full-time

Number of Assignments: 1

Details

Mission and objectives:

• UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, is dedicated to advocating for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. UNICEF's work is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child and aims to establish children's rights as enduring ethical principles and international standards of behavior towards children. The organization is committed to never giving up on defending children's rights and ensuring their well-being

Context:

• The Implementing Partnership Specialist will support the Risk Management, Implementing Partnership Management and Operations, in conducting monthly analysis on key performance indicators, providing professional technical, operational and administrative assistance throughout the programme cycle through the application of theoretical and technical skills in researching, collecting, analyzing and presenting technical information to facilitate the integration of Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT) plans in all programming activities and to ensure the application of HACT and related organizational rules, regulations and procedures in the Papua New Guinea.
• The Implementing Partnerships Management Specialist will report directly to the Deputy Representative Operations to support the HACT Framework implementation with focus on eTools, financial assurance and the overall partnership for implementation in the region.

Task description:

• Key tasks:
• Monthly analysis the KPIs on monitoring and financial assurance and ensure timely completion of all KPIs
• Track the status of execution of Financial Audits for Country office operations manager and service provider to ensure all audits are in progress
• Track the open action points in eTools and follow up on their timely closure
• Work with service providers for assurance activities to ensure all deliverables are timely completed, contracts are invoiced, paid and closed timely.
• Review the status of programme documents in eTools and work on closing ended partnerships
• Support the Operations team and Programme sections (Finance and HACT) on the preparation and delivery of Capacity Building Sessions
• Compile case studies, tools and materials
• Work Assignments Overview:
• Development of the annual assurance plan with strategies for the implementation.
• Monthly analysis the KPIs on monitoring and financial assurance
• Follow up with CO IPM Focal Point and Programme Managers to ensure timely completion of all KPIs
• Track the status of execution of Financial Audits for the region and follow up with Country office operations
• Work with service providers for assurance activities to ensure all deliverables are timely completed, contracts are invoiced, paid and closed timely.
• Coordination of financial assurance activities with service providers. Activities, drafting terms of reference, overseeing the procurement process, assisting in the selection and issuance of purchase order, collecting required documents and coordinating between service providers and programme and operation staff.
• Analysis of open action points from financial assurance activities and propose actions for their closure.
• Coordinate with implementing partner and follow up on the actions taken as per the Action Points guidance.
• eTools management and due diligence: Closure of all outstanding engagements from previous years and completion of the cleanup and closure of all ended partnerships.
• Support and organization of the annual risk management network meeting and monthly webinars with focus on assurance
• Support on analysis, reporting and general tasks for the risk management and operations team as required, based on regional and organizational priorities.
• Deliverables/Outputs:
• Detailed HACT assurance plan with annual strategy and timing of implementation. 8 days
• 2026 contract and purchase order for 2026 financial assurance is issued.
• All required documents are gathered from programme staff and submitted to service provider.
• Etools engagements are created and scheduling of assurance activities is completed.
• All action points from 2025 are closed.
• Action items from partners are undertaken and closed.
• All open engagements in eTools are finalized with action points assigned.
• All ended programme documents in eTools are finalized and in status ended.
• Development of materials and knowledge management on HACT assurance and hold or support webinars/communication to HACT focal points. Preliminary topics include Anti-fraud framework, Safeguarding, Action Points Guidance, eTools system changes and Spot Check guidance.
• The work of the Risk and Operations team is dynamic and interlinked with all other teams. This requires ad hock analysis and reports. The consultant is anticipated to support the team with
• professional expertise on average 3 days a month

Eligibility criteria

Age: 18 - 80

Required experience: 3 years

Nationality: Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience:

• 3 years

Languages:

• English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level:

• Master's degree in or Advanced University Degree in Social or Management Sciences, Public Administration, Law, International Relations, Business Administration, and/or any other relevant technical field is required.
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor's or equivalent) in a relevant field combined with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

Competencies and values:

• Accountability
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Creativity
• Judgement and decision-making
• Planning and organising
• Professionalism
• Self-management

Skills and experience:

• At least 3 years of relevant professional experience in implementing partnership management, risk management, financial assurance, or programme operations.
• Strong analytical and presentation skills.
• Experience working with the UN and/or NGO in emergency settings is considered an advantage.
• Excellent written and spoken skills in English. Knowledge of another UN language is considered an asset.
• Strong familiarity with UNICEF system, including inSight, PowerBi, SharePoint.
• Expert knowledge of eTools implementing partnership system
• Confidence working with basic statistical information.
• Strong analytical and presentation skills.
• Strong formatting and editing skills.
• Experience in HACT implementation, including financial assurance and risk management processes
• Experience in monitoring implementing partnerships, including follow-up on audits and action points
• Experience in KPI tracking, analysis, and reporting
• Experience in coordinating with programme, operations teams, and external service providers
• Good understanding of audit processes and internal control frameworks
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• ELIGIBLE UNICEF STAFF WHO CAN APPLY FOR THIS VACANCY:
• Are UNICEF national staff (GS/NO) on Fixed-term, continuing, and permanent appointments
• Have at least 1 year of service with UNICEF
• Meet minimum education/experience requirements mentioned in the Description of Assignments
• Have strong performance and supervisor/HoO endorsement

Area(s) of expertise:

• Administration, Development programmes, Procurement and contracting

Driving license:

• -

Other information