UNICEF Canada - Chief Program Officer

About UNICEF Canada

UNICEF is a global agency that works tirelessly to ensure children survive, wherever children’s lives are at risk. As part of the UN, we are active in190 countries and territories, and are the world’s farthestreaching humanitarian organization for children. We are passionate about the well-being of children around the world. Our goal is to defend every child’s right to a childhood, to keep them protected, healthy and educated.

UNICEF stands for every child, everywhere. We are guided by the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child, advocating for the protection of children’s rights, helping to meet their basic needs, and giving them a fair chance to reach their full potential.

UNICEF’S CANADA’S MISSION: to mobilize and empower Canadians to invest in the positive transformation of every child’s future.

UNICEF Canada is the official partner in Canada for UNICEF, and is one of 33 UNICEF National Committees around the world. UNICEF Canada’s 2022-25 Strategic Plan calls on the organization to reach a sustainable annual revenue of $70 million and become the leading advocate for child rights with governments at all levels while increasing engagement and a sense of belonging for all people in Canada, to improve more children’s lives globally.

For further background on UNICEF Canada and its strategic plan for 2022-2025, please see here.

The Role

Position: Chief Program Officer, UNICEF Canada

Status: Permanent, Full Time

Location: Hybrid/remote

Salary: $160,000-180,000 plus benefits

UNICEF Canada is seeking a passionate and collaborative Chief Program Officer (CPO) to join the executive team and provide leadership to the important role UNICEF plays as an advocate influencing policies to protect and promote the rights of children in Canada and around the world. The CPO will lead and oversee the strategic positioning of UNICEF programs within Canada. Based on global priorities set by UNICEF, the CPO is also responsible for setting the programs funding priorities of UNICEF Canada, in alignment with UNICEF and with strategic plans.

The CPO guides the programs team and provides strategic leadership and support to key areas of the strategic plan. Specifically, the CPO leads UNICEF Canada’s international and domestic programs and policy advocacy teams towards the goals of being a leading advocate for the rights of children and supporting the organization to achieve growing and sustainable revenue. Teams include stakeholder and government relations and youth participation. The CPO is part of the organization’s Executive Team and works across the organization to support business objectives and advance anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion.

The CPO represents the UNICEF Canadian National Committee within UNICEF globally on key initiatives and teams related

to advocacy and international programs. The CPO works closely with the Strategic Engagement team to ensure that UNICEF’s brand, leadership, influence and impact for children is wellpositioned to attract and retain a diverse group of Canadian donors, supporters, advocates, youth and funders, including as a media spokesperson on international and domestic children’s issues. Working closely with the President and CEO, the Director of International Programs and Director of Policy and Research (domestic), the CPO leads the government relations strategy and engages at high levels to leverage and build key relationships across all levels of government. The CPO develops and maintains strategic partnerships with other key agencies and partners in the international sector and domestic child and youth sector to build opportunities and influence to further the rights of children in Canada and around the world.

The CPO is a key champion in supporting their teams and the successful achievement of the organization’s 2022-25 Strategic Plan and its key strategies of digital transformation, diversity, equity and inclusion and supporter engagement.

The preferred candidate will have experience in government and media relations, advocacy, children’s rights and international programs.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Operational Planning (20%)

• Oversee the development, leadership and, through the team, the execution of the multi-year joint strategic plan (JSP) and manage the annual planning process (AOP) for the team, ensure integration across the organization and work with global UNICEF leaders (PPD) to align UNICEF Canada’s role within the global organization.

• Work on the senior executive team to provide organizational leadership and decision making, provide advice to the CEO and board members on international and domestic programs and public affairs.

• Build and maintain the reputation of the organization through media, key partners and the Government of Canada.

• Provide strategic advice to the Board of Directors on issues related to children’s rights, international programs, youth participation and reputational issues.

• Help build UNICEF Canada’s profile and reputation within the UNICEF family by playing an active role in key initiatives, with UNICEF global colleagues and working groups as required.

Revenue Development (10%)

• Support government revenue development for UNICEF in collaboration with the Director of International Programs (IP).

• Build relationships and opportunities with foundations and funders in support of the organization’s initiatives in collaboration with the Chief Strategic Engagement Officer.

International Programs, Policy and Research, and Advocacy (30%)

• Create and oversee opportunities to build influence and understanding of children’s rights policy and programming in order to deepen engagement with Canadians, including youth and UNICEF supporters.

• In collaboration with the Director, International Programs and the Director, Policy and Research, build an anti-colonial approach to UNICEF programming and policy.

• Build a comprehensive government relations approach that supports the organization’s business and policy objectives.

• Collaborate with development staff to develop proposal concepts and cultivate, solicit and steward donor relationships in the $1 million+ range.

Government Relations and Public Affairs (15%)

• Develop strategy and work in partnership with UNICEF HQ to advance UNICEF’s mandate and partnership with the Government of Canada to further position the organization as the global leader in child rights work.

• Represent UNICEF’s work to Canadians, to the NGO and GO communities through various mechanisms, including as a media spokesperson and through government engagement, in Canada and abroad, with the intent to influence policy and program direction and increase support for UNICEF.

• Lead education of the board on UNICEF programming activities and impacts.

• Develop, lead and participate in partnerships with like-minded/ strategically placed organizations and individuals to advance the

domestic and international policy agenda, in support of children’s rights.

• Monitor the policy directions of the Government of Canada on international development and domestic issues related to children.

• Develop strategic relationships with senior government staff and politicians to advance UNICEF’s mandate.

• Develop strategic relationships with UNICEF National Committees, Country Offices and HQ to support fundraising and policy objectives and maintain regular communications.

Team Coaching and Operational Management (15%)

• Lead motivated individuals to achieve common team goals.

• Ensure integrity with the mission and values in all activities.

• Lead talent management initiatives within the team.

• Make strategic decisions pertaining to staffing, succession planning and organizational development.

Executive Leadership (10%)

• Participate and contribute as a key member of the Executive Leadership team (“first team”) with a shared accountability for forming organizational strategy, decision making and performance of UNICEF Canada.

• Participate in and contribute to key policy discussions, budget management and strategic initiatives to further the organization’s ability to be a leader in children’s rights.

• Oversee Child Safeguarding across UNICEF Canada, supporting the Child Safeguarding Focal Point and other staff

• Create and maintain a culture of inclusion at all levels of the organization.

Qualifications, Competencies & Skills

• 12+ years of domestic child rights/child well-being, international development and/or media and government relations experience

• At least 5 years of experience in a senior team management/executive leadership capacity

• University degree in a related field

• Excellent communications skills (written & oral) for a variety of audiences

• Excellent relationship management skills

• Commitment to inclusive leadership, experience leading diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and diverse teams

• Excellent time management and organizational skills

• Ability to navigate through contentious issues and adept at identifying and implementing risk management and crisis communications strategies

• Strong knowledge of Canadian political system

• Strong knowledge of children’s rights

• Committed to professional and personal growth for self and team members

• Strategic thinker who demonstrates critical thinking and creative problem solving

• Demonstrates sound judgement and/or political acuity

• Compassionate about the UNICEF mandate/enthusiastic UNICEF advocate

• PC proficiency (MS Office)

• Fluency in French (highly desirable)

• Available for national and international travel

Working at UNICEF Canada

Our charity is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization and pursue successful careers.

UNICEF’s workforce is made up of different categories of staff reflecting various levels of responsibilities and duties. Each category of staff has its own requirements. All staff must share our organization’s values of diversity and inclusion, integrity and commitment and meet our core employment competencies of communication, working with people and drive for results. These competencies are behaviours that are used to achieve desired results for UNICEF.

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. 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.

How to Apply

All correspondence, at this stage, should be via Oxford HR. To apply for this post, click on the “Apply” button on the job advert page, complete our online application form, and submit your CV and cover letter as two different documents, which should be prepared before applying as they will be considered in the application process. The cover letter should be no more than two pages long and explain why you are interested in this post and how your skills and experience make you a good fit.

The document should be saved in PDF in the following format: Your First Name-Your Last Name-Document Name-Date (mmyy) e.g., Pat-Jones-CV-032023-UNICEF or Pat-JonesCoverLetter-032023-UNICEF.

Timeline

Closing Date: May 1st

Selection Process

All candidates will receive an update regarding their application after the closing

date. We advise candidates to add the role email to their safe senders list and regularly check their spam folder.

Equality Statement

Equality and diversity are at the core of UNICEF Canada’s values. Staff are expected to work collectively and individually to promote a constructive and sensitive approach to others from a variety of backgrounds, where the work of others is valued and respected.

Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process providing the applicant has met the requirements for the position

Queries

If you have any queries on any aspect of the appointment process, need additional information, or would like to have an informal discussion, please email at unicef-cpo@ oxfordhr.com in the first instance.

About Oxford HR

Oxford HR operates globally - mainly within the international development and charity sectors. We carry out retained executive search mandates at board and senior management levels. We also offer human resource and organisational development consultancy.

Oxford HR has many years of experience in search as well as an extensive network of international development, social sector, corporate, public sector, and academic contacts from across the world. We carry out comprehensive international searches designed to meet the specific needs of our client.