Stretch Assignment: Chief Field Office (CFO) - P3  

Title: Chief Field Office
Level: NOC/P3 – we encourage staff from all levels with the relevant experience to apply
Reports to: Representative, P5
Duration: 3 months
Section: Programme, Bassikounou
Location: Bassikounou, Mauritania
Dates/Duration: Stretch assignment from December 15, 2025 or January 1, 2026 until Marc 15 or 31, 2026.
Eligibility: All Fixed-Term, Permanent or continuing appointment UNICEF staff members currently working in UNICEF worldwide.

Background

The Bassiknou Field Office plays a central role in UNICEF Mauritania's operations in the Hodh Echargui region, particularly in the context of ongoing humanitarian challenges, refugee support, and community-based programming.
To ensure continuity of leadership, strengthen field-level coordination, and support programme delivery during a period of transition, UNICEF Mauritania seeks to an experienced and professional staff member on a 3-month stretch assignment to temporarily assume the responsibilities of Chief Field Office (CFO), Bassiknou.

Purpose of the Position

This stretch assignment aims to:
• Provide leadership continuity at field level;
• Strengthen coordination with partners, government, and UN agencies;
• Enhance staff supervision and oversight of programme implementation;
• Offer a developmental opportunity for the selected staff member.

2. Purpose of the Stretch Assignment
The purpose of this assignment is to ensure effective leadership, programme oversight, and operational coordination of the Bassiknou Field Office in alignment with UNICEF's mandate.
The staff member will support the implementation of both emergency and development programmes, ensure accountability mechanisms in the field, and maintain strong relations with government counterparts, communities, and partners.

3. Key Responsibilities
3.1 Leadership and Coordination
• Provide overall leadership and daily management of the Bassiknou Field Office.
• Represent UNICEF at field level with government counterparts, UN agencies (including UNHCR, WFP, WHO, .....), and NGO partners.
• Coordinate closely with the Inter-Agency structures (UNCT, OCHA, ....) and humanitarian coordination bodies.
• Support preparedness and response efforts for emergency situations (displacement, floods, epidemics, etc.).
3.2 Programme Oversight
• Oversee the implementation, monitoring, and reporting of UNICEF programmes in the region (Education, Child Protection, WASH, Health, Nutrition, SBC, Social Policy,...).
• Support programme sections in Nouakchott to ensure timely delivery and follow-up on activities.
• Ensure effective community engagement and feedback mechanisms.
• Monitor programme risks and ensure mitigation actions are documented and followed.
3.3 Operations and Compliance
• Ensure efficient and compliant field office operations, including logistics, supply distribution, administration, HR, and finance procedures.
• Review and validate FACE forms, micro-assessments, and HACT-related documentation.
• Ensure safe and secure management of staff and assets, including close coordination with UNDSS.
• Oversee proper use of office resources and support cost-effective operations.
• Oversight of UNICEF compound management and follow-up on the implementation of compound improvement measures.
3.4 Staff Management and Well-being
• Supervise field-based staff, providing coaching, guidance, and regular feedback.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and respectful working environment aligned with UNICEF values.
• Ensure staff adherence to PSEA, safeguarding policies, and duty of care principles.
3.5 Monitoring, Reporting and Communication
• Conduct regular field visits and monitoring missions to programme sites.
• Lead timely submission of field reports, SitRep inputs, donor updates, and human-interest stories.
• Support data generation, documentation of results, and programme visibility.

4. Expected Deliverables
At the end of the 3-month assignment, the staff member is expected to deliver:
1. Monthly progress reports on programme implementation and field office operations.
2. Updated field monitoring plan and mission reports (minimum two missions per month).
3. Strengthened partner oversight, including updated HACT monitoring documentation.
4. A short management note summarizing achievements, challenges, and recommendations for the incoming CFO.
5. Improved coordination mechanism with key partners at field level, documented through meeting minutes or action points.
6. Clear staff supervision plan, including documented discussions on roles, priorities, and well-being.

6. Learning and Development Opportunity
This assignment offers the staff member an opportunity to:
• Gain hands-on leadership experience in managing a field office;
• Strengthen inter-agency coordination and humanitarian leadership skills;
• Enhance programme oversight and operational management capacities;
• Build managerial and supervisory competencies in line with UNICEF's Leadership Competency Framework.
A development plan may be agreed with the supervisor to maximize learning.

7. Supervisory Arrangements
The staff member will report directly to the Representative
Regular check-ins (weekly) will be scheduled to ensure alignment on priorities and support.

Minimum Qualifications and Competencies
a. Education
An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: social sciences, international relations, public administration, government and public relations, public or social policy, sociology, social or community development, or another relevant technical field.
b. Experience
A minimum of five years of professional work experience in programme management, planning, monitoring and evaluation, project administration or another relevant area is required.
Experience in managing field offices or field operations section is highly desirable.
Experience working in emergency context/development is highly desirable.
c. Language Requirements
Fluency in French is required. Knowledge of English and Arabic is an asset.

UNICEF values and competency Required
• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability
• Sustainability
ii) Core Competencies (For Staff with Supervisory Responsibilities) *
• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (2)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (2)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

9. Funding Arrangement
This is a temporary development opportunity and there will be no changes to the staff member's status (position number, level, etc.).The Office will cover the ticket for economy class travel and 100% of the UN DSA rate during the first 30 days, and 50% DSA for the remaining time.

10. Duration of Assignment
3 months, 15.12.2025 to 15.02.2026

11. Application Process
Discuss this assignment with your supervisor and obtain supervisor and management's agreement before applying. The agreement of the supervisor is a prerequisite for this stretch assignment. Upon receipt of supervisor's agreement, please apply through TMS with the following documents:
a- Your up-to-date e-recruitment profile.
b- Your two latest PERs.
c- A cover letter.
d- A signed approval letter from your supervisor.

Candidates considered potentially well matched for the stretch assignment will be contacted for a short interview. Supervisors may also be contacted for references.
Please, also send the application to Mr. Abdoulaye Diallo (abdiallo@unicef.org) and copy to Fatoumata Boly Traore (fbtraore@unicef.org) indicating "Application: Stretch Assignment – Chief Field Office (CFO), NOC/P3, Bassikounou, Mauritanie" in the subject line.

Duration
This stretch assignment will be for a period of three (3) months.

Interested UNICEF staff should discuss this opportunity with their supervisor and seek the approval of their management before applying.

Candidates considered potentially well-matched for the stretch assignment will be contacted for an informal interview. Supervisors may also be contacted for references.

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