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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. 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 personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

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

For every child, Hero!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmYM7i_4UlU

How can you make a difference? 

Under the direction and guidance of the Chief of Field Services, the emergency manager coordinates overall country office emergency preparedness and response. Working across the CO, the incumbent is responsible for the development, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of emergency interventions, including fund-raising for emergency activities.  Provides coordination and support for policy development, organizational positioning, worst-case scenario planning and capacity building.

KEY END-RESULTS

1. Emergency preparedness, including worst-case scenarios, is effectively arranged together with establishment of living country contingency plans and robust early warning mechanisms. 
2. Emergency preparedness and response plans addresses gender issues that may be expected to intensify during emergencies. 
3. Emergency plans of action are developed, and compliance and coordination of all sectors with the plans are implemented to improve preparedness.
4. Policy advice on emergencies and programme guidance related to implementation of emergency preparedness and response measures are effectively provided.
5. Coordination and management of emergency preparedness and response and a consistent flow of information of the humanitarian situation are effectively maintained within the office.
6. Significant improvements are made in the emergency preparedness and response capability of UNICEF staff and implementing partners through conduct of effective training activities, lessons learned and pilot response programmes.
7. In the event of an emergency, UNICEF's presence is promptly established, and the initial emergency operational tasks are effectively executed, including provision of support for information communication technology, telecommunications facility and all staff security related assistance in the country office.
8. Needs assessment is effectively conducted to determine priorities and an appropriate intervention by UNICEF based on the local emergency situation affecting children and their families and community.
9. Effective assistance is provided to Senior Management in emergency operations oversight and program management with clear accountabilities.
10. Emergency appeals and project proposals are prepared, and concerted efforts are put forward to mobilize donor response and recovery/rehabilitation-related funding.
11. Longer-term requirements of the emergency operation/interventions are determined to develop a regular operational and staffing structure.
12. Continuous, effective, and strategic coordination, communication, consultation, and liaison are maintained with the De-facto Authorities (DfA) UN agencies, NGOs, donors and allies in support of the special needs of children and women affected by emergency situations within the framework of the cluster approach and based on the Core Commitment for Children.
13. Management is kept informed through continuous horizon scans to monitor contextual shifts, emerging needs, and situation developments s in the country.
14. Emergency preparedness and response strategies are mainstreamed in the country office's 
15. workplans. Sectoral input is provided for all related documents for the office’s Emergency Preparedness and Response, as well as for the Situation Analysis, the Humanitarian Action for Children, and the Country Programme Document.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES and DUTIES & TASKS 

Within the delegated authority and under the given organizational set-up, the incumbent may be assigned the primary, shared, or contributory accountabilities for all or part of the following areas of major duties and key end-results.

Emergency Preparedness

1. Ensures that adequate emergency preparedness measures are taken through the development and updating of country contingency plans, worst-case scenario planning and establishment of early warning mechanisms, and the realization of emergency preparedness measures.
2. Provides policy and program advice related to emergencies, participates in the formulation and development of plans of action in preparation and response to emergencies, and monitors compliance of all sectors with emergency plans of action, including financial resources. Ensures coordination of the management of emergency preparedness and response.
3. Plans, organizes, and conducts training for UNICEF staff, extenders and implementing partners on emergencies preparedness and response based on contextual risks, lessons learned and critical gaps, in a decentralized manner.

Emergency Response

1. In the event of an emergency, assesses local conditions affecting children and their families in the country by leading and/or participating in needs assessment missions with field staff, to determine priorities and an appropriate intervention by UNICEF.
2. Takes prompt action in coordinating the response ensuring   UNICEF's presence and implementation the initial operational tasks relating to emergency assistance, internal and external communication, taking corrective action and deploying as necessary.
3. Participates in external coordination mechanisms as required and ensures UNICEF response is reflected in relevant inter-agency documents.  
4. Supports to ensure UNICEF-led clusters are well staffed, funded, and that there is robust coordination with UNICEF sections, and relevant inter-agency bodies, feeding into strategies, flash appeals, pooled fund mechanisms and throughout the Humanitarian Programme Cycle.
5. Assists Senior Management in emergency operations oversight and program management to ensure that the funding, budget, management, reporting, and field presence coordination are managed efficiently and effectively with clear accountabilities.

Emergency Project

1. Prepares inputs for appeals and updates related to emergencies as well as project proposals for emergency. Works with program sections and senior management to mobilize donor response and recovery/rehabilitation-related funding, including annual or multi-annual humanitarian appeals and documents.
2. Supports in the management of the Field Coordination and Emergency Team budget through recommendations on allocations based on context and needs and monitor utilization, visibility, and reporting.
   Maintains continuous, effective, and strategic coordination, communication, consultation, and liaison with relevant external stakeholders to appeal for aid for children and women and represents UNICEF in all humanitarian and recovery related forum at the strategic level.
3. Conducts regular horizon scans to keep management informed of all humanitarian developments in the country in terms of policies, strategy, situation developments, potential threats, and opportunities/issues.
4. Ensures compliance with the Emergency Preparedness Platform, the development of the Humanitarian Action for Children, SitReps and prepares DRR, preparedness and emergency response sectoral input for the country programme documents, plan of action, and annual workplans. Contributes towards the preparation of the Situation Analysis and the Country Programme Document. 

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

Minimum requirements:

1. Education

• Advanced University degree in one of the following fields: social sciences, public administration, law, public health, nutrition, international relations, business administration or other related disciplines. Preferably a combination of management, administration, and relevant technical fields.

2. Work Experience

• Eight years of progressively responsible professional work experience at the national and international levels in programme/project development, planning and implementation.
• Experience in a complex, high threat environment.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or non-government organization.
• Familiar and/or experience with the Cluster Coordination mechanism.
• Experience in leading emergency preparedness and response in a large office.
• Experience in contexts with non-state actors, highly desirable.

3. Language Proficiency 

•      Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

Desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.

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

The 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 is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will 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.

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 may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

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’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates 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.

Visa residence requirements: i.e.: UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.

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.

Eligible staff members on fixed-term, continuing or permanent contracts applying to IP TA positions in a duty station designated as L2/L3, may be able to retain a lien and their fixed-term entitlements, subject to approval by their Head of Office. The conditions of the temporary assignment will vary depending on the status of their post and relocation entitlements may be limited as per the relevant policies.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.