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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 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 hope. 

UNICEF Ukraine

How can you make a difference? 

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

To this end, tasks will include a mixture of the following or other similar processes:

• Strengthen and maintain a local coordination platform: to integrate local actors (local organizations and authorities, other key sectors, etc.) and ensure regular and predictable meetings and communication channels.

• Support operational coordination: to support the effectiveness of the response through the coordination of activities, intra- and inter-sectoral technical exchanges and identification of local best practices, and through the promotion of national level strategies related to WASH (e.g., at Humanitarian Operational Coordination Group [HOCG] level), intersectoral integration and/or the integration of cross-cutting themes.

• Situation monitoring: to establish mechanisms that allow regular and reliable monitoring of needs in the geographic area covered, and to highlight gaps and emerging issues to the national level.

• Monitoring the quality of interventions: to establish mechanisms to track whether the response is meeting established standards and technical guidelines, and to identify contextualized lessons and best practices (in a collaborative and collective manner) to address problematic areas/activities of intervention.

• Support the strengthening of technical response capacities at the local level: to identify technical weaknesses/strengths among subnational members, encourage mutual support between members, and propose (longer-term) solutions to key sectoral gaps in collaboration with local actors/authorities and the national level.

• Prepare contingency plans at the local level: to establish communication protocols (with authorities, other clusters, other) and technical guidance for the key risks identified in the geographical area covered, and support advocacy to increase existing capacities if necessary.

• Contribute to national processes: to facilitate local level inputs into national levels strategies, initiatives and processes to ensure that the contributions, priorities and perceptions of stakeholders in the geographical area covered are represented at the national level.

Key accountabilities / deliverables:

• Facilitate regular operational coordination meetings, ensure minutes of meetings, and follow up of action points.

• Establish contacts with relevant authorities, local civil society, and other relevant actors or structures at the regional/local level

• Ensure linkages with other sub-national cluster focal points (notably Health, CCCM/Shelter, Education) to support them in tracking and communicating WASH-related gaps in institutions, and establish ways of working to refer WASH-related gaps amongst WASH actors. 

• In collaboration with the national coordination team, ensure regular analysis of needs and response data, to identify geographic gaps, activity gaps, and/or emerging technical issues.

• Ensure that needs and response gaps are identified, and that cluster activities address them while preventing overlap and duplication.

• Coordinate with and secure commitments from humanitarian actors to respond to WASH emergencies.

• Ensure that information is shared amongst cluster members and between sectors/clusters in order to improve planning, cross-cluster integration and implementation.

• Provide regular regional information and status reports to the WASH Regional Coordinator (East/South) as needed, in order to facilitate appropriate advocacy and for support

• Contribute to strategic documents, work plans and UNICEF and OCHA reporting, taking into account any cross-cutting issues.

• As and when required, take an active part in OCHA/HOCG coordination meetings.

• Ensure regular, clear and effective communication occurs between sub-national and national cluster teams.

• Disseminate updates and information received from national level (WASH Cluster Coordinator or OCHA) to partners to ensure that members are aware of inter-cluster initiatives and funding opportunities.

• Support regional contingency planning and WASH sector emergency preparedness plans.

• Identify and support capacity building needs of WASH Cluster members.

 

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.

1. Knowledge Management for Programmes

Contribute to country programmes by supporting knowledge management through providing professional assistance in data collection and analysis, complete and accurate reporting as well as participation in the Programme Knowledge Network system of  "lessons learned" and other corporate-level databases.

Participate in information exchange with partners as well as in the development of training and orientation material by providing professional technical assistance. Participate in the preparation of, and making professional contribution to, the preparation of programme reports required for the management.

2. Programme Development and Management

Provide professional technical assistance in the preparation of the Situation Analysis for programme development and management by collecting and analyzing data and monitoring implementation progress. Contribute to the identification of critical intervention points and measures by administering a consistent and transparent monitoring system; analyse country level socio-political-economic trends and their implications for ongoing programmes and projects. Draft or prepare programme work plans as required. Propose adjustments/changes in work plans. Propose program recommendations for inclusion in formal programme documentation, and new approaches, methods and practices for supervisor.

3. Optimum Use Of Program Funds

Monitors programme implementation progress and compliance.  Monitors the allocation and disbursement of programme funds, making sure that funds are properly coordinated, monitored and liquidated. Takes appropriate recommendations or actions to optimize use of programme funds.

4. Programme Monitoring and Evaluations

Undertakes field visits to monitor and assess programme implementation and decides on required corrective action.

Collaborate with partners to carry out a rigorous and transparent approach to evaluation and participate in the major programme evaluation exercises in consultation with the Representative, the Operations Officer, the Evaluation Officer and others to improve efficiency and quality of programme delivery. Participate in annual sector review meetings with government counterparts.  Collaborate and prepare annual program status reports in a timely manner, as required.

5.  Rights-Based and Results-Based Programme Management Approach

Support a rights-based programmes approach in the formulation of programme goals and objectives and development of strategies and implementation frameworks. Collaborate with partners and assist in the strengthening of quality child rights-based programmes through consistent and effective planning, design, implementation, monitoring and/or evaluation of programmes and projects. Contribute to coherence, synergy and added value to the programming planning and design processes using a results-based management approach to programme planning and design.

Provide professional technical assistance in preparing viable recommendations on project implementation, alternative approaches, new initiatives and optimal utilization of resources that contribute effectively to the fulfilment of the rights of children and women.

6.  National and Local Capacity Building/Sustainability

Provide government authorities with technical assistance and support in planning and organizing training programmes for the purpose of capacity building and programme sustainability.

Promote and maintain the building and reinforcing of the commitment and institutional capacities of the national and local partners by identifying these partners and partnerships and providing continuous support, coordination and collaboration for sustainability.

7. Rights Perspective and Advocacy at the National, Community and Family Levels

Analyze programme related issues and policies from a children's and women's rights perspective and  advocacy at the community and family levels for elevating credibility in national policy debates. Promote the organization goals of UNICEF through active advocacy and communication.

8.  Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration.

Facilitate partnership and collaboration with internal and external counterparts, including those of the UN and national partners, in order to improve the ability to collect and disseminate development data and information, exchange information on programme/project status and implementation and movement/distribution of supplies. Establish and maintain linkage to the Regional Programme Knowledge Network to ensure the availability of current and accurate programme data.

Collaborate with the Operations Section to establish and maintain sound internal controls supportive of programming endeavours and to coordinate financial and supply management requirements and accountability.  Approve allocation and disbursement of funds ensuring they are properly coordinated, monitored and liquidated in accordance with the programme budget allotments (PBA).

Maintain close collaboration with Regional Advisers and HQ Officers for overall coordination.

Provide professional support in provision of technical advice, negotiation, advocacy and promotion of area/country level goals, leading to agreement on practicable and priority actions to be supported by the UNICEF programme.

Impact of Results

1. Effective knowledge management and systems, information exchange and the development of training and orientation materials developed and deployed for strengthening of country programme management and activities.

2. Situation Analysis prepared/updated, critical programme intervention point/measures identified, and programme work plans/recommendations prepared and incorporated. Programme reports prepared as required.

3. Programme funds optimally used.

4. Programme monitoring and evaluations effectively conducted to improve programme performance, and programme status reports timely prepared.

5. Rights-based and results-based programming approach fully incorporated into all phases of programme and projects processes.

6. Commitment and institutional capacities of the national and local partners gained and established.

7. Rights perspective and advocacy at the community and family levels incorporated in policy analysis for establishing and elevating UNICEF’s credibility in national and international policy debates.

8. Effective partnership and collaboration achieved and maintained for advocacy, technical cooperation, programme development/management/coordination, information sharing and networking.

 

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

Minimum requirements:

Education:

A university degree in one of the following fields is required: Technical/Applied Sciences, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, or medical field. International Relations, Government, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or another relevant technical field.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of two years of relevant professional work in humanitarian experience within the WASH sector is required. 
• At least two years of engagement in cluster coordination (as a partner/collaborator).
• Experience of coordination and chairing of meetings is necessary. 
• Background/familiarity with emergency is necessary.

Language Requirements: Fluency in English and Ukrainian is required. 

Desirables:

• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts. 
• Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset.
• Experience working with water utility/district heating/municipality structures is desirable. 
• Experience working in an NGO, international organisation or civil society organisation is desirable.
• Experience or training in Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) processes is an asset
• Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

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 

[add the 8^th competency (Nurtures, leads and manages people) for a supervisory role]. 

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 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 is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable people with disabilities 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.

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.

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.

This position is based in Dnipro and the incumbent will be expected be work on-site. However, depending on the security conditions and advisory, s/he will be required to relocate within Ukraine.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.