Current vacancies

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, Future 

PURPOSE OF THE JOB
Under the guidance of the Chief Field Operations, the Chief Field Office (CFO) is accountable for managing and leading the total programme commitment of a field office within a country programme. The CFO represents UNICEF in his/her Area of Responsibility (AoR), leads and oversees the various program sectors and operational service teams ensuring the delivery of quality results in accordance with UNICEF’s programme of cooperation, country programme management plan and overall vision set forward by the Representative.

KEY END-RESULTS EXPECTED

1. Effective management of UNICEF presence, staff and assets in the Area of Responsibility
2. Effective knowledge management systems adopted and utilized to strengthen area/country programme management.
3. Situation Analysis prepared and updated; critical programme intervention points and measures identified; and programme work plans, recommendations and reports prepared.
4. Programme funds optimally used.
5. Programme monitoring and evaluations effectively conducted to improve programme performance, and programme status reports timely prepared. Gender/sex disaggregated data and inputs relevant to the country programme are provided as an integral part of programming.
6. Rights-based and results-based programming approach fully incorporated into all phases of programme and project processes.
7. Commitment and institutional capacities of the national and local partners effectively gained and established.
8. Rights perspective and advocacy at the national, community and family levels incorporated in policy analysis for establishing and elevating UNICEF’s credibility in national and international policy debates.
9. Effective partnerships and collaboration achieved and maintained for advocacy, technical cooperation, programme development/management/coordination, information sharing and networking.

POSITION GRADE FACTORS

• The scope of the job is to provide leadership and overall coordination/supervision of the total programme commitment of a medium size Field Office with a broad range of projects. The job requires commitment and strong drive for results for the achievement of overall programme delivery and contribution to the established goals and objectives.
• As a manager, manage the programme function by leading a team of Programme Officers and/or the section consisting of a group of professionals and support staff.
• Work requires expertise as a technical specialist, or expert for technical project/programme management, requiring initiative, problem solving, creativity, and innovation.
• Technical leadership, sound judgement, planning, and resource management expertise and creative approaches are required for advising management and making recommendations on project implementation, alternative approaches, optimal utilization of resources, and recommendations on new programme initiatives and management issues to ensure achievement of stated objectives.
• Decision making includes timely and effective decisions on situation analysis, programme strategy, planning, implementation, evaluation and human resources, requiring conceptual/analytical thinking, judgement, planning skills, decisiveness, flexibility, resource management and communication.
• Formulate and/or represent UNICEF's position to external partners. Promote the organization goals of UNICEF through advocacy and policy dialogue by effective communication and influence. Make sound recommendations on policy based on situations in the locality.
• The work makes resource management and planning & monitoring expertise essential for managing the overall allocation and disbursement of funds to ensuring they are properly coordinated, monitored and liquidated in accordance with the programme budget allotments.

CHILD SAFEGUARDING
Child safeguarding involves proactive measures to limit direct and indirect collateral risks of harm to children, arising from UNICEF’s work, UNICEF personnel or UNICEF associates. The risks may include those associated with: physical violence (including corporal punishment); sexual violence, exploitation or abuse; emotional and verbal abuse; economic exploitation; failure to provide for physical or psychological safety; neglect of physical, emotional or psychological needs; harmful cultural practices; and privacy violations.

Certain UNICEF positions present elevated child safeguarding risks (“elevated risk roles”) and candidates and/or incumbents may be subject to more rigorous vetting and training. Roles may be elevated risk roles because of significant unsupervised direct contact with children, their data, having a role in responding to safeguarding incidents, or being otherwise assessed as presenting an elevated risk. This position has been identified as a safeguarding response role.

QUALIFICATION AND COMPETENCIES

1. 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.

2. Experience

A minimum of eight years of professional work experience in programme management, planning, monitoring and evaluation, project administration or another relevant area is required
Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset.
Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
Familiarity/ background with emergency is considered as an asset.

3. Language Requirements

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

4. UNICEF values and competency Required
i) Core Values

• Care • Respect • Integrity • Trust • Accountability • Sustainability

ii) Core Competencies

• 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)

5. Technical Knowledge

a) Specific Technical Knowledge Required
(Technical knowledge requirements specific to the job can be added here as required.)
• Rights-based and Results-based approach and programming in UNICEF.
• UNICEF programme policy, procedures and guidelines in the Manual.

b) Common Technical Knowledge Required (for the job group)
• Methodology of programme/project management
• UNICEF programmatic goals, visions, positions, policies and strategies.
• Knowledge of global human rights issues, specifically relating to children and women, and the current UNCEF position and approaches.
• UNICEF policies and strategy to address on national and international issues, particularly relating to conflicts, natural disasters, and recovery.
• UNICEF emergency programme policies, goals, strategies and approaches.
• Gender equality and diversity awareness.

c) Technical Knowledge to be Acquired/Enhanced (for the Job)
• UN policies and strategy to address international humanitarian issues and the responses.
• UN common approaches to programmatic issues and UNICEF positions
• UN security operations and guidelines.
• Security Management training for members of Security Management Team.
• UNICEF policies, strategies promoting and supporting gender equality and diversity.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.

 Remarks:

This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is either: a role with direct contact with children, works directly with child, is a safeguarding response role or has been assessed as an elevated risk role for child safeguarding. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) applies.

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

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.