Current vacancies

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, Protection

UNICEF’s Office of Emergency Programs (EMOPS) which is in New York, Geneva and Istanbul, is the focal point for emergency assistance, humanitarian policies, staff security and support to UNICEF offices in the field, as well as strategic coordination with external humanitarian partners both within and outside the United Nations system. EMOPS thus leads efforts to ensure that UNICEF’s role in complex emergencies and natural disasters is clearly defined, that the organization is properly equipped to fulfill that role, and that all levels of the organization are prepared to deliver our mandate. It aims to strengthen the ability of the organization to respond during times of humanitarian crisis.

The Humanitarian Field Support Section (HFSS) is the first port of call at headquarters for countries dealing with emergencies. HFSS is the hub for Representatives, regional emergency staff and other field staff in need of assistance from headquarters in terms of coordinated programmatic and operational support, as well as inter-agency and advocacy matters. HFSS coordinates headquarters support to country and regional offices. It also ensures that senior UNICEF decision-makers have access to all relevant information, analysis, and advice on ongoing humanitarian crises.

The position is located in the Deputy Director Office in New York, HQ.

How can you make a difference? 

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

1.  Managerial Leadership:

- Establish the section’s annual work plan with the HFS team and set priorities and targets. Monitor work progress and ensure results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards.

- Establish clear individual performance objectives, goals, and timelines; and provide timely guidance to enable the team to perform their duties responsibly and efficiently. Plan and ensure timely performance management and assessment of the team.

- Supervise team members by providing them with clear objectives, goals, direction, and guidance to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively, and efficiently.

- Ensure timely and appropriate deployment of ERT staff members in support of country offices.

- Provide managerial guidance to the units in the section on general policy direction.

- Work closely with the HPS to ensure that field experiences feeds into emergency policy development and discussions about programme development and response.

- Identify and recommend human resources required for programmes.  Ensure appropriate professional development and training of section staff and monitors implementation of training plans and staff development activities in the section.

2. Programme Development, Planning and Management:

- Ensure close contacts with country offices in emergency prone regions, emergency regional advisors, programme and other relevant HQ divisions for inter-sectoral coordination, exchange of information, and sharing of experience to achieve emergency programme objectives. Contribute to the preparation of annual/programme status reports and updates.

- Monitors humanitarian needs development at the international, national, regional levels. Documents trends and drafts position papers for use in the development of the UNICEF global emergency programme policy.

- Monitor the overall commitment, expenditure, and liquidation of programme funds in accordance with the programme budget allotments (PBA). Takes necessary action for optimum use of programme funds and support overall management through participation in management meetings within the office, to review major office operations, human resources, programme and administrative budget management.

3. Advocacy, Networking and Partnership Building:

- Participate and/or represents UNICEF in meetings with multi-lateral, bilateral agencies, and NGO's when appropriate. Identifies strategic alliances, and influences policy development to facilitate achievement of programme goals.

4. Innovation, Knowledge Management and Capacity Building:

- Promote critical thinking, innovative approaches, and good practices for sustainable humanitarian field support programme/project initiatives through advocacy and technical advisory services.

- Keep abreast, research, benchmark, and implement best and cutting-edge practices in humanitarian crisis management and information systems. Institutionalize and share best practices and knowledge learned.

- Contribute to the development of policies and procedures and introduce innovation and best practices to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programmes and projects.

- Lead, plan and/or implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients and stakeholders to promote sustainable results on humanitarian actions related programmes/projects.

- Keep abreast with the political and social developments and emerging humanitarian crisis in the geographic regions and advise Senior management on any issue that would require emergency response and strategic decision making.

5. Humanitarian Preparedness and Response Field Deployment Support:

- Deploy to the field on short notice to support emergency operations in response to crises or urgent situations. Expected to assist in the delivery of humanitarian response interventions, coordinate with relevant stakeholders, and provide on-the-ground expertise as necessary.

Impact of Results:

The efficiency and efficacy of support provided by the Chief, Humanitarian Field Support to the preparation, planning and implementation of humanitarian field support contributes to efficient and effective responses to humanitarian crises. This in turn contributes to maintaining and enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to continue to respond during times of humanitarian crisis.

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Advanced university degree in any of the following: Social Sciences, Public Administration, International Relations, Business Administration, Public Health, Education, or other fields related to the work of UNICEF.
• Work Experience: A minimum of ten years of relevant experience including having worked with the UN and/or NGO with specific focus on coordination and program management, emergency programme/project development, social development, management, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and administration.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is considered as an asset.

Desirables:

• Emergency context work experience is an asset.
• Experience in a UN organization is an asset.
• Current knowledge of development issues, strategies, as well as programming policies and procedures in international development cooperation. 
• Proven ability to conceptualize, innovate, plan and execute ideas, as well as to impart knowledge and teach skills. 
• Leadership and organizational ability. Good analytical, negotiating, communication and advocacy skills.
• Computer skills, including internet navigation and various office applications.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships, both within and outside the organization.

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…

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)
Drives to achieve impactful results (2)
Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

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

In this role, you will collaborate with colleagues across multiple locations. For effective collaboration, we encourage flexible working hours that accommodate different time zones while prioritizing staff wellbeing.

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

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.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.