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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, Hope

Purpose

The incumbent is responsible for supporting the Representative in developing, implementing and following up on key strategic priorities; coordinating, managing and planning activities in a systematic and organized manner; and managing an effective system for incoming information, including correspondence and decision memos.

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.

Purpose for the job:

The incumbent is responsible for supporting the Representative in developing, implementing and following up on key strategic priorities; coordinating, managing and planning activities in a systematic and organized manner; and managing an effective system for incoming information, including correspondence and decision memos.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

 Follow-up on policies and instructions presented by the Representative. Keep the Representative update on developments in UNICEF’s operations and of policy issues related directly to UNICEF or to humanitarian issues affecting the response in Sudan.

• Draft regular information notes and other written products that provide briefings on areas of concern to UNICEF and that propose areas where action by the Executive Office would further the objectives of the Office.
• Contribute to coordinating drafts of position papers and other documents relevant to the activities of the office.
• Assist the Representative in the preparation of statements that represent UNICEF’s overall policies and which highlight specific areas of concern. Propose and draft substantive correspondence for the Representative.
• Support the Representative in efforts to raise the profile of UNICEF and the agency’s concerns within the context of the broader United Nations system.
• Manage the flow of information to the Representative, identify priority matters that need to be urgently addressed by the supervisor and propose actions; analyze supporting documentation and summarize most relevant points for the supervisor; ensure that appropriate action is taken by responsible section heads on matters brought to the attention of the supervisor.
• Confer with internal Section Chiefs and external senior managers to secure timely and authoritative information relevant to matters requiring action, decisions or the approval of the Representative.
• Ensure that the Representative is prepared for meetings and missions by drafting talking points, by researching relevant information; and by establishing contacts (within and outside UNICEF) on the subject matters to be discussed.
• Accompany the supervisor to meetings and on missions in order to prepare notes on the discussions, ensure follow-up in matters raised, and support the supervisor with any relevant input.

Impact results:

The Executive Specialist liaises with colleagues within the same office, at HQ, and in the field, on matters of non-routine significance in order to prepare documents for the supervisor and manage the flow of information.

Regular contacts with external parties, including UN office, donors and International organizations, are made to provide the supervisor’s contacts with background information on relevant topics prior to meetings, to respond queries on behalf of the supervisor at his/her  discretions and to obtain assistance of others on matters of relevant to the office.

• Ability to work proactively and with minimal supervision, following instructions, procedures and policies, and keeps to schedules delivering work on time.
• Excellent time management skills to deal with conflicting and urgent priorities.
• Proven ability to work effectively and efficiently as a team, coping with pressure and setbacks, as well as responding and adapting to change.
• Ability to work proactively and with minimal supervision, following instructions, procedures and policies, and keeps to schedules delivering work on time.
• Excellent time management skills to deal with conflicting and urgent priorities.

Skills:

• Skill in the identification of new opportunities or requirements to meet challenges and propose changes.
• Diplomatic communication and negotiation skills to establish and maintain trusted partnerships for achievement of objectives and to develop close and effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to contribute to formulation of strategies and policies
• Excellent drafting and editing skills
• Excellent communication skills
•  High standards of tact, discretion, integrity, and confidentiality.

• Proven ability to work effectively and efficiently as a team, coping with pressure and setbacks, as well as responding and adapting to change.
• Strong analytical skills, drive for results, as well as planning and organizing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships, both within and outside the organization.
• Ability to work proactively and with minimal supervision, following instructions, procedures and policies, and keeps to schedules delivering work on time.
• Excellent time management skills to deal with conflicting and urgent priorities.
• Proven ability to work effectively and efficiently as a team, coping with pressure and setbacks, as well as responding and adapting to change.
• Ability to work proactively and with minimal supervision, following instructions, procedures and policies, and keeps to schedules delivering work on time.
• Excellent time management skills to deal with conflicting and urgent priorities.

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

Minimum requirements:

Education: 

An advanced university degree is required in International Relations, Political Science, Public Administration, or another relevant technical field.

Experience: 

A minimum of five years of relevant professional work experience in external relations, public affairs or international development cooperation, preferably within the UN, or in a government institution, NGO

Prior experience of working in coordination and planning is required.

Prior experience managing a Front Office or executive office is required.

Prior experience working in emergency contexts is required. Prior experience in an L3 emergency will be a strong asset.

Prior experience working in complex political environments is required.

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.

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…

Core Competencies:

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1)
• 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)

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here  JD Executive Specialist - P-3.pdf

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 cancelled.

 Remarks:

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

 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.

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