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

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 favouritism. 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 fulfil 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. As emergencies become more frequent, the expectations towards UNICEF to deliver on the Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action (CCCs) in a timely and effective manner will continue to increase.   

Purpose of the job:

The Emergency Officer will support the UNICEF ECARO Emergency and Partnerships Teams in the coordination and management of the ongoing Ukraine Refugee Response, as well as other humanitarian responses, by contributing to work streams around reporting, coordination, response planning and preparedness. Under the supervision of the Regional Emergency Adviser, and in close collaboration with the emergency and partnerships teams, regional sections and country teams, the Emergency Officer will ensure fulfilment of internal and external proposal, appeal development and reporting requirements and support internal coordination of the Ukraine Refugee Response and provide support to the regional Emergency Team to implement the region-wide emergency preparedness and response agenda.

How can you make a difference? 

Key functions, accountabilities, and related duties/tasks

Ukraine Refugee Response:

Reporting Tasks:

• Systematically review internal and external reports, SitReps, and communication materials.
• Handle donor requests, briefings, and updates for both internal and external audiences.
• Provide guidance on reporting processes and how to document emergency response activities.
• Support the development of donor reports and appeals, including RRP 2025–2026 and the 2025 Ukraine and Refugee Response HAC.

Information Management Tasks:

• Stay informed on current events and provide analysis for knowledge and communication products.
• Create and regularly update reports, FAQs, backgrounders, data tables, and presentations on the situation.
• Coordinate creation of briefing notes, programmatic presentations, memos, and other information and knowledge products.
• Ensure timely and accurate information flow by maintaining essential contacts with report writers and information managers.
• Support the gathering and sharing of information across sections and programs in the regional office (RO).
• Work with other sections in the RO to ensure information is accurate and current.

Coordination Tasks:

• Act as a liaison for requests, working with the Data and Knowledge Management Specialist to ensure coherent reporting and information sharing.
• Liaise between teams to ensure data availability and identify gaps for regional information products.
• Support regional coordination with refugee response offices, including convening meetings, workshops, etc.

Regional Emergency Preparedness and Response Agenda

Monitoring and Reporting:

• Ensure quality, accurate, and timely data reporting in regional/corporate systems (HPM), providing technical support and guidance to COs for data verification.
• Support the development of quality regional data and reporting products (SitReps, donor proposals, and other regional documents) for the section as needed.

Proposal Development:

• Support the development of quality regional HAC appeals and regional proposals/concept notes for new partnerships and opportunities.
• Collaborate with COs to develop concept notes for resource mobilization aimed at enhancing emergency preparedness and response.
• Respond to donor queries and gather relevant data or reports as needed.

Program Technical and Coordination Support on Emergency Preparedness and DRR:

• Provide support in coordinating humanitarian response efforts and section-wide initiatives, including trainings on Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR).
• Document and share good practices, case studies, and lessons learned on Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR).
• Assist in organizing and coordinating regional Humanitarian Action meetings as required.

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Advanced university degree in international development, International Relations, Public Policy, or another relevant field.

• Work Experience: At least 2 years of work experience in the field of Emergency Preparedness and Response, DRR, reporting, programme coordination, research or other relevant areas (information management, communication, PM&E) is required.
• Skills :
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication in English.
• Knowledge of another official UN language is considered as an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task and meet deadlines.
• Strong organizational, planning, and analytical skills; attention to details.
• Good judgment, initiative, high sense of responsibility, tact, and discretion.
• Takes ownership and initiative and can work both independently and effectively in a team environment.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills in interacting with colleagues at all levels.
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and ability to establish harmonious working relations in a multicultural environment.
• Language Requirements: [Insert the primary UN language you need for the fluency requirement]

Desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency
• Understanding of result reporting, data analysis and report writing skills are required.
• Experience in preparing publications, briefing notes, presentations, and supporting (high-level) meetings is required.
• Experience in communicating with donors is an asset.
• Previous experience in similar tasks with UN agencies or international NGOs working on EPR/DRR is mandatory.

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 

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.

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.

[CO/ HQ specific: 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.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.