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, A safe home

 

 

difficulties families are experiencing. High debt servicing costs and international spending pressures strain fiscal stability and impede poverty reduction, potentially driving political instability.

 

Nearly 12 million people are internally displaced within the region, and 4.6 million people have sought refuge, largely due to escalating conflicts in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The situation is critical for children who are refugees, as they are especially vulnerable to violence, exploitation, and family separation.

Additionally, climate change is exacerbating the effects of the current El Niño weather pattern, leading to unprecedented droughts and floods that have devastated already vulnerable communities. As the region braces for escalating humanitarian needs, the potential onset of the La Niña weather pattern looms. The outlook for children is increasingly alarming. Amid declining food production and rising malnutrition, they are bearing the worst of this crisis: approximately one in three children faces food poverty, 2.78 million children under age 5 are severely wasted, and 28 million throughout the region are at risk of being trapped in a cycle of malnutrition and poverty, depriving them of the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.

Public health emergencies are disproportionately impacting women and children, with a number of countries experiencing outbreaks of cholera, measles, mpox, and Marburg virus disease. Cholera continues to pose a significant threat in the Comoros, Malawi, and Zambia, while outbreaks of mpox in Burundi, Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda, and Marburg virus disease in Rwanda present substantial regional risks.

The Humanitarian Action, Resilience, and Peace Building (HARP) Section of UNICEF’s East and Southern Africa Office (ESARO) works closely with other sections in the RO and support Country Offices (Cos) to ensure for effective emergency preparedness and timely humanitarian response as outlined in the Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action (CCCs).

How can you make a difference? 

As a member of the HARP team, and under the overall guidance and supervision of the P4 Emergency Specialist (51878) in close collaboration with the Regional Emergency Advisor, the Emergency Specialist plays a crucial role in supporting COs and strengthening linkages with the RO for effective, efficient and timely emergency preparedness and response. This position involves close collaboration with COs, sectoral emergency focal points within the RO, and external partners to ensure qualitative and timely emergency preparedness and response.

Coordination/ Reporting/Knowledge Management

12. Keeps management informed of all humanitarian developments in the region in terms of policies, strategy, situation developments, potential threats and opportunities.
13. Lead the preparation of in-country reports and briefing notes, as well as donor reporting for country supported
14. As requested, maintains continuous, effective, and strategic coordination, communication, consultation, and liaison with regional bodies, UN agencies, NGOs, and allies as needed.
15. Collects and analyses lessons learnt from UNICEF's emergency operations experience and contributes towards adoption of the best practices and standards for longer-term emergency interventions.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: [attach JD/TOR here]

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

Minimum requirements:

Education: 

• Advanced University degree in one of the following fields: Social Sciences, Public Administration/Public Policy, International Relations, Business Administration, Humanitarian Affairs, Development Studies, or a related field
•  

Work Experience: 

At least 5 years of relevant work experience in progressively professional work experience at national and international levels in complex humanitarian environment /program development, planning, implementation, and monitoring.

• Confirmed experience in emergency preparedness in complex settings including experience in complex emergencies in the East and Southern Africa region is highly desirable.
• Specialized training/experience in emergency response management is required.

Skills 

• Excellent written reporting skills. 

Language Requirements: 

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN language is considered an asset.

Desirables:

• Working experience in the Eastern and South African region is an asset.
• Experience in facilitating EPR training
• Experience in facilitating AAR

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 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 male 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.