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 calling.

In 2025, 15.5 million children in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) will need humanitarian assistance, with 21 out of 24 UNICEF country offices responding to emergencies, primarily migration. The region's humanitarian landscape has shifted from socio-natural disasters to diverse crises, despite being mostly high and middle-income countries. LAC remains the most unequal region, with governments often unable to meet children's needs due to low capacities and weak systems. Indigenous, Afro-descendant communities, and migrants are the most vulnerable. Climate change-related disasters and armed violence are increasing, causing displacement and lack of access to services. Public health emergencies, like Dengue outbreaks, are also expected to worsen due to climate change.

How can you make a difference? 

Under the direct supervision of the LACRO Regional Director, and with guidance from the LACRO Deputy Regional Director, the Regional Advisor for Emergency (P5) is responsible for initiating and supporting strategic and program planning related to humanitarian action across the Latin America and the Caribbean Region. The Regional Advisor supports Country Offices and the Regional Office in contingency planning and preparedness efforts to ensure adequate emergency preparedness, operations, and response capacity throughout the region

• All UNICEF Offices in the region maintain up-to-date contingency and emergency preparedness plans aligned with global policy, ensuring proactive risk monitoring and timely action.
• Country offices benefit from strengthened leadership and technical expertise, resulting in effective development and implementation of emergency preparedness and response plans across the region.
• Emergency preparedness and response plans of countries across the region integrate explicit attention to gender and prioritize the needs of marginalized children, women, and families.
• The capacities of UNICEF staff and key implementing counterparts in emergency preparedness and response are enhanced through knowledge sharing, best practices dissemination, and targeted capacity development initiatives.
• A well-maintained and regularly updated regional roster of First Line Responders is in place, supported by systematic capacity development and rapid deployment to emergencies regionally as needed.
• Adequate funding is mobilized and secured to support humanitarian action, through coordinated efforts with internal and external partners.
• Technical leadership and guidance on shock responsive systems are effectively provided, enhancing regional and national capacities to respond to disasters.
• Humanitarian response measures are implemented swiftly, facilitated by strong coordination within the Regional Office (RO), between RO and COs, and with HQ, ensuring immediate needs are addressed effectively.
• Sectoral emergency strategies, including strengthening child-centred shock responsive systems, are effectively integrated into regional and country office work plans, supported by strong leadership, a forward-thinking vision, and expert advice, influencing Situation Analysis and Country Programme planning.
• Effective coordination mechanisms are established and maintained at the regional and country levels, ensuring alignment with the CCCs and enhancing cross-agency collaboration.
• Consistent coordination with HQ, including EMOPS, CEED, and WASH PG, is achieved, enhancing support for regional emergency preparedness and response efforts.
• Any additional duties and responsibilities assigned are executed efficiently, contributing to the overall achievement of UNICEF’s emergency preparedness and response objectives.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Regional Adviser Emergency, P5

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, international law, public health, nutrition, international relations, business administration, engineering or other related disciplines. Preferably a combination of management, administration, and relevant technical fields.

• Work Experience: At least 10 years of progressively responsible senior managerial experience in emergency programme operation, public relations, and management of human, financial and institutional resources at national and international levels, Prior UNICEF field experience in the LAC Region is highly desirable. 
• Skills: Thorough knowledge about current theories, practices in specialized field(s) of profession related to UNICEF work in emergencies.
  • Knowledge of UNICEF policies and strategies on emergency issues, particularly relating to conflicts, natural disasters, DRR, Preparedness and recovery.
  • Knowledge of regional humanitarian issues, specifically relating to children and women, and the current UNCEF position and approaches.
  • Knowledge of regional conditions and country legislation relevant to UNICEF programmes.
  • Knowledge of humanitarian reform principles, international humanitarian laws, reform updates.
  • Knowledge of the latest developments and trends in emergency preparedness and response management related fields.
  • Demonstrated ability for leadership, negotiation, advocacy, and social mobilization.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage diverse functional groups and supervise groups of senior level professional and technical staff. 
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English and Proficiency in Spanish is required.

Desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.
• Knowledge of French and Portuguese 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…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships - Level 2

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness - Level 2

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact - Level 2

(4) Innovates and embraces change - Level 2

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity - Level 2

(6) Thinks and acts strategically - Level 2

(7) Works collaboratively with others - Level 2

(8) Nurtures, leads and manages people - Level 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 underrepresented groups 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.

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.