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 future of hope and prosperity

DRC is a complex, high threat environment, the Chief Emergency reports to the Representative and represents UNICEF at senior strategic humanitarian coordination forums for DRC such as UNHCT, Humanitarian Coordination Forum.

How can you make a difference?

Under the guidance of the Representative, and in consultation with the Deputy Representative and Programme Section Chiefs, the position is accountable for supporting and coordinating all aspects of UNICEF DRC’s emergency preparedness and response activities.

As delegated by the Representatives, this post will represent UNICEF at senior strategic humanitarian coordination forums for DRC such as UNHCT, Humanitarian Coordination Forum.

Additionally, it will ensure quality humanitarian performance management of and reporting on the response for children; ensure consolidated, timely and quality contributions to emergency preparedness through platforms such as the EWEA; Humanitarian Response Plan/HAC preparations and support to cluster coordination.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1) Ensure continuous flow of strategic information on the risks and vulnerabilities facing children and women in DRC to the Representative, Deputy Representative, Chief of Field Operations, Chiefs of Field Offices and Chiefs of Sections.

2) Oversee the analysis of information and identification of trigger mechanism, for the purpose of early warning.

3) Provide leadership and expertise on overall UNICEF emergency strategy to maximize holistic results for children in humanitarian situation.

(i) Lead the development, implementation and monitoring of the HAC and report accordingly.
(ii) Lead and provide technical expertise for the development of convergent and integrated emergency programme, strategies, and approaches in close collaboration with the Deputy Representative.

4) In coordination with Chief of Field operation, provide oversight and guidance on early-warning and multi-hazard preparedness planning as well as specific contingency planning for Field Offices t based on UNICEF guidance and tools and ensure appropriate monitoring of actions to enhance the readiness of UNICEF DRC Country Office.

5) Lead and ensure a coordinated, timely and efficient response to sudden emergency.

(i) Coordinate and provide technical support to an efficient, timely and effective implementation of sudden emergency responses.
(ii) Ensure the engagement and coordination of all sections in UNICEF’s emergency response as well as circulation of information, analysis and updates between the field offices and the sections in Kinshasa.

6) Provide oversight for efficient rapid responses and Humanitarian Cash programmes and funds allocated to emergency section. Lead and provide technical expertise to the development and implementation of effective and efficient rapid response programs (UniRR and Cholera Rapid Response) as well as Cash programmes. Monitor timely and appropriate utilization of emergency funds according to donor conditions.

7) Supervise and provide oversight and technical guidance to the UNICEF led clusters coordinators (WASH, Nutrition, Education, Child Protection, NFI).

(i) Oversee the effective coordination of the clusters led by UNICEF.
(ii) Ensure harmonized inputs from UNICEF-led cluster coordinators are provided to strategic plans such as HNO, HRP, Humanitarian Funds strategy.
(iii) In collaboration with the respective section chiefs, ensure quality inputs are provided to the inter-agency strategic plans.

8) Support UNICEF’s effective external representation and coordination in influencing and leveraging for child rights in DRC.

(i) Engage and support engagement with the inter-agency coordination fora to influence the overall humanitarian strategy, advance UNICEF’s priorities and highlight humanitarian gaps.
(ii) In coordination with Deputy Representative and Partnership Manager, engage with donors to position UNICEF emergency programmes and to ensure a better understanding of UNICEF’s emergency strategy in DRC and increase emergency resources. Ensure timely and quality contributions of UNICEF-led clusters to funding opportunities (including CERF, CHF, etc.), as well as to donor reporting.

9) Ensure in close collaboration with the UNICEF Deputy Representative and the Chief of field operations the building of timely and quality capacity of UNICEF staff and counterparts on key humanitarian related issues and ensure that the CO is fully abreast with UNICEF’s internal developments and reforms to improve UNICEF’s ability to service children; ensure timely surge for humanitarian response capacity.

10) Other assigned duties and responsibilities are effectively performed and fulfilled.

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: An Advanced University degree in one of the following fields is required: social sciences, public administration, international law, public health, nutrition, international relations, business administration or other related disciplines. Preferably a combination of management, administration, and relevant technical fields.
• Work Experience: A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional work experience at the national and international levels in all aspects of programme/project management and administration is required.
  • Developing country work experience is required.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in French and English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

Desirables: Familiarity with emergency. Specialized training/experience in emergency response management highly desirable.

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

(8) Nurtures, leads, and manages people

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.

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

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.