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 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.

How can you make a difference?

Purpose for the job

Under the supervision of the Planning Specialist, Director’s Office, EMOPS, the Emergency Specialist will manage the development of UNICEF’s 2025 Humanitarian Action for Children (HAC) appeals and improvement of knowledge management initiatives in support of global appeals and key reports, including the humanitarian update to the UNICEF Executive Board at the First Regular Session in 2025. This includes the regular and systematic preparation of publications and updates that highlight UNICEF’s humanitarian action around the world. The emergency specialist supports EMOPS resource mobilization strategies/action plans as well as PPD and other HQ divisions, Regional and Country Offices, for UNICEF’s humanitarian response.

The position will support the EMOPS Director’s Office, specifically in the areas of development of communications products for donors and member states to high-level senior management as well as in delivering on its corporate reporting accountabilities. Under the supervision of and in regular consultation with the supervisor, manages reports and data visualization, including web and graphic design.

The position also supports the planning chief in key planning deliverables including the Division’s annual work planning, mid and end year reviews, and management of Global Humanitarian Thematic funding including tracking and reporting.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Lead the EMOPS support to country and regional offices on the development and launch of the annual 2025 Humanitarian Action for Children (HAC) appeals and update systems enabling the regular updating of the online HAC appeals. Lead the development of the 2025 HAC overview document and ensure an efficient production process, including collecting inputs from relevant stakeholders and coordinate with other offices as appropriate.
2. Oversight of collection and analysis of strategic information and data regarding UNICEF for EMOPS annual report, humanitarian contribution to Executive Director’s Annual Report, and the humanitarian update to the Executive Board at the 2025 First regular session. Throughout the reporting process, extensive liaison with PPD, PD and other HQ Divisions as well as ROs (and COs as necessary) is required to ensure consistency among all reports.
3. Ensure regular production and dissemination of various information and resource mobilization documents on sudden, evolving and prolonged emergency situations, in collaboration with Country and Regional Offices, PPD, PFP, DOC, and other offices as appropriate.  This includes production of the Humanitarian Action for Children, and regular reporting on appeals throughout the year.
4. Oversight and management of the P2 Emergency Officer in the areas of  data management, coordination of appeals process and related knowledge management tools, communications as well as in delivering on its corporate reporting accountabilities; data visualization, including web and graphic design; delivery of the 2024 HAC overview, as well as regular data aggregation of country humanitarian responses for better accountability and fundraising through UNICEF’s humanitarian appeal (Humanitarian Action for Children) and for National Committee, donor, partner and other external audiences
5. Provide communication support for the Director’s office and undertake any other tasks as identified. This may include drafting of talking points, development of power point
6. presentations, one page donor briefings.
7. Provide support for EMOPS annual planning, and end year review, and management of Global Humanitarian Thematic (GHT) funding especially focusing on funds monitoring and donor recognition and visibility.

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Advanced university degree in social sciences, international development or related technical field relevant to UNICEF programmes·
• Work Experience: Five years of progressively responsible work experience at international or national levels in the areas of programme formulation, implementation, planning, monitoring/evaluation and reporting. Must have excellent analytical and report writing skills, including ability to analyze data, recognize trends and outliers, and interpret what they mean in terms of programme implementation. A keen eye for detail is necessary, along with the ability to think strategically and timely respond with quality to urgent requests and multi-tasking requests.
• Language Requirements: Fluency and excellent writing skills in in English is critical and required, and at least one other UN 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…

(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.

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.