UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, Champion

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. 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.

China CO is a large country office. While demonstrating results for children at scale in China, UNICEF also works with the government, private sector and other actors to harness the reach and resources of China for the benefit of children globally.

How can you make a difference?

Under the overall guidance and direction of the Head of Office, the Executive Manager plays a pivotal role in assisting the Representative to develop and coordinate strategic direction matters, as they pertain to all aspects of UNICEF’s work. S/he performs an essential liaison function between senior figures and maintains effective linkages with other relevant functional units both in UNICEF and externally. S/he supervises the Front Office team.

key functions/accountabilities:

• Support the Representative and the office management in setting and perusing key strategic objectives.
• Support the management in prioritizing work in line with these objectives and in communicating strategic priorities to the office’s internal and external counterparts at all levels.
• Analytically review information received by the Representative and the management and identify priority matters that need to be urgently addressed, advising on action as appropriate.
• Manage the flow of information to the Representative and ensure that appropriate action is taken by responsible section/division/office heads on matters brought to the attention of the Representative.
• Draft sensitive and important correspondence on a variety of matters on behalf of the Representative.
• Assist with the crafting of guidance documents, policy statements and speeches for delivery by the Representative, and initiate, edit, and finalize drafts prepared by other units. Effectively liaise with communications focal points to ensure preps and coverage for social media and other engagements.
• Coordinate activities related to policy formulation, preparing background and position papers for the Representative’s consideration in cooperation with relevant offices and sections.
• Coordinate and participate in meetings and special events involving the Representative with senior staff and external visitors. Prepare summary conclusions on such meetings, as requested. Ensure follow-up actions are monitored and brought to the attention of the Representative.
• Assist in planning and managing the Representative’s missions and meetings, accompanying the Representative when required, ensuring the maximum effectiveness of the mission and ensuring that all necessary follow-up action is taken.
• Assist the Representative and office senior management in the preparation of strategic documents for high-level meetings involving the Executive Director, Deputy Executive Directors, Regional Directors, Representatives and other key senior figures within and outside the organisation and escalate urgent and important issues as required.
• Oversee and ensure the timely flow of information within the office, and with the region, Headquarters, and others as required, in close consultation with the Representative and Deputy Representatives (DepReps).
• For staff under their supervision, establish clear individual performance objectives, goals and timelines; and provide timely guidance to enable the team to perform their duties responsibly and efficiently.
• Monitor work progress and ensure results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards.
• Follow-up on policies and instructions presented by the Representative.

Impact of Results:

Strategic impact of UNICEF China Office and its senior management is ensured through effective management of the UNICEF China Front Office and its partnerships, programme and management support functions. Goals set out in the Front Office workplan are achieved, which will help enable UNICEF to achieve programme goals at national and global levels.

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

Skills:

• Skill in the identification of new opportunities or requirements to meet challenges and propose changes.
• Diplomatic communication and negotiation skills to establish and maintain trusted partnerships for achievement of objectives and to develop close and effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to contribute to formulation of strategies and policies
• Excellent drafting and editing skills
• Excellent communication skills
• High standards of tact, discretion, integrity, and confidentiality.
• Proven ability to work effectively and efficiently as a team, coping with pressure and setbacks, as well as responding and adapting to change.
• Strong analytical skills, drive for results, as well as planning and organizing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships, both within and outside the organization.
• Ability to work proactively and with minimal supervision, following instructions, procedures and policies, and keeps to schedules delivering work on time.
• Excellent time management skills to deal with conflicting and urgent priorities.

Education:

• An advanced university degree is required in International Relations, Political Science, Public Administration, or another relevant technical field.

Experience:

• A minimum of eight years of relevant professional work experience in external relations, public affairs or international development cooperation, preferably within the UN, or in a government institution, NGO.
• Prior experience of working in coordination, planning, or in an executive office will be an asset.
• Experience working in other organizations (government, UN, and NGO) in a coordination capacity.
• Experience in both headquarters and the field, working with multiple priorities in high-pressure environments.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as 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

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (2)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (2)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

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 benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
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 promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates with disability are encouraged to apply.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also 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 cancelled.

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.

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.