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 vision.

The Chief, Field Services reports directly to the Deputy Representative, manages the emergency programme, and oversees six field offices and one sub-office in Bangladesh country office. When it comes to the issues related to the Rohingya Humanitarian Emergency, the incumbent of the Chief of Field Services reports to the Representative given its political nature and the fact that the Representative is the one who attends the meetings within the UN Country Team and with the Government of Bangladesh related to the Rohingya Humanitarian Emergency. Incumbent operates independently and only requires general guidance. Incumbent provides technical support and advice to the Representative and the Deputy Representative and Programme Section Chiefs. The position will be matrix managed between the Representative and the Deputy Representative (Programme). The post is Dhaka-based, with frequent travel within the country and sometimes outside the country.

How can you make a difference?

Under the guidance of the Deputy Representative, and in consultation with the Programme Section Chiefs, lead the Field Operaton Section and provide overall guidance for the coordination and monitoring of UNICEF Country Programme emergency activities and activities implemented at the field to ensure convergence, synergy and quality of services. Also advocate UNICEF policies at all relevant levels with senior government officials and other authorities, and coordinate UNICEF’s emergency preparedness and response in a timely and impactful manner.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. As part of the senior management team and leading the field operations section, ensure the integration of the sectoral programme with other sectors in all stages of the programming process, (i.e., the Situation Analysis, programme strategy, planning, monitoring and evaluation and courses of action for achievement of programme results) to contribute to the realization of the rights of children and their families.

2. Responsible for ensuring that communication between Field Offices and Dhaka is continuous and high quality – highlighting critical issues and new information, sharing good practices and innovative ideas and participating in Dhaka and Field Office key meetings to collect / disseminate information. This would also include representing Field Office concerns in Dhaka programme and operations’ sections on issues related to strategies, fund release, procurement, coordination of field office staff in BCO-approved calendar of events to avoid overlaps etc.

3. Provide leadership, guidance and direction for programme management and effective monitoring of implementation through periodic meetings, individually and in groups, with the various sectoral team members. Ensure exchanges of information, experience, identify new strategies and courses of action to accelerate / improve delivery of services and achieve programme requirements and results.

4. Coordinate and monitor the emergency situation in the country with the support of the Field Offices and concerned authorities, and coordinate UNICEF’s response. Work with programme section chiefs to support stronger humanitarian development linkages in programming and resource mobilization. Participate in inter-agency Emergency Response Events. Provide guidance and technical support in preparation and updating of Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan

5. Interact with the government and other partners, NGOs, UN and bilateral agencies to ensure programme convergence and synergy of sevices and to follow-up on implementation of recommendations and agreements. Provide technical support, orientation and guidance to government officials and NGOs and other development partners on appropriate technical and institutional capacity-building measures, to achieve programme goals and expand coverage of services.

6. Contribute towards the preparation of the Situation Analysis by sharing lessons learnt, compiling data, analyzing and evaluating information and good practices. Prepare and submit timely progress/ status reports for management, Board, donors, budget reviews, programme monitoring and evaluation, annual reports, etc.

7. Coordinate field assessment visits for evaluating programme effectiveness, identifying problems and instituting remedial measures.

For detailed job responsibilities, please see the attached TOR:  JD_Chief Field Services P-4 Dhaka.docx

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

The following minimum requirements:

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: social sciences, international relations, public administration, government and public relations, public or social policy, sociology, social or community development, or another relevant technical field.

• A minimum of Eight years of progressively, responsible, professional work experience in programme management, planning, monitoring and evaluation, project administration or another relevant area is required, with emphasis on strategic planning.

•   Fluency in English is required.

The following desirables:

• Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset.

• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.

• Familiarity/ background with emergency is considered as an asset.

• Knowledge of another UN language or local knowledge 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

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 [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 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 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:

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. The genuine and complete vacancy announcements are published on UNICEF Careers website at https://jobs.unicef.org/en-us/listing/

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.

Internal candidates may be given preference over external candidates. The term “Internal” refers to all staff members with fixed term, continuing or permanent appointments.

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

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.

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.

Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their candidate profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in the Applicant system in order to be considered.  The information submitted will be used for administrative purposes, salary/step determination and conditions of employment. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be accepted for applications that have already been submitted for this position.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.