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.

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For every child, hope

The crises in the Northeast Nigeria have taken the form of protracted crises and it is imperative that UNICEF takes consideration of emergency and early recovery needs while laying a ground for development and upstream work. The Chief of Field Office plays a vital role in the efficient functioning of the field office and effective implementation of the programme interventions in a complex and challenging environment to ensure aspirations of children in this part of the world are realized through UNCEF interventions.

How can you make a difference?

Under the guidance of the Chief Field Operations & Emergency, the Chief Field Office (CFO) is accountable for managing and leading the total programme commitment of the field office for three states in north-east Nigeria within the country programme. The CFO represents UNICEF in his/her Area of Responsibility (AoR), leads, and oversees the various program sectors and operational service teams ensuring the delivery of quality results in accordance with UNICEF’s programme of cooperation, country programme management plan and overall vision set forward by the Representative.

Key accountabilities  

Within the delegated authority and the given organizational set-up, the incumbent may be responsible for all or most of the following areas of major duties and key results.

1. Effective management of UNICEF presence, staff, and assets.
2. Knowledge Management for Programmes
3. Programme Development and Management

4. Optimum Use of Program Funds

5. Programme Monitoring and Evaluations

6. Rights-Based and Results-Based Programme Management Approach

7. National and Local Capacity Building/Sustainability

8. Rights Perspective and Advocacy at the National, Community, and Family Levels.

9. Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration

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, international relations, public administration, government and public relations, public or social policy, sociology, social or community development, or another relevant technical field.

Experience

• A minimum of ten years of professional work experience in programme management, planning, monitoring and evaluation, project administration or another relevant area is required.
• Experience of working in a similar role is highly desirable.
• Capability to strengthen the development side without neglecting the humanitarian demands required.
•  Strategic and innovative thinking, ability to take risks, hands-on programmatic experience, and excellent interpersonal and leadership skills required.
•  Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered an asset.
•  Experience of working in a developing country is considered as an asset.
•  Familiarity/ background with emergency is highly desirable.

Language Requirements

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN language or local knowledge of the duty station is considered an asset.

Desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency. [Please do not remove this desirable; it should be present in all advertisements]

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) 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 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 female 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.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements