UNICEF works in some of the world’s most challenging 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, hope and care 

Under the direct supervision of the Director, Division of Human Resources, the incumbent of the post is responsible for providing administrative support to the Directorate Office and additional support to the implementation of the Office’s initiatives and projects with cross-sectional and inclusive approach. The incumbent is also expected to assist in human resources activities in accordance with the Directorate Office’s work plans and DHR’s Office Management Plan (OMP). The incumbent will play a role in assisting DHR senior leaders in breaking down silos, working across sections as well as HR functions, and partnering with stakeholders inside and outside global HR community and UNICEF to bring about transformational changes.

How can you make a difference?

1. Administrative support to the Directorate Office

• Manage and schedule appointments and maintain/coordinate calendar of the Director and Deputy Director and of other senior leaders when required.
• Perform appropriate coordination/liaison with various sections within DHR, with other Divisions, the global HR community, other UN agencies, and partners.
• Make travel arrangements, screen calls and answer queries with discretion.
• Receive, screen, log and route correspondence, attach necessary background information and maintain follow-up system. Ensure quality assurance in correspondence requiring the signature of the Directors and on occasion those of the Executive/Deputy Executive Directors. Review all correspondence and suggest changes when necessary. Ensure accuracy of information and that all relevant documentation is available.
• Arrange meetings; support in preparation for meetings, including obtaining agenda of meetings, coordinating and collecting briefing notes, identifying HR issues to bring these to the timely attention of the Directors, gathering documentation and preparing PowerPoint presentations when necessary, etc.; take note and follow up on action points in meetings as appropriate.
• Manage and maintain good working relationship and effective communication flow between the Directorate Office and DHR sections, global HR community, and counterparts/clients. Keep abreast of all incoming and outgoing mail to ensure appropriate follow-up action on matters usually handled by the Directorate. Support the officer-in charge as requested.
• Maintain section files and databases, update lists of names, addresses and telephone numbers.

2. Additional support to the Directorate Office’s initiatives and projects

• Assist in procurement activities (mainly with VISION-related tasks), invoice processing, etc. upon request.
• Support logistic arrangement for events.
• Help with documentation, in-house notification, website updates, SharePoint site maintenance, etc.

3. Support to human resource activities of DHR and the Directorate Office

• Solicit and compile document/reports on different HR areas from DHR sections for senior leaders.
• Provide support in implementing HR activities to teams in the Directorate Office upon request.
• Interfaces/corresponds with various internal/external stakeholders for the purpose of gathering and disseminating information in response to staff queries.

Proposes innovative ideas for continuous improvements in HR business processes.

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

• Completion of secondary education. University-level courses are desirable.
• A minimum of 6 years of progressively responsible human resources, administrative or clerical work experience required.
• Experience within UNICEF or other international organization is desirable.
• Prior experience in managing office processes and events for a fast-paced program team with multiple demands is highly desirable.
• Non-US candidates must be in possession of an existing US G4 visa or be a US permanent resident/citizen.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

Core Competencies

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
• Works Collaboratively with others (1)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

Functional Competencies:

• Analyzing (1)
• Learning and Researching (1)
• Planning and Organizing (1)
• Following Instructions and Procedures (1)

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. All selected candidates will, therefore, 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.

Remarks:

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). 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.