For every child, save lives

The Humanitarian Field Support Section (HFSS) aims to provide a ‘one-stop-shop” approach to coherent field support in humanitarian crises, in addition to strengthening the UNICEF’s field capacity on emergency preparedness and risk monitoring, as well as on early recovery programming, humanitarian advocacy and engagement with integrated missions and presences. The team will not only be instrumental in providing support to the field on principled humanitarian action and a strengthened integration of the protection of children dimension in our engagement but will also strive to focus on the quality of the response in close collaboration with key other EMOPS sections. The team is also instrumental in providing briefings, data and analysis to UNICEF senior leaders across the organization to inform their decision making on behalf of strengthened UNICEF’s action for children in humanitarian contexts. The section coordinates closely with all other EMOPS Sections, PG and other HQ Divisions. HFSS provides effective and timely communication lines and support between EMOPS, ROs and COs and day to day coordination and oversight of headquarters’ support to country offices (technical guidance and engagement, humanitarian financing management of the EPF and CERF, inter-agency collaboration, direct guidance on global approaches on country specific crises, etc). The Section supports the EMOPS Director’s Office and OED with timely updates and analyses on humanitarian crises to inform decision-making. It coordinates the deployment of the Emergency Response Team.

How can you make a difference?

Under the general guidance of the Emergency Specialist MENA Lead Desk, the incumbent provides support and guidance to UNICEF MENA country offices (CO) and the regional office (RO) dealing with humanitarian crises (both rapid onset, chronic and fragile situations) for effective coordination of HQ support. The Emergency Specialist will work as part of the Humanitarian Field Support Section (HFSS), as well as with HQ inter-divisional focal points, inter-agency partners, regional emergency staff and other field colleagues.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

• Support and contribute to the effective and strategic coordination of HQ support to MENA COs/RO in humanitarian crises (including L3 / L2 but also chronic and protracted crises, cross-regional, health emergencies, population displacement) on all programmatic and operational matters relating to the humanitarian contexts.

• Provide effective and timely support to MENA COs and RO in developing and reviewing Humanitarian Action for Children (HAC), as well as inter-agency Humanitarian Response Plans/appeal documents.

• Assist MENA RO and COs in critical phases of preparedness and humanitarian response through mission travel. Support complex emergency countries during strategic moments of interagency assessment and planning, including planning for integrated UN presences.

• Through UNICEF’s Emergency Operations Centre (OPSCEN) and other EMOPS sections, in close contact with CO, RO and sister UN agencies, monitor emerging humanitarian political, and recovery trends, and potential socio-political instability. Identify potential humanitarian risks and strategies for preparedness and risk reduction before a new crisis occurs and best approaches for UNICEF to engage in early recovery and transition processes. Support CO/RO in updating their risk analysis in coordination with the Risk Analysis and Preparedness Section (RAPS). Promote contingency planning and enhanced preparedness at all levels in cases of high risks.
• Responsible for rolling out the Emergency Procedures in the MENA region and providing real time feedback back to business owners.
• Coordinate briefs and debriefs of ERTs deployed in the region. Ensure close coordination with them throughout their deployment.

• Ensure UNICEF representation in key inter-agency fora related to emergency response, crisis management, and integrated assessment and planning. Support management engagement with high-level mechanisms such as Emergency Directors’ Group, Integrated Task Forces, Inter-Agency Task Forces, Regional Monitoring Mechanisms and other crisis-management mechanisms.

• Support the EMOPS Director’s Office and UNICEF Senior Management with timely updates and analyses of humanitarian crises including targeted advocacy to be used in inter-agency, donor and external partner meetings. Provide inputs for UNICEF documentation such as updates to the Executive Board, inputs to reports by the Secretary General as well as his Special Representatives, as well as other internal and external papers and policies.

• Provide guidance and support to country offices and regional offices on humanitarian resource mobilization documents (including EPF, CERF and others) in collaboration with relevant divisions. Support MENA COs and RO in monitoring effective and timely programmatic use of allocated humanitarian funds.
• Serve as back-up to Supervisor and other Emergency Specialists in his/her absence.
• Assist with any other task as assigned by the Section Chief.

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

• An Advanced University degree in International Relations, Public Administration / Public Policy, Humanitarian Affairs, Development, Social Sciences, or other related technical disciplines
• Five years professional work experience at national and international levels in humanitarian response.
• Developing country work experience or field work experience.
• Preferred experience in complex emergencies, including experience in early recovery.
• Fluency in both written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is a strong 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…

Builds and maintains partnerships (1) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (1) Drive to achieve results for impact (1) Innovates and embraces change (1) Manages ambiguity and complexity (2) Thinks and acts strategically (1) Works collaboratively with others (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.

Remarks:

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