Deputy Director, D-1, UNICEF Innocenti - Global Office of Research and Foresight, Florence, Italy

Contract

This is a D-1 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 15 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 128,707 USD and 162,415 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

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, dedication

Under the general guidance of the Director, the incumbent will lead the Office’s work on strategic direction of research and foresight, including in looking at collaboration across teams, as well as how foresight might trigger an in-depth research initiative, and vice versa. The incumbent will also manage the implementation of the work programme of the office, including results-based budgeting, monitoring of results, and ensuring coherence between office operational processes and delivery of programme results. In addition to fostering partnerships with Country and Regional Offices, the post will also support the Director in engagement with UNICEF New York and Geneva, particularly interfacing with DGCA, PFP, PPD, PG, DAPM, the Evaluation Office and other colleagues.

How can you make a difference?

Under the direct supervision of the Director, UNICEF Innocenti – Global Office of Research and Foresight, the incumbent’s key end results and accountabilities will include:

1. Strategic research and foresight that generates pick-up and use both internally in UNICEF, and amongst partners: UNICEF Innocenti-GO RaF will capitalize on the opportunity provided by the merger of research and foresight functions to influence further and faster progress for children. The global office will use foresight and insight to identify, and harness knowledge and analysis on how to respond to the toughest global challenges facing children. This will include both long-entrenched and newly arising issues, and especially those which other institutions are unwilling or unable to confront, such as politically-sensitive issues and those that affect multiple countries and regions. UNICEF Innocenti-GO RaF will cultivate extensive partnerships in the public, research, foresight, academic and private spheres, as well as complementary areas within UNICEF such as Division of Data, Analytics, Planning and Monitoring (DAPM) and Evaluation Office, to inform the global agenda for children.
2. Lead the teams in considering emerging and timely issues for developing products that can help raise the profile and identify avenues for action by UNICE and partners: The last three decades have witnessed tremendous progress in improving the lives of millions of children around the world. Despite overall progress for children, many have not shared in those gains. Meanwhile, new and constantly evolving, interlinked global challenges are posing an unprecedented threat to children. The reality of the climate crises has resulted in rapidly worsening natural disasters while the war in Ukraine has dramatically impacted the cost-of-living crisis which, in turn, was sparked in part by the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. These impacts are felt disproportionally by the most vulnerable, widening existing inequities. The acceleration of new data collection systems, research and digital technologies, including in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, has also exacerbated the risks to children from poorly designed or inappropriate investments. The complexity of these multiple challenges requires even more knowledge, evidence and foresight capable of addressing them.
3. Monitoring Results and Preparation and Dissemination of Results Reports: Organizes annual reviews of the office’s programme of activities, and additional performance reviews as required. Coordinates monitoring and evaluation of programme results; responsible for annual reporting of progress to high profile donors and other stakeholders. Prepares documentation of the Office’s activities, including preparation of Annual Report and reports for submission to senior management teams and other stakeholders as needed. Coordinates monitoring and reporting activities with other Headquarter units. Leads the process to ensure that office activities and results feature in organizational initiatives, at Executive Board and senior management meetings, in policy dialogue processes and at international conferences or other events of relevance to the research and foresight work of the Office.
4. Representation: Supports the Director in representing the UNICEF Innocenti – GO RaF at events and in organization of events, with key partners and donors, as well as internally within UNICEF and the network of National Committees.

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

• An Advanced University Degree in development-related discipline: Public policy, economics, sociology, business administration and management or other relevant Social Sciences.
• A minimum of 13 years of progressively responsible experience and relevant work experience in leadership and management, which should include experience in research or academic institutions, international organizations, NGOs, government, or the development sector.
• Proven success in fundraising.
• Track record in management for results, strategic partnership building, research management and resource mobilization.
• Familiarity with UNICEF, the UN and its regulations and administrative systems seen as a strong advantage.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Practice and promote Distributive Leadership principles, inspiring and motivating others and creating an environment of trust and mutual respect.
• Demonstrated commitment and ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment and commitment to UNICEF and its vision.
• Proficiency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is 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: https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

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

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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This position is classified as “rotational” which means the incumbent is expected to rotate to another duty station upon completion of their tour of duty.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

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 may also be 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.