Emergency Specialist, P-3, 6 Months, Office of Emergency Programmes

Contract

This is a P-3 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 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 140,639 USD and 184,155 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 EMOPS/New York is currently undergoing organizational changes; therefore, the exact location of the post has yet to be determined. Selected candidates may be required to commence duties remotely until the location is confirmed. If reassigned or relocated to New York, candidates may be expected to relocate to a new location again during the initial contract or assignment period.

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, a Champion

Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, conflict, poverty, malnutrition and climate change were already driving unprecedented growth in the number of children in need of humanitarian assistance. As the COVID-19 has intensified needs, emergencies become more frequent, resources invested in humanitarian action grow, and expectations for UNICEF to deliver on the Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action (CCCs) in a timely and effective manner increase.

Timely, effective and efficient response in emergency is at the core of the UNICEF’s mandate. Based on the learnings from the COVID-19 and the OIAI Thematic Review, UNICEF has developed, through a collaborative and extensive consultation process, new Emergency Procedures. Those Procedures are led by different Business Owners, with significant inputs from Country Office, Regional Office and Headquarters colleagues.

The Emergency Procedures apply to all emergencies (L1 to L3), with additional simplifications for L3 and L2 emergencies. They are the operational hand of the CCCs and follow the recommendations of the Humanitarian Review 202. This includes simplifications and a minimum package of actions to be taken in emergencies, such as for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), Access and Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP).

UNICEF has made the Emergency Procedures mandatory, setting an organizational approach to risk in humanitarian emergencies. They include mandatory actions for Country Offices (CO), Regional Offices (RO) and Headquarters (HQ) to support the delivery of principled, timely, quality and child-centered humanitarian response in any crises with humanitarian consequences.

The Procedures include cross-sectoral Procedures (PME, RM, Com & Advocacy), New Humanitarian Commitments (Humanitarian Access, AAP, PSEA, Sector/Cluster coordination), Implementation Modalities (Partnerships, Direct Implementation, HCT, etc.), Operations (HR, Supply & Logistics, Security Risk Management, ICT, Admin & Finance). They define UNICEF’s risk appetite tied to Humanitarian Principles, International Humanitarian Law and the principle of do no harm. They highlight UNICEF‘s 'no regrets approach' throughout its humanitarian action and its organisation.

To ensure timely responses and improve efficiency and effectiveness, UNICEF staff and implementing partners - from field offices (FOs), country offices (COs), regional offices (ROs) to HQ - play a critical role. They are the first resource to deliver on UNICEF’s mandate. UNICEF staff - from Programme to Operation Officers - are playing a key role in establishing and sustaining principled emergency response, making UNICEF staff attitude and interpersonal skills critical.

Empowerment to bring better ownership in the emergency response, with transparency, and effective accountability is crucial. Enabling better coordination in response between actors, sharing lesson learned between UNICEF offices, and ensuring triangulation of information are part of the purpose for this position.

The roll-out of the Emergency Procedures (EPs) will be done in alignment with the roll-out of the CCCs. Both roll-outs build on each other resources, momentums and opportunities to optimize resources.

How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision of the Chief of the Humanitarian Field Support Section (HFSS) and in close coordination with the lead regional desk (TBC), the Emergency Specialist will work to strengthen emergency responses and capacities based on global, regional and country levels’ needs and systems to contribute to improve humanitarian action.

As part of the HFSS and under the guidance of the Section Chief, HFSS, the Emergency Specialist will facilitate the roll-out of the Emergency Procedures with HQ inter-divisional focal points, inter-agency partners, regional emergency staff and other field colleagues:

Coordination

• Support the Emergency Procedure focal point (lead Desk-HFSS) for UNICEF, in direct support to COs and ROs, and in coordination with HQ divisions.
• Collaborate with HQ divisions, ROs and COs and other relevant actors on the Emergency Procedures and related-issues.
• Coordinate with the CCCs and Humanitarian Review actions, updates and reporting.
• Provide briefings, data and analysis on the EPs to senior management.
• Participate in inter-divisional discussions related to emergency response to ensure the EPs and other policies, processes are all integrated and part of the same response as an organization.
• Support efforts and follow-ups related to the Humanitarian Review process.

Capacity development & staff empowerment

• Build a smart understanding of the EPs, and strong ownership from FOs, COs and ROs to HQ, which would contribute to empower UNICEF staff, and create a culture of accountability.
• Create and establish a pool of EPs facilitators including focal points in each regional desks
• Oversee and facilitate orientation sessions and refreshers based on COs’ needs with the participation of relevant Business Owners (BOs) (eg. L3 Scale up, L2 Emergency Responses).
• Support COs and ROs in capacity building efforts to promote the effective use of the EPs, including through supporting regional efforts, trainings and other targeted support.
• Facilitate training/sessions led by HQ divisions for implementing the Emergency Procedures with a focus on their area of expertise and for developing the operational guidance and training materials related to their specific area of expertise.
• Coordinate with BOs and others stakeholders when needed on follow-up issues, planning, monitoring, and troubleshooting related to the EPs.
• Provide technical assistance/orientation to ROs and COs on the implementation of the EPs/emergency response.
• Facilitate Humanitarian Leadership Workshops (HLW) and other initiatives, simulation/interaction exercises integrated with the CCCs.
• Lead the building of Agora training and simulation modules on the EPs.
• Explore the Technical Assistance Facility as an opportunity to share and leverage emergency expertise for and from COs.

Communication and Dissemination

• In coordination with the HFS Desks, support ROs for ensuring a broad dissemination of the EPs to COs through briefings and trainings, and for promoting the systematic use of the EPs by the COs.
• Communicate on the tools, resources, Agora training and simulation Modules on the EPs in the relevant fora.
• Coordinate the roll-out the External Engagenemnt Strategy with the relevant Divisions (DAPM, DGCA, PPD).

Knowledge Management

• Set an internal and external online environment to help support the EPs knowledge management, including editing/updating internal and external UNICEF’s pages/sites.
• Develop and update EPs guidance and resources, as needed.
• Be the custodian of the EPs SharePoint (collaborative site) and ensure it serves as the main information sharing platform internally.

Monitoring & Evaluation

• Support the regional desks in establishing a clear tracking and monitoring systems for the implementation of the EPs.
• Integrate a « feedback-loop » process/mechanism to identify key gaps and/or challenges in the implementation of the EPs (by both internal UNICEF and external partners).
• Mapping the COs with capacity gaps and providing targeted support to deliver on the EPs.
• Prepare the methodology of the Mid-Review of the implementation of the EPs (including tools such as evaluation criteria, data collection templates, interview questions, COs samples, etc.)
• Undertake the mid-review, including gathering monitoring checklists and undertaking survey at COs, ROs and HQ to collect data and feedback on the EPs and their implementation.
• Analyze the information gathered.
• Produce the final report and recommendations based on the Mid-Review to be factored in the annual review of the EPs.
• Share the final report of the Mid-Review and coordinate consultations to get the suggested changes to the EPs approved.
• Support the annual review of EPs and related guidance documents.
• Document good practices and lessons learned in implementing the EPs.
• Explore monitoring options of UNICEF performance against the Emergency Procedures (with DAPM).
• Explore the inclusion of performance indicators related to the CCCs and EPs in the appraisal system, according and as relevant to the context (with DHR and OED).

Any other task agreed upon with the Section Chief.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in one of the following fields: International Relations, Public Administration/Public Policy, Humanitarian Affairs, Development, Social Sciences, or related technical field. *A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
• A minimum of [5] five years of of progressively responsible professional work experience in humanitarian action is required.
• Complementary experience in international development is an advantage.
• Experience in emergency preparedness and response is highly desirable.
• Experience of work at national, regional and HQ level is an advantage.
• Experience in coordinating multi-stakeholder processes.
• Prior work experience with UNICEF.
• 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).

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

Core competencies skills

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

Functional Competencies

• Analyzing
• Deciding and initiating action
• Persuading and influencing
• Applying technical expertise
• Planning and organizing
• Adapting and Responding Change
• Coping with Pressure and Setbacks

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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 be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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:

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

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF EMOPS/New York is currently undergoing organizational changes; therefore, the exact location of the post has yet to be determined. Selected candidates may be required to commence duties remotely until the location is confirmed. If reassigned or relocated to New York, candidates may be expected to relocate to a new location again during the initial contract or assignment period.