Senior Adviser (Urbanization and Population), P-5, DRP - New York Headquarters, USA, #99861

As the Senior Adviser on Urbanization and Population, you will support the Chief, Sustainability and Policy Action Unit in providing global strategy, policy, advocacy, coordination and engagement. You will also provide technical support to Country and Regional Offices in these areas. As the lead expert you will enable UNICEF to better advocate for and represent the rights of urban children, particularly the most disadvantaged and marginalized, at the global, regional and national levels, including high-income countries alongside UNICEF’s National Committees. You may also be called on to be part of surge and other emergency staffing procedures in times of large sudden onset migration flows and urban humanitarian crises.

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children's rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world.

For every child, a fair chance…

As the urban population grows rapidly, it is clear that the increasing urban poor and marginalized children are among the most disadvantaged. It is also equally true that many of these children are or were migrants, part of demographic transition. In light of the global demographic transition for the world's children, there is an urgent need to integrate the work on urbanization and population. Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals present a unique opportunity for UNICEF to work towards a better understanding of these often interrelated processes, and to formulate strategies that promote and uphold the rights of children who are most vulnerable in urban cities.

The Policy, Strategy and Networks (PSN) section is located within the Division of Data, Research and Policy (DRP). The Senior Adviser of Urbanization and Population will lead a team located in the Sustainability and Policy Action (SPA) Unit of PSN. The team supports UNICEF's global policy, planning, finance and engagement work on urbanization, migration and displacement and provides technical support to field offices.

For more information on UNICEF’s data on child migration, visit: https://data.unicef.org/topic/child-migration-and-displacement/ 

How can you make a difference? 

As the Senior Adviser on Urbanization and Population, you will support the Chief, Sustainability and Policy Action Unit in providing global strategy, policy, advocacy, coordination and engagement. You will also provide technical support to Country and Regional Offices in these areas. As the lead expert you will enable UNICEF to better advocate for and represent the rights of urban children, particularly the most disadvantaged and marginalized, at the global, regional and national levels, including high-income countries alongside UNICEF’s National Committees. You may also be called on to be part of surge and other emergency staffing procedures in times of large sudden onset migration flows and urban humanitarian crises.

You will work to achieve the results outlined in the annual Sustainability and Policy Action Unit work plan, and will be responsible specifically for the achievement of the goals and targets related to urbanization and population. This will involve:

1. Leading coordinated global approaches to policy, advocacy and engagement on urbanization and population issues.
2. Strengthening technical assistance on urbanization and population issues to field offices.
3. Developing tools and guidance on urbanization and population issues.
4. Strengthening knowledge and evidence base on urbanization and population issues
5. Developing UNICEF policy and positioning on issues related to urbanization, and population.
6. Identifying and recommending organizational positions on emerging trends on topics related to urbanization, migration, displacement, and other demographic shifts.

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

• An advanced university degree (Masters or higher) in the social Sciences (i.e. sociology, demography, psychology, political science, social policy or economics), preferably urban planning, with a focus on demography or population movements. Academic credentials in urban planning is a plus.
• A minimum ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience, of which at least 4-6 years demonstrated track record of successfully developing, formulating and implementing strategies and responses in contemporary urban and population work and public policy design and engagement at global and national levels.
• Work experience in a development or humanitarian setting including field experience.

Preferably, you will also have…

• Proven experience in urban analysis and planning and/or migration and demography in high-level organizations. In-country experience in these areas is a desirable asset.
• Excellent analytical, advocacy and presentational skills an asset.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including ability to write succinctly and clearly.
• Fluency and very good writing skills in English are required. Knowledge of an additional UN Language (French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, and Spanish) or a local language is considered an asset. 

For every child, you demonstrate…

Our core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

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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 (5 years for New York, Headquarters)

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.