Emergency Specialist (Desk Officer), P-4, EMOPS NYHQ

Under the guidance of the Chief, Humanitarian Field Support Section, serve as focal point for the overall coordination of emergency interventions in a defined allocation of countries.

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

The five outcomes of EMOPS’ work, to which the Humanitarian Field Support team and the position contribute include: humanitarian access, principled humanitarian assistance and protection for children; risk analysis and monitoring, preparedness and response; strategic alliances and partnerships; safety and security of programmes and staff; and humanitarian coordination. These outcomes and their associated outputs address challenges which EMOPS has identified as key priorities in an increasingly demanding and varied global humanitarian landscape. These five EMOPS outcomes contribute to achieving the UNICEF Strategic Plan results, as specified within each outcome below. More specifically, the emergency specialist will contribute to supporting UNICEF to be properly equipped to continue to deliver a high quality, timely and effective response. Responding to a greater number and variety of crises requires stronger preparedness throughout the organization, more targeted approaches to varying types of crises, and enhanced staff capacities.

How can you make a difference?

Under the guidance of the Chief, Humanitarian Field Support Section, serve as focal point for the overall coordination of emergency interventions in a defined allocation of countries.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Serve as focal point for the analysis and review of emergency responses in an allocation of regions, supporting UNICEF’s HQ support to preparedness and humanitarian response to complex emergencies, including natural disasters, conflicts, health emergencies, etc. Keep supervisor informed of all critical situations and decisions for action.

2. When complex emergency countries enter into periods of peak crisis, assist supervisor to coordinate HQ colleagues, maintaining close contact with country office on all matters of security, operations, and programmes.

3. With OPSCEN, PD, PPD, other HQ Divisions and sister UN agencies, monitor potential non-emergency countries in assigned regions and maintain contact with countries at critical stages identifying strategies for preparedness before a crisis occurs. Conduct mission to potential emergencies when requested.

4. Prepare regular updates on the situation in all complex emergencies in assigned countries for the Executive Director, Senior Staff and other Divisions in a timely and accurate manner.

5. In cooperation with all key HQ Divisions (PPD, PFP, PD, etc.), provide guidance and coordinate the preparation and review of emergency appeals as part of the inter-agency consolidated appeal process and related resource mobilization documents (including EPF, CERF and others).

6. Assist Regional Offices in supporting COs in critical phases of the emergency through mission travel, as well as when need arise.

7. Participate in the preparation of all emergency programme reports in the area of responsibility for the Executive Board, donors and annual reports.

8. Serve as back-up to Supervisor and other Emergency Specialists in his/her absence.

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

• Education: Advanced university degree in social sciences, international health/development or related technical field relevant to UNICEF programmes. Training in emergency response desirable.
• Work Experience: At least eight years of progressively responsible work experience at the International level in developing countries is required Knowledge and field experience of UNICEF programmes and prior emergency response experience with UNICEF especially in complex humanitarian environment is required.
• Language Proficiency: Fluency in English and Spanish is required. Working knowledge of other UN languages is a strong asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

The competencies required for this post are:

* Leading and Supervising II * Analyzing II * Deciding and Initiating Action III * Persuading and Influencing III * Applying Technical Expertise III * Planning and Organizing II * Adapting and Responding to Change III * Coping with Pressure and Setbacks.

View our competency framework at: http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

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.

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.