UNICEF is seeking highly talented and experienced professionals to join our Leadership Talent Group (LTG). We are looking for individuals with a passion for making a difference in children's lives and outstanding leadership abilities, passion, commitment, people management skills, creativity, and drive to deliver top-notch results in line with UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework, ethics and integrity. We are looking for the future generation of leadership, who can create an impact in the lives of all children through programmatic partnerships with governments, other UN and bilateral agencies, civil society, and the private sector. If you possess these qualities, we encourage you to explore this exceptional opportunity to join UNICEF's Leadership Talent Group.

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 

UNICEF is seeking highly talented and experienced professionals to join our Leadership Talent Group (LTG). We are looking for individuals with a passion for making a difference in children's lives and outstanding leadership abilities, passion, commitment, people management skills, creativity, and drive to deliver top-notch results in line with UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework, ethics and integrity.

We are looking for the future generation of leadership, who can create an impact in the lives of all children through programmatic partnerships with governments, other UN and bilateral agencies, civil society, and the private sector. If you possess these qualities, we encourage you to explore this exceptional opportunity to join UNICEF's Leadership Talent Group.

The LTG is a strong pool of vetted candidates, vying for key international posts, such as:

  • Representatives at P-5 and D-1 levels
  • HQ Associate, Deputy Directors at D-1 level
  • Technical positions at D-1 level

Selected applicants will undergo a comprehensive assessment process through the newly established UNICEF Assessment Center. While membership of the LTG allows for a direct selection for leadership roles, it does not guarantee automatic appointment to such posts. Successful LTG members are expected to serve in various functions and locations, including hardship and non-family duty stations.

Qualifications:

  • Advanced university degree in Social Sciences, International Relations, Governance, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or other relevant disciplines. 
  • A minimum of ten (10) years of relevant professional experience that combines intellectual and managerial leadership in development cooperation at the international level, five (5) of which in leadership and managerial roles, and some of which served in developing countries is required.
  • Relevant professional experience in any UN system agency or organization is required.
  • Fluency in English is required. Additional proficiency in another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or Portuguese is considered highly advantageous.   

Person profile:

  • Exceptional leadership and management style that engages and motivates staff and fosters harmonious and productive workplace environment.
  • Adaptability, flexibility and agility to effectively navigate through uncertainties, crises, and emergencies.
  • The ability to carry out effective decision-making, demonstrating strategic thinking, and the ability to navigate complex situations.
  • Experience in programme/project management and building strategic alliances and partnerships/resource mobilization.
  • International and developing country work experience and field work experience. Experience in cross-regional contexts, including HQ and field is an asset.
  • Background/familiarity with emergency and humanitarian action context. Longer serving experience in emergency context is an asset.
  • Expert knowledge of advanced concepts in primary discipline, with a broad knowledge of related disciplines, in-depth knowledge of relevant organizational policies and procedures. 
  • Strong background in development, both upstream and at community level, with knowledge of a broad range of children's issues to lead and guide UNICEF's up-stream programmatic engagement. 
  • Ability to contribute in organizational and institutional initiatives to strengthen UN coherence and promote joint programme approaches. 
  • Experience and skills in strategic management, advocacy and public sector capacity development. 
  • Proven experience in building strategic alliances and partnerships leveraging the larger resources of development partners. 
  • Experience leading private sector fundraising and partnerships.
  • Experience cultivating relationships with private sector partners and donors.

For every child, you demonstrate… 

Core Values 

  • Care 
  • Respect 
  • Integrity 
  • Trust  
  • Accountability 
  • Sustainability  

Competencies 

  • 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  
  • Nurtures, leads and manages people  

To view our competency framework, please visit here.  

Remarks:

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. 

Senior leadership positions have been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is either: a role with direct contact with children, works directly with child, is a safeguarding response role or has been assessed as an elevated risk role for child safeguarding. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) applies. 

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. 

At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.