Job Detail

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

UNICEF’s Office of Emergency Programs (EMOPS) which is located in New York and Geneva, is the focal point for emergency assistance, humanitarian policies, staff security and support to UNICEF offices in the field, as well as strategic coordination with external humanitarian partners both within and outside the United Nations system. EMOPS thus leads efforts to ensure that UNICEF’s role in complex emergencies and natural disasters is clearly defined, that the organization is properly equipped to fulfill that role, and that all levels of the organization are prepared to deliver our mandate. It aims to strengthen the ability of the organization to respond during times of humanitarian crisis.

The position is located in the Accountability to Affected Populations Unit in EMOPS Geneva, which is one of the three teams along with the Global Cluster Coordination Unit and the Inter-Agency and Humanitarian Partnership Section.

How can you make a difference?

Under the guidance of the Senior Adviser, Community Engagement and Accountability, EMOPS Geneva, the position will contribute to UNICEF’s commitments to scale up AAP in all its programmes. He/she will support the implementation of the AAP roadmap endorsed in May 2018 by Regional and HQ Directors, contributing to its four strategic objectives:

• UNICEF procedures and systems support people-centred approaches across all sectors


• All UNICEF programmes and are designed based on feedback from, and participation of affected people, alongside meeting recognized quality, technical and management standards


• UNICEF achieves an organizational culture whereby a people-centred approach becomes a fundamental part of our actions


• UNICEF AAP commitments relate to effective collective accountability mechanisms (including PSEA) in countries affected by crises

The Emergency Specialist, AAP will work in close cooperation with other members of the AAP Unit and with members of the AAP Working Group (composed of focal points in all Regional Offices and HQ Divisions). He/she will also work very closely with IASC partners involved in the AAP agenda

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

 

Scale up AAP globally including provision of country support

 

• Provide remote and in country support for the implementation of a comprehensive approach to AAP, including the establishment of complaint and feedback mechanisms which informs decision making, in alignment with interagency AAP efforts and with clear links with the Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.


• Lead the mainstreaming of AAP in the global programme planning procedures and guidance in close collaboration with the Division of Analysis, Planning and Monitoring, and support country offices in the implementation of such procedures and guidance.


• Monitor overall country offices’ accountability to affected populations’ performance, identify gaps and suggest solutions


• Take a leading role in the dissemination of the AAP guidance including through facilitation of webinars


• Participate in Emergency Management Team meetings to identify needs of technical support and ensure adequate follow up with Country Offices.


• Support UNICEF-led Clusters/Area of Responsibility of Education, WASH, Nutrition and Child Protection in mainstreaming AAP in their global strategies, trainings, and knowledge sharing as well as through dedicated technical support.

 Capacity building of UNICEF and partners at global, regional and country level

• Contribute to capacity building efforts around AAP, including preparing content and facilitating training at global, regional and country levels.


• Identify opportunities for collaboration with academic or training institutions at global and regional levels which can support our capacity building needs on AAP.


• Ensure participants from training activities are systematically included in global network of practitioners and provide them with necessary ongoing technical support.


• Collaborate with IASC members and UNICEF partners on joint AAP training activities to reduce transaction cost and strengthen system-wide approach to AAP.

Maintain good inter-agency collaboration

• Contribute to UNICEF’s efforts and commitments to establish a Common Service for Community Engagement and Accountability, in close cooperation with OCHA, the IFRC and CDAC Network.


• Maintain strong collaboration with a range of partners including NGOs, the IFRC, other UN agencies and well as other relevant entities (private sector, religious leaders’ groups, civil society networks) to promote accountability to affected population


• Provide advice and guidance to UNICEF partners on AAP approaches  


• Review country HNOs and HRPs, identify gaps in mainstreaming AAP, and make recommendations for mainstreaming AAP into the humanitarian programme cycle.

Evidence Generation, Innovation and knowledge management

• Ensure best AAP practices are identified and disseminated, with particular focus on our work with children.


• Identify and document innovative approaches in relation to the use of digital/social media platforms, including U-Report.


• Maintain regular interactions with other Divisions and Offices within UNICEF, particularly with those working on innovation, cash, migration, adolescent and youth engagement.

Other

• Performs any other duties and responsibilities appropriate to the purpose of this post, as assigned by the supervisor.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in the area of international development, humanitarian affairs, sociology, anthropology, social and behavior sciences or other related field is required.
  * Two (2) additional years of relevant and progressive experience may be considered in lieu of a master’s degree.


• A minimum of eight (8) years of relevant professional experience working on AAP/CCE interventions including at field level, in technical and or leadership role. Demonstrable experience in developing and implementing evidence-based community engagement strategies including in humanitarian contexts, complaints and feedback mechanisms (including technology-based).


• Experience in designing and facilitating participatory sensitization and capacity building sessions at different levels with diverse, multicultural teams.


• Experience in developing AAP approaches, previous experience working on inclusion of people living with disability, Child and youth participation is a key asset.


• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team in a challenging and highly demanding environment.


• Proven ability to conduct missions including to crises-affected countries


• Relevant experience in related areas in a UN agency or international organization is an asset.


• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.


• Fluency in English  (verbal and writing) is required. Strong working knowledge of another UN language would be an advantage

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The functional competencies required for this post are...

• Formulating strategies and concepts


• Relating and networking 


• Persuading and influencing 


• Learning and researching


• Planning and organizing

View our competency framework at

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 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.

Due to COVID19, office physical presence and travel restriction might be in place at the duty station. In this regard, it is expected that the selected incumbent will have the resources to work remotely as long as it is required.

Once COVID19 restrictions are lifted, it is expected that the incumbent will be physically present in the position duty station. Specific circumstances will be discussed during the recruitment process.

Please note that some entitlements related to relocation will be effective once the official travel to the duty station takes place.