UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, Peace

The humanitarian situation in Syria remains dire, especially for children. After more than fourteen years of conflict, around 7.5 million children are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. The prolonged conflict has led to repeated mass displacement, with many families living in overcrowded and unsafe conditions. The economic crisis has exacerbated the situation, pushing more families into poverty and increasing the reliance on negative coping mechanisms such as child labour and early marriage. Additionally, the destruction of infrastructure, including schools and hospitals, has severely limited access to essential services, leaving many children without education and adequate healthcare.

Following the collapse of the Syrian government on December 8, the country has experienced a mix of optimism and disorder. It is now grappling with unstable security, an escalating humanitarian crisis, and widespread displacement. Amid this uncertainty, the situation in Syria remains fluid, with considerable impacts on the population. The humanitarian situation remains dire across Syria, with significant challenges in access to health, education, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), and other services. UNICEF’s Syria Country Office has been at the forefront of the humanitarian response, providing a range of services for women and children and has concrete plans to scale up its response further in the coming months. For information of the work of our organization, please visit our website:  UNICEF Syrian Arab Republic

How can you make a difference?

Under the guidance and supervision of the Chief of Field Office, the Emergency Specialist establishes and implements field office emergency preparedness and response. The incumbent will be responsible for the development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the emergency interventions to ensure the survival and well-being of children and mothers, and the affected communities in an emergency situation. He/She will also oversee and strengthen the overall coordination structure of UNICEF led sectors, in close collaboration with UNICEF technical sections, coordination support staff and information management officers.

KEY END-RESULTS

1. Emergency preparedness is effectively arranged together with establishment of field and country contingency plans and early warning mechanisms.

2. Emergency preparedness and response plans addresses gender issues that may be expected to intensify during emergencies.

3. Emergency plans of action are developed, and compliance and coordination of all sectors with the plans are implemented.

4. Technical advice on emergencies and programme management related to implementation of emergency preparedness measures are effectively provided.

5. Emergency preparedness and response, and a consistent flow of information of the humanitarian situation are effectively coordinated within the office.

6. Substantive improvements are made in the emergency preparedness and response capability of UNICEF staff and implementing partners through conduct of effective training activities.

7. In the event of an emergency, UNICEF’s presence is promptly established and the initial emergency operational tasks are effectively executed, including provision of support for information communication technology, telecommunications facility and all staff security related assistance in the field office.

8. Needs assessment is effectively conducted to determine priorities and an appropriate intervention by UNICEF based on the local emergency situation affecting children, their families and community.

9. Timely delivery of assistance and supplies is provided, urgent staffing requirements are identified, and the appropriate use of UNICEF resources is monitored for effective project delivery.

10. Emergency appeals and project proposals are prepared, and concerted efforts are put forward to mobilize donor response and recovery/rehabilitation-related funding.

11. Longer-term requirements of the emergency operation/interventions are determined to build a regular operational and staffing structure.

12. Continuous, effective and strategic sector coordination, communication, consultation and liaison are maintained with Government, UN agencies, NGOs, donors and allies in support of the special needs of children and women affected by emergency situations within the framework of the cluster approach and based on the Core Commitment for Children.

13. Management is kept informed of humanitarian developments in relevant policies, situation developments, potential threats and opportunities/issues in NES.

14. Emergency preparedness and response strategies are mainstreamed in the field and country office’s workplans. Sectoral input is provided for all related documents for the office’s Emergency Preparedness and Response, as well as for the Situation Analysis and the Country Programme Document.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Emergency Specialist Level 3.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education:Advanced University degree in one of the following fields: social sciences, public administration, international law, public health, nutrition, international relations, business administration or other related disciplines. Preferably a combination of management, administration, and relevant technical fields.

• Work Experience:Five years of progressively responsible professional work experience at the national and international levels in programme/project development, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and administration.

  Developing country work experience.

  Specialized training/experience in emergency response management highly desirable.

• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Arabic is an asset.

•  Technical Knowledge:

 a) Specific Technical Knowledge

• UNICEF policies and strategy to address on national and international emergency issues, particularly relating to conflicts, natural disasters, and recovery.

• Knowledge of global humanitarian issues, specifically relating to children and women, and the current UNCEF position and approaches.

• Knowledge of UN humanitarian reform principles, international humanitarian laws.

• Knowledge of the principle of gender parity and equality.

b) Common Technical Knowledge

• The UNICEF mission statement; UNICEF Board policy papers and decisions.

• The Core Commitments for Children in Emergencies.

• The Convention on the Rights of the Child; Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination against Women.

• EMOPS Technical Notes, EMOPS Emergency Field Book.

• UNICEF Program Manuals, policy guidelines, ExDirs, PROs; Country Programme documentation.

• UNICEF personnel, financial, supply and administrative rules, regulations and manuals.

• National development plans and policies; Guidelines and manuals from NGO/donor

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

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.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: UNICEF Competency Framework.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.
UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to delivering the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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.
UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information

Eligible staff members on fixed-term, continuing or permanent contracts applying to IP TA positions in a duty station designated as L2/L3, may be able to retain a lien and their fixed-term entitlements, subject to approval by their Head of Office. The conditions of the temporary assignment will vary depending on the status of their post and relocation entitlements may be limited as per the relevant policies.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the
corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.