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, Hope

Under the Office of Emergency Programmes (EMOPS), the Humanitarian Field Support Section (HFSS) aims to provide a ‘one-stop-shop” approach to coherent field support in humanitarian crises, in addition to strengthening the UNICEF’s field capacity on emergency preparedness and risk monitoring, as well as on early recovery programming, humanitarian advocacy, and engagement with integrated missions and presences. The team will not only be instrumental in providing support to the field on principled humanitarian action and a strengthened integration of the protection of children dimension in our engagement but will also strive to focus on the quality of the response in close collaboration with key other EMOPS sections. The team is also instrumental in providing briefings, data, and analysis to UNICEF senior leaders across the organization to inform their decision-making on behalf of strengthened UNICEF’s action for children in humanitarian contexts. The section coordinates closely with all other EMOPS Sections, Programme Group, and other HQ Divisions. HFSS provides effective and timely communication lines and support between EMOPS, Regional Offices (ROs) and Country Offices (COs) and day-to-day coordination and oversight of headquarters’ support to country offices (technical guidance and engagement, humanitarian financing management of the Emergency Programme Fund (EPF) and Central Emergency Respond Fund (CERF), inter-agency collaboration, direct guidance on global approaches on country-specific crises, etc). The Section supports the EMOPS Director’s Office and OED with timely updates and analyses on humanitarian crises to inform decision-making. It coordinates the deployment of the Emergency Response Team.

How can you make a difference?

Purpose for the job

The JPO will support HFSS’s ability to ensure that COs and ROs are properly equipped and prepared to deliver UNICEF’s mandate in emergencies, undertaking activities to realize the Core Commitments for Children in humanitarian action (CCCs) in sudden-onset emergencies as well as in chronic and protracted crises and fragile situations, as well as reducing risks, building resilience and contributing to peacebuilding through regular development program in an integrated manner and as part of the overall approach to humanitarian action.

Key functions and accountabilities:

1. Support analysis and review of emergency response and preparedness
2. Support coordination of HQ support to countries
3. Monitor emerging humanitarian risks and strategies
4. Support UNICEF participation in key inter-agency activities

1.   Support analysis and review of emergency response and preparedness

• Support the analysis and review of emergency preparedness and response in the defined allocation of regions and/or countries, supporting UNICEF responses in complex emergencies and natural disasters, including the mainstreaming of early recovery approaches, and supporting UNICEF engagement with integrated UN presences

2.   Support coordination of HQ support to countries, including through emergency response deployment

• Support the coordination of HQ support to these countries, maintaining close contact with the country and regional offices on all programmatic and operational matters relating to the emergencies, to ensure the quality and timeliness of our collective response (notably for L3 emergencies).
• Support to prepare for and mobilize immediate response to new or suddenly deteriorating humanitarian situations, including through deployment to affected county offices (under the supervision of the Emergency Response Team Coordinator) or remote support. This will be done in consultation with Regional and Country Offices.

3.   Support in the monitoring of emerging humanitarian risks and strategies

• Through UNICEF’s Emergency Operations Center (OPSCEN) and other EMOPSs sections, in close contact with CO, RO and sister UN agencies, support in the monitoring emerging humanitarian risks and strategies for preparedness and risk reduction before a new crisis occurs and best approaches for UNICEF to engage in early recovery and transition processes.

4.   Support UNICEF participation in key inter-agency activities

• Support and/or ensure UNICEF representation and advocacy in key inter-agency activities related to emergency response, crisis management, and integrated assessment and planning, as well as in external events/conferences. Support in keeping close contact with counterparts in UN sister agencies. Support management engagement with high-level mechanisms such as Emergency Directors, Integrated Task Forces, Inter-Agency Task Forces, Executive Committees, and other crisis-management mechanisms; as well as with donors and member States (with key advocacy messages).

Training component and learning elements

• Participation in a one-week JPO induction programme in New York
• Participation in the mentoring, coaching and career counselling and career transition programmes

In addition, the JPO will benefit from the following specific learning opportunities in the receiving office:

• Opportunities to participate in the “young UNICEF “and other young professional development and network opportunities.
• Direct learning and professional exposure to the UNICEF humanitarian action encompassing preparedness, response, post-crisis recovery and integrated planning.
• Opportunities for capacity building around core humanitarian skills (preparedness, analysis, planning, reporting etc.) across multiple emergencies and country settings.
• Field missions to provide support to country offices with their emergency portfolio (during and after the second year).
• Stretch assignments/staff exchanges within the region to build specific capacities (during and after the second year).
• Mandatory courses and emergency related courses on Agora.

JPO Programme Offerings:

• Use of yearly JPO training funds for internal/external training opportunities
• One-week orientation in New York
• Career Coaching
• Mentoring and Buddy Programme
• Stretch assignments

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

• A university degree in one of the following fields is required: International Relations, Public Administration/Public Policy, Humanitarian Affairs, Development, Social Sciences, or a related technical field.
• An advanced university degree in above areas is highly desirable.
• A minimum of two years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required in: post-crisis recovery, complex emergencies, humanitarian response.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization or a large NGO or INGO is considered as an asset.
• Fluency in English and another UN language (Arabic, French, or Spanish) is required.

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

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness, (2) Works Collaboratively with others, (3) Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2) Innovates and Embraces Change, (4) Thinks and Acts Strategically, (5) Drives to achieve impactful results, (6) Manages ambiguity and complexity.

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

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 benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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 promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, 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.

General requirements for the JPO Programme of the Republic of Korea

• Korean citizenship.
• Fluency in Korean and English language.
• Completed university degree with a minimum Bachelor’s degree.
• A certificate of English language proficiency. Applicants should score a minimum of (1) TOEFL iBT 100 or (2) TEPS 430 or (3) IELTS 7 or (4) TOEIC 900.

* Note: TOEFL ‘MyBest Scores’ are not accepted, and test scores are valid for 2 years after the test date.

• Be no older than 32 years of age as of 31 December 2023 (born after 1 January 1991). The maximum age limit for those who served in the military will be extended accordingly: one year will be extended for those who served for less than one year; two years will be extended for those who served for more than one year and less than two years; three years will be extended for those who served for two years or more.
• Male applicants shall have completed the Korean military service or be exempted from it. Those who will be discharged from military service in the year of the application may also apply.
• Applicants can apply for a maximum of two JPO positions sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea during the year of application.

How to apply

• Applicants should submit their application electronically directly to the Organization. All documents should be in English.
• Candidates for this position must apply online via UNICEF’s Talent Management System portal link:   http://jobs.unicef.org/cw/en-us/job/564391
• Applications must be received no later than FRIDAY, 8 SEPTEMBER 2023 AT 11:59 PM KST.
• Applications received after this date will not be considered. Applicants will receive a confirmation of receipt.
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted thereafter.
• Please note that applicants can apply for a maximum of two JPO positions sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea during the year of application.

Required application documents (only complete applications will be considered)

• A completed application and motivation letter through the talent management system.
• A scanned copy of applicant’s Resident Register.
• A copy of (bachelor's or advanced) university degree.
• A certificate of English language proficiency (TOEFL ‘MyBest Scores’ are not accepted).
• Only for male applicants who have completed the national military service): A certificate of Korean Military Service. The maximum age limit for those who served in the military will be extended in accordance with the Support for Discharged Soldiers Act and the military service law.
• Only for low-income applicants: A scanned copy of applicant’s certificate of National Basic.
• Livelihood Security Recipients issued in Korean and its unofficial English translation.
• Only for applicants with disability: A scanned copy of applicant’s certificate of person with disability issued in Korean and English.

Remarks

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. 

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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 are also 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.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

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