L’UNICEF recherche un Spécialiste des urgences, Dakar, Sénégal

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, An advocate.

How can you make a difference?

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias, or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life in its social, political, economic, civic, and cultural dimensions her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education, and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens addressing inequity – not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. Therefore, the focus on equity is vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

Under the general supervision of the Regional Chief of Emergencies, and in close collaboration with the Regional Director WCARO, initiate and undertake risk analysis in respect of humanitarian emergencies in the Region and support WCAR country offices and WCARO in both preparedness planning and the design and implementation of emergency responses, the incumbent of the role will:

• Assist WCAR Country Office Representatives, Programme Coordinators and Operations Officers in the incorporation and strengthening of emergency responses and emergency preparedness programmes, projects, activities and related operational provisions in Country Programmes, including as part of Country Programme strategy notes, Country Programme Recommendations, Annual Management Plans, Annual and Mid-Term Reviews. Monitor the incorporation of preparedness elements, in country Programmes and Management Plans.
• In conjunction with country offices, support emergency response planning and implementation, and preparedness planning including through Emergency Preparedness Platform (EPP) checklists for operational and programmatic response in the event of emergency in high-risk WCAR countries, taking into account available resources, and including specific recommendations on actions to be taken by both offices and Regional Office. Support country offices in identifying funds to support emergency response and preparedness and develop proposals for regional level funds.
• Develop, coordinate, implement and monitor Regional Office emergency preparedness to enable it to provide timely and priority operational and programmatic support to country offices and countries affected by emergencies, and advise the Regional Director on such procedures. Provides support for staff training and national capacity building (governments, NGOs and other civil society groups) programmes through existing regional networks and interagency fora to strengthen programming skills to familiarize staff and other stakeholders with appropriate programmatic responses to emergency situations, including modes of interagency cooperation.
• Prepare detailed situation and risk analysis of trends on ongoing and possible emergencies in WCAR, providing advice and recommendations for preparedness and preventive action to the Regional Office, EMOPS and concerned country offices, as well as inputs to Regional Situation Analysis and reports.
• The staff member’s work will impact on decisions on which priority countries require emergency preparedness planning support due to likely outbreak of emergency conditions, and on operational and programmatic areas which require priority strengthening for emergency preparedness, response and recovery. These decisions will affect the degree of readiness and capacity of UNICEF to respond in an effective manner to emergencies at country and regional levels, and will also have impact on UNICEF Global preparedness to deal with emergencies in WCAR
• The staff member will make recommendations on priority emergency response and preparedness measures to be taken by UNICEF Representatives, Regional Director and EMPOS, NYHQ, in case of major outbreaks of conflict, epidemic or drought in WCAR; recommendations on priority response measures to be taken to protect, support and rehabilitate children and women in situations of conflict and other severe emergencies. These recommendations will have direct impact on the quality, timeliness and effectiveness of UNICEF efforts to save the lives and support the physical, social and psychological rehabilitation of children affected by emergencies.

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

• An Advanced University degree in one of the following fields: social sciences, public administration, law, public health, nutrition, international relations, business administration or other related disciplines. Preferably a combination of management, administration, and relevant technical fields.
• A minimum of eight (8) years of professional work experience with progressively greater management and / or advisory responsibilities in social planning, research, emergency and / or rehabilitation programmes at national and international levels.
• Two (2) additional years of relevant work experience and an undergraduate university degree in lieu of an advanced university degree may be considered.
• Relevant and direct field experience in emergency programme planning, management and/or evaluation is required.
• Experience in working with relevant UN or International NGOs with significant emphasis on analysis and advice on the needs of children and women affected by conflict is an asset.
• Experience with humanitarian cash transfer programming is an asset.
• Experience in risk-informed programming and humanitarian-development-peace nexus approaches is an asset.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English and French is required. Knowledge of another language used widely in the region is an asset.

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) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others (8) Nurtures, leads and manages people.

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.

Remarks:

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

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.