Chief, Global Cluster Coordination Section (GCCS), P-5, FTA, Office of Emergency Programmes (EMOPS) Geneva, Switzerland, #71802

Under the direction and guidance of the Deputy Director EMOPS Geneva, manages, develops, and coordinates UNICEF’s leadership of global Clusters/Areas of Responsibility (AoRs). Develops and supports strategies and activities aimed at enhancing UNICEF’s approach, performance and efficiency in leading clusters/AoR. Engages with inter-agency fora and external partners to represent UNICEF’s overall approach to Cluster/AoR leadership, mobilize resources and support the development and implementation of the cluster approach. Works closely with other sections in EMOPS, PPD, DHR, Supply Division, Division of Communication, Programme Group and Regional Offices to mobilize support and mainstreaming of activities as defined in the UNICEF accountability framework, CCC’s and IASC. Support the Deputy Director of EMOPS in further strengthening the coordination function and ensuring that UNICEF is fit for purpose to deliver an effective response, including promoting and supporting management coordination both internally (i.e, GMTs, RMTs) and at the inter-agency level.

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, Protection

Under the direction and guidance of the Deputy Director EMOPS Geneva, manages, develops, and coordinates UNICEF’s leadership of global Clusters/Areas of Responsibility (AoRs). Develops and supports strategies and activities aimed at enhancing UNICEF’s approach, performance and efficiency in leading clusters/AoR. Engages with inter-agency fora and external partners to represent UNICEF’s overall approach to Cluster/AoR leadership, mobilize resources and support the development and implementation of the cluster approach. Works closely with other sections in EMOPS, PPD, DHR, Supply Division, Division of Communication, Programme Group and Regional Offices to mobilize support and mainstreaming of activities as defined in the UNICEF accountability framework, CCC’s and IASC. Support the Deputy Director of EMOPS in further strengthening the coordination function and ensuring that UNICEF is fit for purpose to deliver an effective response, including promoting and supporting management coordination both internally (i.e, GMTs, RMTs) and at the inter-agency level.

How can you make a difference? 

Under the direction and guidance of EMOPS Deputy Director, the Chief, Global Cluster Coordination Section is responsible to:

1. Provide overall leadership in the formulation of Inter Cluster/AoR Strategies, vision, goals and pertinent policies, and coordination and monitoring mechanisms for enhancing predictability and effective humanitarian coordination.
2. Lead organizational reform on cluster/AoR transitions and facilitate UNICEF-wide planning that enhances linkages between humanitarian and development work during the emergency phase during the preparedness and recovery phases.
3. Support the Deputy Director EMOPS Geneva in the day to day management of cluster/AoR issues; manage the UNICEF led and co-led Cluster and AoR Coordinators and staff in the Inter Cluster  team.
4. Support mainstreaming of cluster functions within UNICEF. This entails effective advocacy within the various levels of the organization including advocacy to COs to encourage UNICEF Section Chiefs and PME Chiefs to take on humanitarian coordination leadership and responsibilities.
5. Lead fundraising efforts for humanitarian coordination, including systematic support to leverage internal and external support for the UNICEF led clusters in order to mobilize sufficient resources, including internally allocated resource for sector/cluster coordination roles across all sectors UNICEF leads or co-leads.
6. Support and coordinate the development of proposals and other programme documentation and the preparation of progress reports. Coordinate and mainstream processes for proposals, reports and other programme documentation development and maintain quality.
7. Monitor the implementation and effectiveness of work plans and strategies of UNICEF-led clusters/AoRs; identify lessons and innovative approaches, providing substantive updates to EMOPS management making recommendations and supporting initiatives to improve approaches. Support evaluations and lessons learned exercises as required and the implementation of agreed recommendations.
8. Lead the discussions on organizational reform, such as cluster transitions and facilitate and promote UNICEF wide discussions that enhances linkage between humanitarian and development work during preparedness, the emergency and recovery phases.
9. Play a leadership role in presenting UNICEF’s cluster lead agency responsibilities in relation to the leadership of Clusters/AoRs, and identify common priorities, opportunities and bottlenecks in relation to the implementation of the various cluster strategies.
10. Ensure that funding, budget, management, reporting in the Global Cluster Coordination Unit are managed effectively, with clear accountabilities identified within the UNCEF led clusters.
11. Facilitate coordinated support from Global Cluster/AoR Coordinators to countries/regions in crisis by working closely with the respective cluster/AoR and within EMOPS, Regional and Country Offices, and other sections/divisions in UNICEF.
12. Develop, coordinate and promote strategies and activities for the increased leadership and accountability for clusters/AoR within senior management at all levels.
13. Harmonize approaches for planning, IM and reporting amongst the UNICEF led cluster and manage communication between the UNICEF led clusters/AoRs, CO, RO, HQ and within the IASC.
14. Represents and coordinates joint UNICEF cluster/AoR activities at external and internal fora.
15. Enabling holistic approaches to advance policy commitments on localization, AAP, GBV, disability inclusion and humanitarian cash transfers.

KEY END-RESULTS

1. Responsibilities and activities related to UNICEF’s Cluster/AoR leadership are effectively coordinated and activities harmonized through the development of integrated strategies, work plans, proposals, policies related to Cluster/AoR leadership.
2. Cost effective and efficient structures for sharing and maximizing use of resources including work processes are in place to ensure accountability and efficiency in relation to cluster/AoR leadership.
3. Effective management and planning tools, procedures and policies are utilized to develop UNICEF’s leadership of Clusters/AoRs.
4. Effective communication and training materials are in place to strengthen understanding of the cluster approach within UNICEF and with external partners.
5. Cluster/AoR activities are effectively represented in external fora and coordinated internally.
6. Leadership of Cluster/AoR within UNICEF at HQ, RO and CO levels are maintained and strengthened.
7. UNICEF senior management at the Country Office level, including Representatives, Deputy Reps, Section Chiefs and Chief of PME are increasingly involved and accountable for humanitarian coordination
8. Cluster/AoR activities are effectively monitored and strategies/activities to improve efficiency and cost effectiveness introduced.
9. Humanitarian Coordination is central to UNICEF program delivery models across regular and emergency workstreams
10. UNICEF global clusters foster a more enabling environment for locally led humanitarian response, increasing participation, representation, and leadership of local and national actors in IASC humanitarian coordination mechanisms.

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

The following minimum requirements:

• Education: An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in social sciences, humanities, public administration, or related area, from a recognized tertiary education institution.
• Work Experience: A minimum of 10 (ten) years of relevant professional experience in international affairs, ideally with the United Nations system or NGOs.
• Language Requirements:  Fluency in English is required.

The following desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.
• Experience in humanitarian response/recovery, cluster approach preferred.
• Experience in coordinating/managing multiple UNICEF sectors highly desirable.
• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is desirable.

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…

(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 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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, 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 deliver the best results for children. 

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.

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.

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

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.