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, dedication.
The Deputy Representative (DR) reports to the Country Office (CO) Representative for general supervision and direction. The DR serves as principal support and adviser on the overall management of the CO, development of CO policies and strategies; and under delegated authority, for coordinating and managing all phases of the Country Office Program from formulation to delivery of results in accordance with the UNICEF Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework, ethics and integrity. The DR advocates the office culture change to create and retain a work environment based on UNICEF values and competencies as well as matrix management structures based on cross-silo collaboration and knowledge sharing.
How can you make a difference?
The Deputy Representative’s key functions and accountabilities include:
• Developing and planning the Country Program
• Support to the Representative on managing the CO
• Monitoring and quality control of the Country Program
• Representation, alliance building and UN System coordination
• Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
• An Advanced University Degree in social sciences, international relations, government and public relations, public or social policy, sociology, social or community development or other related fields, is required.
• A minimum of 13 years of professional development experience that combines intellectual and managerial leadership in development cooperation at the international level, some of which served in developing countries is required. Relevant professional experience in any UN system agency or organization is an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.
Person Profile:
• Excellent managerial and people skills with demonstrated capacity to lead, empower and motivate a
large team of programme professionals in the direction of better results for children and quality
control of programmes and to nurture teams with conviction of wellbeing, safety and health of all
personnel as a priority concern.
• Current knowledge of development issues, policies as well as social programming policies and
procedures in international development cooperation.
• Proven ability to conceptualize, innovate, plan and execute ideas as well as to transfer knowledge and
skills.
• Demonstrated leadership and organizational ability, including in insecure environments.
• Good knowledge of technical cooperation programmes, programme administration, and project
management in a UN context.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective
working relationships, both within and outside the organization.
• Good negotiation skills, maturity and sensitivity to handle difficult stakeholders in a highly complex
environment.
• Good representation skills and expertise to deploy public relations and enhance UNICEF’s image in
the public and with government and donors.
• Good understanding of financial rules and regulations, risk management and fund raising strategies.
• Capacity to work under pressure in difficult security situation and in a rapidly changing environment.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
Country Typology:
• Country income level: lower middle income country
• Duty Station: Islamabad, Pakistan is a “C” family Duty Station offering recreational and cultural
options, open spaces and restaurants. However, some domestic travel requires permission by the host
government authorities.
• Office size: The office currently has 352 staff members (not including other personnel like UNVs,
consultants, etc.) with a total budget of about US$ 730 million for the Government – UNICEF
Programme of Cooperation 2023 – 2027.
• Annual budget: US$ 183 million (US$ 38 million RR and about US$ 145 million OR)
• Good for 1st time Rep: No
• Schooling: Islamabad offers a number of school, incl. international school options for all grade levels.
• Other: At times the city suffers from relatively high levels of environmental pollution that can be
challenging for persons with underlying conditions such as asthma etc. – the office provides air
purifiers for the office and staff homes to mitigate this impact.
Brief country context:
• Lower Middle Income Country with a population of over 240 million, largely populated with middle
and lower class families with a median age of 20.2. While the country has made remarkable progress
in political and policy domains in last few years, more than 50 million are malnourished, inflation and food insecurity driving individuals and groups into poverty.
• 80 million children and adolescents under the age of 18 need investment for their education, security and health. The country has experienced frequent overlapping disasters in past five years, some of massive scale which has displaced more than two million people. Terrorism and war in neighboring Afghanistan have adversely impacted Pakistani development effects and severely undermined the country’s security situation.
• Need concrete measures to improve security situation.
• Priority development imperatives include need for inclusive growth, meeting the challenge of rapid/unplanned urbanization, mitigating the adverse effects of manmade and natural crises by strengthening capacities to better prepare and respond to disasters.
• “Delivering as one” (one UN) initiative being implemented for harmonization with other UN.
• Polio remains endemic in two countries – Afghanistan and Pakistan.
• The Covid-19 crisis has deteriorated development challenges in Pakistan.
For every child, you demonstrate…
Core Values
• Commitment
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability
• Sustainability
Competencies
• 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
• Nurtures, leads and manages people
To view our competency framework, please visit here.
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This position is classified as “rotational” which means the incumbent is expected to rotate to another duty station upon completion of their tour of duty.
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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
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 may also be 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.