Executive Manager (P4), Fixed Term, Division of Human Resources (DHR), New York, USA

The Executive Manager plays a pivotal role in supporting the supervisor and directors’ (as assigned) to develop and coordinate strategic direction matters, as they pertain to all aspects of the Division of Human Resources (DHR’s) work. This includes the strategic coordination of key DHR initiatives/projects through an essential liaison between senior stakeholders and maintaining effective linkages with other relevant functional units both in UNICEF and externally, advising on critical and sensitive matters, and on the Division’s internal/external communication strategies. As a core member of the divisional management team the Executive Manager works in full coordination with teams within and outside the division.

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, Resilience! 

How can you make a difference? 

The Executive Manager will be working under the guidance of the Director DHR and plays a pivotal role in supporting the supervisor and directors’ (as assigned) to develop and coordinate strategic direction matters, as they pertain to all aspects of DHR’s work. This includes the strategic coordination of key DHR initiatives/projects through an essential liaison between senior stakeholders and maintaining effective linkages with other relevant functional units both in UNICEF and externally, advising on critical and sensitive matters, and on the Division’s internal/external communication strategies. As a core member of the divisional management team the Executive Manager works in full coordination with teams within and outside the division.

• Support the supervisor and the office management in setting and perusing key strategic objectives.
• Support the management in effective work planning, prioritizing, and coordinating and monitoring of key divisional initiatives/projects in line with these objectives, and in communicating strategic priorities to the office’s internal and external counterparts at all levels.
• Analytically review information received by the supervisor and the management and identify priority matters that need to be urgently addressed, advising on action as appropriate.
• Manage the flow of information to the supervisor and ensure that appropriate action is taken by responsible section/division/office heads on matters brought to the attention of the supervisor.
• Collaborates with project leads and contribute to DHR change communication. Works closely with the communication team on developing and implementing the division’s communication strategies.
• Assist with the crafting of strategic and guidance documents, policy statements, briefing notes, and speeches for delivery by the supervisor, and initiate, edit, consolidate content, and finalize drafts prepared by DHR units and other offices across UNICEF.
• Collaborates with Directors activities related to changes in strategies, processes and policy formulation and procedures, preparing background and position papers for the supervisor’s consideration in cooperation with relevant offices and sections.
• Assist in planning and managing the supervisor’s missions, accompanying the supervisor when required, ensuring the maximum effectiveness of the mission and ensuring that all necessary follow-up action is taken and reported back.
• Follow-up on policies and strategic projects, actions, and instructions presented by the Directors.
• Keep the supervisor aware of political and operational developments by liaising with key focal points in the field and keep the supervisor updated on policy issues related directly to UNICEF or to humanitarian issues under the broader UN system.
• Assist the supervisor and office senior management in the preparation of strategic documents for high-level meetings involving the Executive Director, Deputy Executive Directors, Regional Directors, Representatives, and other key senior officers within and outside the organization.
• For staff under their supervision, establish clear individual performance objectives, goals and timelines; and provide timely guidance to enable the team to perform their duties responsibly and efficiently.
• Monitor work progress and ensure results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards, escalating any relevant issues to the Director or DHR senior management, as necessary.
• Participates in taskforces and working groups as assigned and provides regular feedback to supervisor and updates on points for decision making.

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: An advanced university degree is required in social sciences, Human Resources, Business Administration, International Relations, Political Science, Public Administration, or another relevant technical field.
• Work Experience: At least eight (8) years of relevant professional work experience in external relations, public affairs, or international development cooperation, preferably within the UN, a government institution, or an NGO. Prior experience of working in coordination, project management, planning, or in an executive office will be an asset.
• Skills:
• Responsive and effective problem-solving and crisis management skills.
• First-class drafting skills in policy and public communications, including effectively and strategically leveraging social media.
• Skills in the identification of new opportunities or requirements to meet challenges and propose changes.
• Diplomatic communication and negotiation skills to establish and maintain trusted partnerships for achievement of objectives and to develop close and effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English language is required.

Desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.
• Prior experience of working in coordination, planning, or in an executive office will be an asset.
• Experience in project management and/or Human resources would be an advantage.
• Experience working in a coordination capacity in international organizations (United Nations or International Non-Governmental Organizations), or in a governmental office/organization is an asset.
• Experience in both headquarters and the field, working with multiple priorities in high-pressure environments is desirable.
• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) 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

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (2)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (2)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

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 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.

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.

In this role, you will collaborate with colleagues across multiple locations. For effective collaboration, we encourage flexible working hours that accommodate different time zones while prioritizing staff wellbeing.

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

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.