Programme Officer – DRR (P2), FT, PG CEED, New York HQ # 00117169

Under the guidance of the Global Lead for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), the Programme Officer for DRR will be accountable for the development of UNICEF policies, strategies and operational capacities for DRR (including partnerships and field support). Consistent with the UNICEF strategic plan 2022-2026, advancing DRR will be aligned with UNICEF’s response to climate change, energy, and environmental degradation as well as broader resilience and humanitarian operations.

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, … a climate and disaster resilient future….

Climate change, disasters, and environmental degradation pose significant threats to children’s well-being worldwide and risk reversing progress made in child survival and development. Over a billion children are exposed to severe risks from climate and environmental hazards like heat waves, floods, and cyclones. To mitigate these risks, countries must establish child-responsive climate-resilient, and low-carbon social services, including water and sanitation, healthcare, education, nutrition, and child protection. UNICEF and its partners lead the way in advocating for and implementing child-centered action in the areas of climate change, environment, energy, and disaster risk reduction (CEED), which supports all targeted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNICEF holds a unique comparative advantage to mitigate impacts on children and empower them as agents of change. UNICEF’s CEED Team sits within the Programme Group in UNICEF headquarters and is responsible for thought leadership and programme excellence. Now is an exciting moment as the organization carries out its 2023-2030 Sustainability and Climate Action Plan.

How can you make a difference?

Under the guidance of the Global Lead for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), the Programme Officer for DRR will be accountable for the development of UNICEF policies, strategies and operational capacities for DRR (including partnerships and field support). Consistent with the UNICEF strategic plan 2022-2026, advancing DRR will be aligned with UNICEF’s response to climate change, energy, and environmental degradation as well as broader resilience and humanitarian operations.

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

Programme Development and Management

• Support the further development and implementation of UNICF’s global programme guidance and tools regarding DRR.  This includes advancing tools and guidance on risk assessment, the inclusion of DRR in sector approaches and the integration of DRR (including risk assessment) in to UNICEF systems of planning, monitoring, evaluation and reporting (in accordance with indicators in the Office Management Plan and Strategic Plan).

Field Support

• Support Regional and Country offices through technical support, capacity development for staff and partners, access to tools and guidance and generation of, and access to, knowledge regarding DRR.

Research, Evidence and Knowledge Management

• Support Regional and Country offices through technical support, capacity development for staff and partners, access to tools and guidance and generation of, and access to, knowledge.

Optimal Use of Programme Funds

• Assist in establishing programme work plans and monitors progress and compliance. Help to manage allocation and quality delivery of programme funds. Takes appropriate actions to optimize use of programme funds. Ensure programme efficiency and delivery through transparent approach to programme planning, monitoring and evaluation.

Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration

• Develop partnerships and collaboration with internal and external counterparts, including those of the UN and national partners so as to contribute to global DRR developments carried out under the Sendai Framework, Paris Agreement and other DRR-related SDG frameworks to ensure that UNICEF is appropriately positioned and influences various global DRR processes.  This includes collaborating on technical support, supporting guidance and capacity development for preparedness and risk assessments.

The following minimum requirements:

• An advanced university degree in Social Sciences, International Relations, Government, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Policy, Disaster management, Social Development, Community Development, or another relevant technical field is required.
• A minimum of two years of relevant progressively responsible experience in climate change, disaster risk reduction or related area is required.
• Experience working with child-specific focus is highly desirable.
• Experience working for international organizations such as the United Nations is desirable.
• Experience working in a developing country is desirable.
• Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of another UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is considered 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…

• 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

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, breastfeeding breaks, 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:

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

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.

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.