Representative, P-5, Iran

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 fulfil 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 Representative serves as the accredited representative of the UNICEF Executive Director in the country and reports to the Regional Director for general direction and oversight. The Representative is responsible for establishing dialogue with the government to develop the framework of cooperation in the country and for working closely and collaboratively with the government and national institutions, stakeholders and partners, to develop and implement the Government-UNICEF Country Programme of Cooperation in active support of  efforts to advance children’s rights as established under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, other international treaties/frameworks, the SDGs, and UN intergovernmental bodies.

As head of a Country Office, the Representative is responsible for providing leadership and vision to the UNICEF country programme team in managing and leveraging resources for the achievement of results and realization of the rights of children. The Representative leads and oversees the various programme sectors and operational service teams ensuring delivery of quality results in accordance with UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework, ethics and integrity. The Representative is accountable for ensuring a respectful, non-discriminatory, and nurturing working environment for all staff and personnel, to enable them to effectively and efficiently deliver high-quality results for children.

How can you make a difference?

• Developing and planning the Country Programme
• Leading and managing the CO
• Monitoring and quality control of the Country Programme
• Representation and external relations at global/national level
• Support to the Resident Coordinator and UN Country Team
• Resource mobilization and partnerships
• Leading innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
• Safety, security and well-being of staff, programmes and organizational assets

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 10 years 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 considered as 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:

Previous experience as a Representative or a similar substantial managerial position requiring political savviness. In particular:

• Strong experience in MICs and up-stream socio-economic policy transformation with practical scalable solutions in response to complex development challenges and multiple crises.
• Diplomacy and political acumen and astuteness. Demonstrated ability in high level representation, sensitive communication/advocacy, in particular in relation to human/child rights. Substantial experience in working in complex, politically sensitive environments and in negotiation.
• Proven capacity to strategize, manage and achieve results, applying appropriate risk awareness practices and safeguarding of full operational integrity.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate and attract highly educated and experienced staff – national and international. Capacity to articulate and communicate a vision.
• Dynamic leadership style and the ability to work collaboratively with external partners, UNCT and UNICEF offices in the region.
• Demonstrated ability to instill trust, maintain high ethical standards and displaying respect and sensitivity towards gender, cultural and religious differences.
• Substantive all-round knowledge of both development/emergency/recovery programming. Successfully manages and adapts to change.
• Substantive experience in fundraising, particularly with non-traditional donors and private sector, and innovative thinking to introduce increased cost efficiency measures.

Country Typology:

• Country Income Level: Iran is a Middle Income country.
• Duty Station: Tehran is a “B”, family, and non-emergency duty station but with substantial humanitarian needs given that it is a disaster prone country and host to a large number of Afghan refugees. It also poses challenges not typical of a “B” duty station, such as unpredictable access to communication and challenging financial transactions due to sanctions.  
•  Office Size: 3 internationals, 45 national staff
• Annual Budget: USD  10 million (including substantial emergency response to multiple crises)
•  Good for 1^st Time Rep: Yes, but for candidates with demonstrated  diplomatic skills and political savviness
• Schooling: International school options are limited in Tehran. The German, Italian and French Schools, which were the most popular among expatriates have drastically reduced numbers following the restriction in enrollment of Iranian children and duel nationals. Many expatriate teachers have left the country. For those speaking other languages or those wishing to pursue their British or American education, appropriate schooling poses a problem. The only school providing a British curriculum is the Pakistan school. The other remain option is the Indian School.  In conclusion,  quality of international education is an issue especially in the higher grades.

Brief country context:

• Upper Middle Income with some sub-national and peri-urban disparities and inequities in less developed provinces. Complex and highly sensitive domestic and geopolitical context, including UN and bilateral sanctions on the regime. Complex and highly challenging Human Rights situation. Substantial political, socio-economic and developmental regional dynamics. Hosts one of the world’s largest refugee population. High restriction on the media.  Restrictions on NGOs collaboration with the UN.  Prone to large scale natural disasters, including floods and earthquakes. Strong national capacity in many areas and sectors with an element of programme stagnation and therefore opportunities for improvement.
• Social life is quite restricted, especially for women. There is a strict dress code imposed on women and teenage girls appearing in public places. Sport clubs are usually only open for women during morning hours and all sport facilities, including swimming pools are gender segregated. Theatre and music shows are limited.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability(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.

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. 

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 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). 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 cancelled.

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.