UNICEF: Humanitarian Disaster Risk Financing and Anticipatory Action Specialist – Suva

Organization Mission

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organisation does — in programmes including humanitarian contexts, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasising the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favouritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfil their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realising the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

Context

UNICEF Pacific operates in one of the most disaster‑prone regions globally, where tropical cyclones, droughts, floods, and climate shocks regularly undermine children’s wellbeing and strain national response systems. Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Pacific face acute challenges related to geographic dispersion, high logistics costs, and limited fiscal space, making predictable and timely disaster risk financing (DRF) a critical enabler of effective humanitarian response and anticipatory action.

UNICEF is supporting Pacific governments to strengthen Climate and Disaster Risk Financing and Insurance (CDRFI) approaches through a regional SIDS Platform, which combines parametric insurance (including PCRIC Replica), contingent grants, and anticipatory action protocols. These instruments are designed to ensure rapid financing for child‑focused preparedness, early action, and response, while progressively embedding DRF approaches within national systems.

The UN Volunteer Specialist will support UNICEF Pacific’s humanitarian and DRF agenda by contributing to the operationalisation, coordination, and country‑level alignment of these financing mechanisms. The assignment will focus on strengthening linkages between risk analytics, financing triggers, and money‑out systems, ensuring that DRF instruments translate into timely, effective action for children and vulnerable communities across the Pacific.

The role will work closely with UNICEF programme sections, regional partners, and government counterparts, contributing to learning, documentation, and capacity support around DRF and anticipatory humanitarian action.

Key Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Emergency Specialist, the Humanitarian Disaster Risk Financing and Anticipatory Action Specialist (Pacific) will support UNICEF Pacific’s work on humanitarian preparedness and Disaster Risk Financing, with a specific focus on the operationalization of DRF instruments within the Pacific SIDS context, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

A. Support to Disaster Risk Financing and Insurance (DRFI) initiatives
• Assist UNICEF Pacific in the coordination and operational follow‑up of regional DRF mechanisms, including PCRIC Replica insurance, contingent grant mechanisms, and anticipatory action protocols, ensuring alignment with humanitarian response priorities.
• Support the documentation and analysis of trigger mechanisms, expected outflows, and country‑specific use cases, helping translate technical designs into programmatically actionable guidance.
• Contribute to internal briefings and summaries on DRF instruments for UNICEF pro-gramme teams and management.

B. Strengthening “money‑out” preparedness and humanitarian readiness
• Support mapping and review of money‑out systems at country level (processes, agreements, roles) to enable rapid deployment of funds when DRF instruments trig-ger.
• Assist in identifying operational bottlenecks related to logistics, pre‑positioning, and partner readiness, particularly in dispersed island contexts, in line with Pacific MCO priorities.
• Contribute to lessons‑learned reviews following activations or simulations of DRF and anticipatory action mechanisms.

C. Government engagement and alignment
• Support UNICEF engagement with national governments on DRF‑related topics, contributing to alignment between UNICEF systems and national disaster risk management and financing frameworks.
• Assist in preparing background notes, talking points, and briefing materials for joint discussions with government counterparts and regional partners on DRF and anticipatory action.

D. Knowledge management and learning
• Support consolidation of guidance, tools, and learning products emerging from the Pacific DRF work, including summaries of simulations, dashboards, and operational workflows requested by country offices.
• Contribute to cross‑regional knowledge exchange by documenting Pacific experiences relevant to other SIDS contexts.

During the first month of the assignment, the UN Volunteer will work closely with his/her direct supervisor to finalize an agreed-upon work plan. The work plan should outline key objectives and activities and include regular check‑ins with the supervisor to review progress and receive performance feedback.

Required Skills and Experience

Experience in:
• Humanitarian preparedness, emergency response, and/or anticipatory action in de-velopment or humanitarian contexts
• Disaster risk financing, climate resilience, insurance, social protection, or public fi-nance from an operational or programme support perspective

Skills in:
• Supporting analysis, documentation, and coordination of humanitarian or DRF initia-tives
• Stakeholder engagement, including collaboration with government counterparts and regional partners

Core Competencies

Accountability
Adaptability and Flexibility
Building Trust
Commitment and Motivation
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Communication
Creativity
Ethics and Values
Integrity
Judgement and Decision-making
Knowledge Sharing
Leadership
Planning and Organizing
Professionalism
Respect for Diversity
Self-Management
Technological Awareness
Vision
Working in Teams

Living Conditions

Fiji has a tropical oceanic climate. The rainy season, from November to April, coincides with the hot and humid months and the cooler months are from May to October. Fiji sits in a cyclone area, and cyclones are most likely to occur in the summer months between November and April. Due to the heat and humidity, you may prefer loose clothing in natural fibers. In Suva, a rain jacket and umbrella are essential. There is no defined dress code, but polite official or Pacific attire is well respected in all offices in Pacific. Fiji is currently in UN Security phase 1. Like in any other country, robbery, theft and violent assault are inevitable staff members are always reminded to exercise caution. Home invasions may occur, affecting both locals and expatriates.

Suva is the capital city of the Fiji Islands (population estimated at 175,000 including the suburbs). Located on the south-eastern coast of the main island of Viti Levu, Suva is the administrative and political centre of the country. It is one of the South Pacific’s largest and most sophisticated cities and home to many regional and international development organizations, including UN agencies, embassies and high commissions, the Pacific Island Form Secretariat etc. English is the official working language of the country and is widely used, with Fijian, Hindustani and Rotuman being the actual languages of the country.

Suva is a very multicultural city which is reflected by the different mosques, churches, temples and cultural centres. There are many restaurants, bars, coffee shops, nightclubs and even a large cinema complex where all the latest movies are shown. Suva has accommodation to suit business travellers’ families and backpackers. There are several apartments (including fully furnished apartments) and houses available. Rental price ranges from approx. F$2,000 to F$10,000.

Living and working in Pacific Island Countries including Fiji provides for an interesting and enriching experience, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as patience and commitment to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to appreciate the new and unique culture and environment are essential.