For every child, the right to Protection
Latin America and the Caribbean is one of the world's regions most vulnerable to a diversity of hazards which have in parts been intensified by climate change: hurricanes in Central America and the Caribbean; torrential rains and flash flooding across the continent; prolonged droughts in Central and South America; large scale fires in South America; and volcanic activity and earthquakes along the Pacific coast and in the Caribbean. These disasters result in forced displacements and expose children to increased risk of exploitation and abuse.
UNICEF Latin America and Caribbean Regional Office (LACRO) works to reinforce country offices (COs), partners and national counterparts' capacities to respond to emergencies, in accordance with the Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action (CCCs) and within the principles of Humanitarian Reform and the inter-agency Transformative Agenda. At regional and country office level, UNICEF works with partners to ensure more focused cost effective and coherent humanitarian work in the region, while building up emergency preparedness through interagency cooperation.
LACRO supports COs, partners and national counterparts to build more resilient systems, communities and societies, so they can better resist, absorb and recover from disasters. This includes a multi-sectorial approach to address vulnerabilities and risks to children.
Within this context, UNICEF is seeking a motivated highly skilled Emergency Specialist to support the increase in the scope and depth of its collaboration with CDEMA, national authorities, private sector and other key stakeholders in countries and territories of the Caribbean covered by UNICEF, to enhance national and regional emergency preparedness (child-centered shock-responsive systems) and response.
How can you make a difference?
Under the general supervision of the Regional Adviser Emergency P5, the Emergency Specialist P3 provides technical assistance and capacity building to country offices (COs) in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) to enhance their ability to prepare for and respond to emergencies. Specifically, he/she advises and supports the COs in areas such as shock responsive systems, disaster preparedness, early warning, anticipatory action, vulnerability analysis, rapid assessment, contingency planning, and emergency response.
Key functions, accountabilities and related duties and tasks
Minimum requirements
Desirables
Proven experience supporting emergency readiness, response planning, risk analysis, early warning, or anticipatory action initiatives, as well as coordinating inter-agency and national disaster management mechanisms, is highly desirable.
Experience working across multiple countries, particularly in disaster-prone settings, and field experience in developing countries are considered strong assets.
Specialized training and experience in emergency response management, including familiarity with humanitarian preparedness frameworks and coordination mechanisms, are highly desirable.
- Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.
For every Child, you demonstrate...
UNICEF competencies required for this post are…
(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
UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.
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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
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 are conditional on the selected candidates’ willingness to comply with current or future vaccination requirements, should UNICEF mandate it for personnel.
Failure to comply with such requirements, where applicable and without a duly approved medical exemption from the relevant UN authority, will result in the cancellation of the selection or may lead to other administrative measures, including separation from service.
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.
UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates are encouraged to apply.
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.
The conditions of a temporary assignment, including relocation entitlements, will depend on the status of the staff member's original appointment and may be limited in accordance with applicable UNICEF policies, procedures, and practices in force.
Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.
Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF's Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.
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.