Field Support Specialist (NO-3), TA, 4 months, #00138405, Guadalajara - Mexico, LACR

For every child, the right to a Future

UNICEF Mexico is strengthening its territorial presence in the Western region through a multifunctional office based in Guadalajara, covering Jalisco, Michoacán and Guanajuato under the One Office approach. The region combines significant programme priorities, particularly around violence affecting children and adolescents, with strategic opportunities for advocacy, visibility, partnerships and private sector engagement. As the duty station for several temporary positions move from Morelia to Guadalajara, the Field Support Specialist will support the consolidation of UNICEF’s presence in the Western region and contribute to coordinated engagement with state authorities, municipalities, civil society, academia, media, influencers, culture and sports actors, business networks and other key stakeholders.

How can you make a difference?

While the Chief Field Office (NO-3) in Guadalajara will be accountable for leading and managing the total programme commitment of the field office, this temporary Field Support Specialist (NO-3) role will assume selected coordination, representation and integration functions during the transition period, within delegated authority and under the guidance of the Representative. The incumbent will help ensure continuity of UNICEF’s engagement in the Western region, support integrated territorial planning, facilitate coordination across Programmes, Communications, Private Fundraising and Partnerships, Operations and Security, and contribute to documenting evidence, risks, opportunities and promising practices to inform national policy dialogue and programme adaptation.

Under the guidance of the Representative (D-1), and, in close coordination with the Deputy Representative (P-5) and the Deputy Representative Operations (P-5), the Field Support Specialist (NO-3) is accountable for supporting UNICEF Mexico’s programme presence and territorial coordination in the Western region, based in Guadalajara and covering Jalisco, Michoacán and Guanajuato. During the transition period and until the Chief Field Office (NO-3) post in Guadalajara is recruited, the incumbent will assume selected field-office coordination, representation and integration functions similar to those expected from the Chief Field Office, within delegated authority and without changing the temporary nature of this assignment.

The Field Support Specialist will represent UNICEF in selected meetings and events in the Western region, support strategic engagement with state and municipal authorities, and act as a territorial integrator for the One Office approach, ensuring coherent collaboration among programme sections and field-based personnel, as well as with Communications, Private Fundraising and Partnerships, Operations and Security. The position will also maintain strong engagement in Michoacán, while supporting the consolidation of UNICEF’s presence in Guadalajara and contributing to the broader Western regional agenda.

Key functions and responsibilities

Minimum requirements

Desirables

• Experience coordinating multi-stakeholder partnerships, advocacy, communications, resource mobilization or visibility initiatives at subnational level is an asset.
• 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…

(8) Nurtures, leads and manages people

This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is either a role with direct contact with children, a role that works directly with identifiable children's data, a safeguarding response role, or an assessed risk role. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) apply.

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 from indigenous groups 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.

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.

Visa residence requirements: i.e. UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.

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.