Emergency Specialist, NO-C, Tegucigalpa, Honduras, #132475

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 fulfill 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, a fair chance

 

In Honduras, UNICEF supports the creation and development of national programs and policies for children.

The promotion and fulfillment of these rights are related to women´s rights, which is why UNICEF also works to promote their equality, free from all types of discrimination.

UNICEF works with the State, civil society organizations, the private sector, churches, and the media, among others, to promote national and international commitments that the principles enunciated in the Convention become a reality.

UNICEF’s budget depends entirely on voluntary funds. States provide two-thirds of the resources; foundations, the private sector, other private entities and some six million individual donors provide the rest.

UNICEF was created in 1946 by the United Nations to help the children of Europe who suffered the severe consequences of World War II.

For information of the work of our organization in Honduras, please visit our website: UNICEF Honduras  

 

How can you make a difference? 

Under the guidance and supervision of the Deputy Representative, the Emergency Specialist establishes and implements country office emergency preparedness and response. Responsible for the development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the emergency interventions to ensure the survival and well-being of children and mothers, and the affected communities in an emergency situation. 

 

KEY END-RESULTS

• Emergency preparedness is effectively arranged together with establishment of country contingency plans and early warning mechanisms.
• Emergency preparedness and response plans addresses gender and age issues that may be expected to intensify during emergencies.
• Emergency plans of action are developed, and compliance and coordination of all sectors with the plans are implemented.
• Technical advice on emergencies and programme management related to implementation of emergency preparedness measures are effectively provided.
• Emergency preparedness and response, and a consistent flow of information of the humanitarian situation are effectively coordinated within the office.
• Substantive improvements are made in the emergency preparedness and response capability of UNICEF staff and implementing partners through conduct of effective training activities.
• In the event of an emergency, UNICEF’s presence is promptly established, and the initial emergency operational tasks are effectively executed, including provision of support for information communication technology, telecommunications facility and all staff security related assistance in the country office.
• Needs assessment is effectively conducted to determine priorities and an appropriate intervention by UNICEF based on the local emergency affecting children, their families and community.
• Timely delivery of assistance and supplies is provided, urgent staffing requirements are identified, and the appropriate use of UNICEF resources is monitored for effective project delivery.
• Emergency appeals and project proposals are prepared, and concerted efforts are put forward to mobilize donor response and recovery/rehabilitation-related funding.
• Longer-term requirements of the emergency operation/interventions are determined to build a regular operational and staffing structure.
• Continuous, effective and strategic coordination, communication, consultation, technical support and liaison are maintained with Government (national and local), UN agencies, NGOs, donors and allies in support of the special needs of children and women affected by emergency situations within the framework of the cluster approach and based on the Core Commitment for Children.
• Management is kept informed of humanitarian developments in relevant policies, situation developments, potential threats and opportunities/issues in the country.
• Emergency preparedness and response strategies are mainstreamed approach of triple nexus, in accordance with the CO’s strategic priorities.  Sectoral input is provided for all related documents for the office’s Emergency Preparedness and Response, as well as for the Situation Analysis and the Country Programme Document.

 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACTIVITIES

 

1. Emergency Preparedness

• Adopts adequate emergency preparedness measures through the development and updating of country contingency plans and establishment of early warning mechanisms, to ensure effective preparedness and response to specific emergencies.
• Participates in the formulation and development of plans of action in preparation and response to emergencies, monitors compliance of all sectors with emergency plans of action, including financial resources and prepositioned supplies. Ensures coordination of the management of emergency preparedness and response.
• Participate in the formulation of proposal, support donor’s field visit and involve in the resource mobilization plan of the Country Office.
• Provides technical advice related to emergency preparedness and response, including on programme management related issues. Provides advice to the country office in the implementation of emergency preparedness measures in the field to strengthen preparedness and response mechanisms in the country faced with impending emergencies.
• Develops and maintains databases on country/regional information and ensure the flow of information and communication crucial for the planning and implementation of emergency preparedness and response management in coordination with national and local authorities. Identifies availability of resources in emergency prone areas and establish logistics plans to be implemented during an emergency operation, to ensure a timely and effective emergency response.
• Plans, organizes and conducts training for the office’s staff capacity building in emergencies preparedness and response. Assists in developing and conducting emergency training courses. Provides training and/or briefing, as required. Participates in other emergency training workshops in the region and builds up the emergency preparedness and response capability of UNICEF staff as well as implementing partners.

 

2. Emergency Response

• In the event of an emergency, takes prompt action as a member of the Emergency Response Team which is deployed immediately to establish UNICEF’s presence and implement the initial operational tasks relating to emergency assistance. Immediately verifies the nature and extend of the emergency with staff, government officials, other UN agencies or local organizations and media.  Ensures that the office is provided with effective telecommunications facility and staff security assistance in an emergency, as necessary. Provide support to the security officer for establishes contact with all UNICEF staff, their dependants and visitors to ensure their safety and whereabouts and informs of the representative their status.
• Participates and assists with assessment of local emergency and security situation affecting children and mothers in the locality, in conjunction with the Regional Office, the HQ Divisions, and field staff.  Visits the location to conduct an initial rough assessment of the magnitude of the crisis and its implications for children and its impact on the community. Assesses the validity of the office preparedness plan and ability of the office vis-à-vis the current crisis as well as immediate and additional needs. Determines corporate priorities and an appropriate intervention (supply procurement, fund-raising and staff development) by UNICEF. Coordinates with other partners to make a rapid assessment covering priority areas as defined by the Core Commitment for Children in Emergencies.  Establishes contact with community groups, government, UN agencies, media and other partners to keep abreast of emergency situations.
• Applies the emergency preparedness and response plan as necessary and identifies urgent staffing requirements and redeploys country office staff as required. Executes the timely delivery of assistance and procurement of supplies, monitors the appropriate and effective use of UNICEF resources/inputs.  Iidentifies problems and constraints in order to ensure effective project delivery. Certifies the disbursement of funds, monitors expenditures and submits financial status reports. Sets up a reporting system and sends daily situation reports to concerned parties.
• Ensure the consistent use of AAP and PSEA frameworks in all emergencies deployment of UNICEF and the partners.
• Lead the coordination of UNICEF response involving the sectors lead and the management.
• Promotes coordination with national and local authorities in the provision of response to guarantee complementarity and non-duplication.

 

3. Emergency Project

• Participates in the implementation of plans of action and workplans for emergency projects. Implements and manages project activities. Undertakes field visits to emergency project areas, to assess local conditions and monitor project progress. Makes technical decisions on project administration (e.g., activates, requests or reprogrammes allocation of emergency funds). Prepares inputs for appeals and updates related to emergencies. Works with program sections and senior management to mobilize donor response and recovery/rehabilitation-related funding, including annual or multi-annual humanitarian appeals and documents (e.g., pitch documents). Communicates and advocates on the situation and needs of children through local and international media, as appropriate.
• Identifies longer-term requirements of the emergency operation/interventions. Proposes a more regular operational and staffing structure to take over from the Emergency Response Team.
• Maintains continuous, effective and strategic coordination, communication, consultation and liaison with Government, UN agencies, NGOs, donors and allies to appeal for aid for children and women with special needs resulting from the emergency requiring an effective emergency response in all sectors. Identifies implementing/operational partners and establishes implementing arrangements.
• Ensures that the UNICEF support is effectively provided to the government with respect to sectoral coordination and transition plans within the framework of the cluster approach and based on the Core Commitment for Children. Promotes government’s counterparts coordination leadership in accordance with humanitarian transition plans and with a triple-nexus approach.
• Participates in all humanitarian and recovery related forum and keeps management informed of all humanitarian developments in the country in terms of policies, strategy, situation developments, potential threats and opportunities/issues in partnership.
• Promotes that disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness and response strategies are mainstreamed in the country office’s workplans. Prepares sectoral input for the country programme documents, plan of action, annual work plans, and all related documents of the office’s Emergency Preparedness and Response. Contributes towards the preparation of the Situation Analysis and the Country Programme Document.

 

 

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

 

Minimum requirements:

Education: Advanced University degree in one of the following fields: social sciences, public administration, international law, public health, nutrition, international relations, business administration or other related disciplines. Preferably a combination of management, administration, and relevant technical fields.

Work Experience: Minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional work experience at the national and international levels in programme/project development, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and administration. Field work experience in coordination of humanitarian responses in highly vulnerable contexts.

Skills: Strong skills to writing and communication both in Spanish and English is required. Knowledge of global humanitarian issues, specifically relating to children and women; Knowledge of UN humanitarian reform principles, international humanitarian laws; Knowledge of the principle of gender parity and equality; Knowledge on child-centered and rights approaches; The UNICEF mission statement; The Convention on the Rights of the Child; Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination against Women.

Language Requirements: Fluency in Spanish and in English is required

Desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.
• Proven knowledge in Climate Change and related natural disasters is an asset.
• Specialized training/experience in emergency response management is highly desirable.
• Experience in the field of Climate Change is highly desirable.

 

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…

(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

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility jobs-near-me.org UNICEF.

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 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:

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’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children.

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.

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.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.