Executive Specialist, P-3, Temporary Position, 364 days, Dhaka, Bangladesh, #00138239

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to Inspiration

How can you make a difference? 

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing 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 favoritism. 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 fulfill 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 realizing 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. 

Bangladesh is home to nearly 60 million children, one of the largest child populations in the world. Present in Bangladesh since 1952, UNICEF works in partnership with the Government of Bangladesh to strengthen national systems, expand equitable access to essential services and advance policies that improve the lives of children and adolescents. UNICEF’s support spans health and nutrition, education, child protection, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), climate resilience, social policy and humanitarian action, with a strong focus on reaching the most vulnerable children, including Rohingya refugees.

Under the direct supervision and guidance of the Representative, the incumbent is responsible for providing high quality support to the coordinated management and oversight of the Bangladesh Country Office. This includes enabling effective planning of strategic actions/activities and supporting the development and implementation of internal guidelines and operating procedures that support the Representative and Senior Management to implement a coordinated, efficiently delivered Country Programme. The incumbent will also play a critical role in promoting organizational culture and innovation in process improvement across the office.

UNICEF Bangladesh is actively engaged in the development of its next Country Programme Document (2028–2032), ensuring alignment of UNICEF’s support with Bangladesh’s evolving national priorities and accelerating progress towards achieving sustainable and equitable outcomes for every child. Through keeping the Representative abreast of political, social and economic trends, the incumbent will help inform strategic and sound decision making. This will further enhance the Representative’s successful engagement in policy advocacy on behalf of UNICEF.

The position contributes to the effective and efficient management of the Office of the Representative and the Country Programme though:

· Coordination and monitoring of actions and recommendations resulting from various management bodies/forums, including the UNCT, SMT, CMT, JCC.

· Resolution of key issues deferred to the Representative and Front Office attention, including the Senior Management Team.

· Establishment of effective lines of communication and exchange of information/ documents with Sections and Field Offices, as well as external partners, including the UNCT and relevant government offices;

· Timely review, follow-up and quality feedback to relevant parties on questions/issues referred to the Representative.

The Executive Specialist liaises with colleagues within the same office, the Asia Pacific Regional Office and Centres of Excellence, on matters of non-routine significance in order to prepare documents for the Representative and manage the flow of information.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  TA ToR Executive Specialiast P3 VA.docx

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in International Relations, Political Science, Public Administration or another relevant technical field.
• Work Experience: A minimum of five years of relevant professional work experience in external relations, public affairs or international development cooperation, preferably within the UN, or in a government institution, NGO.
  • Policy and Advocacy Support: Proven experience in preparing briefing notes, policy documents, and advocacy strategies to support external engagement and inform senior-level decision-making. Demonstrated experience of working with diverse high level partners including government, private sector, and other stakeholders is required.
  • Strategic Advisory: Demonstrated experience in providing strategic advice to senior leadership and facilitating effective communication across senior management teams. Ability to synthesize information to ensure cohesive action and guide organizational priorities is a key requirement for this role.
  • Administrative and Executive Support: Proven experience coordinating and guiding teams in executive office operations and administrative processes, including scheduling, official correspondence, documentation, and management meetings, to ensure the smooth and effective functioning of senior leadership.
  • International and Large Office Experience: Experience working within UNICEF, UN system, or a similar international organization, in a large and complex office environment preferred.
• Skills: Excellent Communication Skills, Negotiation Skills, Analytical Skills, Planning and Organizing Skills, Excellent Time Management, Manages Ambiguity, Ability to Work Proactively, Minimal Supervision, Drive for Results, and Sound Judgment.
• Language Requirements: Proficiency in English is required.

Desirables:

1. Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.
2. Proven ability to act as the professional focal point of an executive office, exercising highest standards of discretion, composure, sound judgment under pressure, and client-focused service in high-demand situations while upholding UNICEF’s CRITAS values.
3. Diplomatic communication and negotiation skills to establish and maintain trusted partnerships for achievement of objectives and to develop close and effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders.
4. Excellent communication skills and a demonstrated ability to write concise, analytical briefs.
5. Proven ability to work effectively and efficiently as a team, coping with pressure and setbacks, as well as responding and adapting to change.
6. Strong analytical skills, drive for results, as well as planning and organizing skills.
7. Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships, both within and outside the organization.
8. Ability to work proactively and with minimal supervision, following instructions, procedures and policies, and keeps to schedules delivering work on time.
9. Excellent time management skills to deal with conflicting and urgent priorities.
10. Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts. 

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

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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 encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility jobs-near-me.org UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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 candidate’s 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 [Insert candidates from targeted underrepresented 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.

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.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.