Job and Career Info

In the humanitarian context, surge capacity relates to UNICEF’s ability to scale-up quickly and effectively to meet increased demand of expertise in the field to meet UNICEF Core Commitments for Children in Emergencies (CCCs), in any given country of territory.

In the capacity of Surge Capacity Manager, you will provide leadership on operational response for major emergencies and support UNICEF senior management on the development of emergency preparedness, rapid response in achievement of UNICEF’s CCCs and commitments in the IASC Cluster Approach.

You will manage and coordinate DHR/RSS Surge Capacity Unit initiatives and provide leadership, guidance and oversight to the Unit and field based Emergency Focal Points in Regional Offices.

This is achieved through further developing a culture of knowledge and learning within UNICEF on Surge Capacity systems and through continuous development of established and new Surge Capacity tools such as the CCC’s, the Emergency handbook and the Regional Rapid Response Mechanism.

Key Expected Results

With a firm understanding of humanitarian action and reform process, and of UNICEF’s business practices and emergency priorities, you will provide overall leadership of the surge capacity unit on global surge capacity response.

You will contribute to further developing a culture of understanding within UNICEF of surge capacity systems, standards and operating procedures and tools. You will facilitate the dissemination of publication and information on work-in-progress and completed works on emergency response.

You will contribute to the achievements of corporate goals in management of emergency surge capacity and staffing and advise:

1. UNICEF Managers globally, clients and partners on emergency surge capacity; and
2. HR Emergency Unit on polices, procedures and practices, new approaches, methods and adaptations for emergency recruitment policies.

You will monitor, review and report to management, partners and clients on emergency response and provides strategic direction to effectively meet UNICEF’s commitments and key performance indicators in the area of emergency surge capacity.

You will represent DHR on Inter-Divisional Task Forces, and UNICEF in other Inter Agency fora, vis-à-vis strengthening partnerships within the humanitarian sector with particular focus on emergency response.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

Advanced university degree in International Relations, Humanitarian Affairs, Business Administration, Business Administration or other relevant field.

Eight years of progressively responsible professional work experience in public administration and preferably in managing Emergencies at field and/or HQ level.

Emergency field experience in response to natural disasters/ conflict is considered highly desirable.

Fluency in English and another UN language

Competencies of Successful Candidate
Communicates effectively to varied audiences, including during formal public speaking.

Consistently achieves high-level results, managing and delivering projects on-time and on-budget.

Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment.

Analyzes and integrates potentially conflicting numerical, verbal and other data from a number of sources.

Adjusts team or department’s approach to embrace changing circumstances.

Demonstrates, applies and shares expert technical knowledge across the organization.

Creates organization-wide processes to help ensure that all adhere to procedures and policies.
Translates strategic direction into plans and objectives.

Has good leadership and supervisory skills; co-ordinates group activities, ensuring that roles within the team are clear.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and gender equality in its workplace. Women and nationals of developing countries are strongly encouraged to apply.