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 future
UNICEF’s Strategic Plan (2018-2021) sets out Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change and Social Cohesion as organizational priorities and Context: highlights the need for enhanced humanitarian and development integration and risk-informed programming. In delivering on these and other
commitments and bearing in mind the country’s disaster and risk profile, UNICEF India Country Office has identified Risk Informed Programming (RIP) as an important strategy and programme principle for its next Country Programme (2023-2027) to improve programming and increase results that lead to more resilient children, communities and social service delivery systems. Programmatically guided by the DRR Section in Delhi and supervised by respective Chiefs of State Offices, a select number of UNICEF State Disaster and Resilience Officers support the roll-out of this programming approach and also serve as emergency focal point.
The position will be situated in the UNICEF State Office for Odisha (Bhubaneswar duty station) and will cover three states in the East of India (Odisha, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh). The post will report to and be supervised by the Chief of Field Office in Bhubaneshwar , for work related to T Odisha States. However, there will be a dotted reporting line to the Chief of Field Offices in Kolkata and Raipur who will oversee all DRR work related to West Bengal and Chhattisgarh States respectively.
How can you make a difference?
Purpose of the job:
Under the direct supervision of the Chief, Field Office, with technical guidance and support from the Program Manager, and overall guidance of the Chief, Disaster Risk Reduction Section, the incumbent thus assists with risk informing State programmes, focusing on most urgent needs of vulnerable children to make them, their communities and social delivery systems more resilient against natural and man-made hazards, and supporting the preparedness for, and responses to, new emergencies.
Summary of key functions/accountabilities:
- Programme Development
- Technical Support
- Networking and Partnership Building
- Programme Management and Monitoring
- Knowledge Management and Research
- Self-Development
If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: JD/TOR - Programme Officer (DRR), (NO-2), Fixed Term, Bhubaneshwar, India, South Asia Region (SAR) #115088
To qualify as an advocate for every child, you will have…
Minimum requirements:
Education:
- University degree from a recognised University in any of the following disciplines: social sciences, disaster risk management, civil engineering, earth sciences, agriculture, public administration, law, public health, nutrition, WASH, international relations, business administration or other related disciplines.
Work Experience:
- Minimum of two years’ relevant work experience at the state or national level in programme/ project development, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation or administration.
- Relevant practical experience in managing projects related to disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation or resilience building.
- Demonstrable skills in training, development of guidance and tools, as well as adult learning methods, with training experience in disaster risk reduction and/or emergency response management are highly desirable.
- Strong understanding of DRR policy and practice, fragility and peacebuilding, socio-economic effects of climate change, and/or risk assessment and analysis.
- Strong knowledge of programme cycle management, with excellent organisational, writing, and presentation skills.
- Proven ability to communicate effectively, build networks, and work collaboratively in a multicultural environment.
- Capacity to manage competing priorities, work under tight deadlines, and demonstrate initiative and commitment to development work.
- Past experience of working in the UN or other international development organisations is an asset.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in English required. Knowledge of other Indian or another official UN language or the local language of the duty station is considered an asset.
Desirables:
- Relevant experience at the 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…
- Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
- Works Collaboratively with others (1)
- Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
- Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
- Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
- Drives to achieve impactful results (1)
- Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)
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 | 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 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:
- This position is based in Bhubneshwar, India.
- This position is open for all Indian Nationals and for internal candidates possessing a valid work permit for India.
- This VA is open to internal UNICEF staff only i.e. UNICEF staff holding permanent, continuing, and fixed term appointments.
- The selected applicant will have an initial two (2) year fixed-term contract, with the possibility of extension, subject to satisfactory performance.
- Verbal Feedback shall be provided to unsuccessful internal candidates upon the completion of the recruitment process.
- UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. Eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.
- 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 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 only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited / recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/.
Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.
