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, access to safe water

The overall goal of the UNICEF Malawi Country Programme of Cooperation, 2019-2023, is to contribute to the Government of Malawi’s efforts to implement and decentralize policies related to children, focusing on the most disadvantaged and deprived, to have their rights progressively respected and fulfilled so they can survive, grow and develop to their full potential in an inclusive and protective society. The country programme is aligned with country and UNICEF regional and global priorities and is expected to contribute to the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS) III, 2018-2022, and the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), 2019-2023, while concurrently working toward the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Currently, Malawi is facing multiple emergencies, including lean season response, climate shocks, cholera, polio, and COVID-19. The emergency responses involve intensive and country-wide campaigns and a multi-sectoral humanitarian response in support of Government efforts. The cholera outbreak, unusual for Malawi during the dry season, has gradually spread to all 29 districts and is affecting and compounding all other emergency responses. Because of a threefold public health emergency (cholera, polio, and COVID-19), and the anticipation of floods during the upcoming cyclone season, the UNICEF Malawi Country Office is experiencing an increased need to strengthen the emergency response and coordination of multiple emergency responses and disaster risk reduction, and provide direct support to districts, with an ongoing need to escalate presence in the affected areas for an effective response.

The current cholera outbreak, especially, requires a multisectoral response that would need to be sustained and required appropriate multi-sectoral engagement and coordination. Support is also needed to strengthen interagency coordination within the affected districts. UNICEF has therefore identified the need for an Emergency Specialist (Coordination) to ensure a prompt and adequate response to the emergencies, focusing on the cholera outbreak and coordinating the UNICEF response. Beyond the response phase, the Emergency Specialist (Coordination) is expected to support the identification of a range of interventions to address the affected population’s short- medium- and long-term needs.

How can you make a difference?

Under the overall guidance and direction of the Deputy Representative Programme, the Emergency Specialist (Coordination) is expected to provide technical guidance, operational support and coordination throughout all stages of emergency programming to facilitate the management and delivery of results through key global, regional and country partnerships. The Emergency Specialist (Coordination) will provide service during this intense humanitarian response and recovery phase for the multiple current emergencies, focusing on the cholera response.

The incumbent will function in a matrix management structure with a matrixed reporting line.  The incumbent will report directly to the Deputy Representative Programme and provide technical support to the Community Development and Resilience (CDR) section under the matrixed supervision of the Chief of CDR.

Under the overall guidance and direction of the Deputy Representative Programme, the Emergency Specialist (Coordination) is expected to provide technical guidance, operational support and coordination throughout all stages of emergency programming to facilitate the management and delivery of results through key global, regional and country partnerships. The Emergency Specialist (Coordination) will provide service during this intense humanitarian response and recovery phase for the multiple current emergencies, focusing on the cholera response.

The incumbent will function in a matrix management structure with a matrixed reporting line.  The incumbent will report directly to the Deputy Representative Programme and provide technical support to the Community Development and Resilience (CDR) section under the matrixed supervision of the Chief of CDR.

The Emergency Specialist (Coordination) coordinates the overall country office emergency preparedness and response, with a focus on the cholera outbreak, including (but not limited to):

1. Development, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluating all emergency interventions, focusing on the cholera response.
2. Fundraising for emergency activities to ensure the survival and well-being of children, mothers, and affected communities in all emergencies.
3. Provision of technical support as part of the Deputy Representative Programme team and in partnership with counterparts and partners with a specific focus on the following elements:

•   Team Leaders
• Establishment and maintenance of effective coordination between national counterparts
• Needs assessment
•  Transition planning, analysis, prioritization, planning, and monitoring
•  Integration of cross-cutting issues
• Advocacy
• Resource Mobilization.

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

• Education:Advanced University degree in one of the following fields: public health emergency, social sciences,  public health, epidemiology, or other related disciplines. Preferably a combination of management, administration, and relevant technical fields related to emergency response.
• Experience:
• Eight years of progressively responsible professional work experience at the national and international levels in programme/project development, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and administration.
  • Developing country work experience and fieldwork experience.
  • Specialized training/experience in emergency response management and coordination is required.
  • Prior experience managing the intersectoral dimensions of a cholera outbreak for UNICEF or another operational agency is essential.
• Language:
  • Strong verbal and written English skills are essential.

  Expected technical knowledge and skills:

  • Knowledge of Interagency Standing Committee in Emergencies (IASC) policies and strategies to address national and international emergency issues, particularly public health, natural disasters, and recovery.
  • Knowledge of global humanitarian issues, specifically regarding children and women, and the current UNICEF position and approaches.
  • Knowledge of local conditions and country legislation relevant to UNICEF programmes.
  • Knowledge of humanitarian reform principles, international humanitarian laws, and reform updates.
  • Knowledge of the latest developments and trends in emergency preparedness and response management-related fields.
  • Knowledge of UN security operations and guidelines.
  • Knowledge of the principle of gender parity, equality and inclusivity.

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

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.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
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. 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.

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable male candidates from industrial countries are encouraged to apply.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.