Emergency Specialist

About us

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is the driving force that helps build a world where the rights of every child are realized. We believe that nurturing and caring for children are the cornerstones of human progress. UNICEF was created with this purpose in mind – to work with others to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in a child’s path. We advocate for measures to give children the best start in life, because proper care at the youngest age forms the strongest foundation for a person’s future.

UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. It is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child and strives to establish children's rights as enduring ethical principles and international standards of behaviour towards children.

UNICEF provides long-term humanitarian and developmental assistance to children and mothers in 191 countries through country programmes and National Committees.

What We Do

UNICEF works to protect the rights of every child in South Sudan

In South Sudan, a combination of ongoing conflicts, displacement, prolonged flooding, and disease outbreaks has resulted in 9 million people, including 4.9 million children, requiring humanitarian aid. The situation has been further exacerbated by the devaluation of the South Sudanese pound and the conflict in neighboring Sudan. More than 790,000 South Sudanese returnees and refugees, including over 400,000 children, have entered South Sudan, all in urgent need of life-saving support.

UNICEF South Sudan focuses on reaching the most vulnerable women and children in the hardest-to-access areas, in alignment with the country’s Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan. Through innovative, multi-sectoral approaches for Nutrition, WASH, Health, Child Protection, Education and Social Policy, UNICEF aims to save lives, reduce suffering, uphold dignity, and protect children's rights. Alongside addressing acute needs through emergency response, UNICEF works to develop innovative, durable, community-led solutions that reduce dependence on humanitarian aid and build community resilience.

Under the direction and guidance of the Emergency Specialist, the incumbent will support overall country office emergency preparedness and response initiatives including, among others, supporting the development and updating of country preparedness and contingency plans, formulation and updating of appeals, SitReps and donor reports, provision of training to build up the emergency preparedness and response capability of UNICEF staff as well as implementing partners.


11. Sustainable Development Goals: Choose an SDG.
Supervision, induction and duty of care of UN Volunteers (Roles and Responsibilities of Host Entities)

UN Volunteers should be provided equal duty of care as extended to all host entity personnel. Host entity support to the UN Volunteer includes, but is not limited to:

• Introductory briefings about the organisation and office-related context including security, emergency procedures, good cultural practice and orientation to the local environment;
• Support with arrival administration and official processes as required;
• Structured guidance, mentoring and coaching by a supervisor including a clear workplan and performance appraisal;
• Access to office space, equipment, IT support and any other systems and tools required to complete the objectives of the assignment including a host entity email address;
• Access to shared host entity corporate knowledge, training and learning;
• Ensure that UN Volunteers are provided all necessary security measures as per the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS);
• Leave management;
• DSA for official travel, when applicable;
• All changes in the Description of Assignment occurring between recruitment and arrival or during the assignment need to be formalized with the United Nations Volunteer Programme;
• Investigate misconduct: sharing reports with the UNV;
• Provide emergency assistance, e.g. the death of volunteer or medical evacuation, in collaboration with UNV. Accept letters of guarantees or potential liabilities for covering medical costs not claimable under medical insurance in extraordinary situations (e.g. isolation facilities` services during pandemics).

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Emergency Specialist or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Emergency Specialist will:

Emergency Preparedness
• Support the development and updating of country preparedness and contingency plans and establishment of early warning mechanisms, to ensure effective preparedness and response to specific emergencies.

• Monitors compliance of all sectors with emergency plans of action. Support coordination of the management of emergency preparedness and response.

• 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/field information and ensure the flow of information and communication crucial for the planning and implementation of emergency preparedness and response management.

• 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 and builds up the emergency preparedness and response capability of UNICEF staff as well as implementing partners.

Emergency Response
• In the event of an emergency, takes prompt action as a member of the Emergency Response Team which is deployed immediately to support UNICEF's 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.

• Participates and assists with assessments of local emergency and security situation affecting children and mothers in the locality, in conjunction with the Field Offices and relevant Juba based or field staff. Visits the location to conduct initial rough assessments 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. Support in the identification of corporate priorities and an appropriate intervention (supply procurement, fund-raising and staff development) by UNICEF. Support coordination with other partners on 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. Liaise with relevant Units to execute timely delivery of assistance and procurement of supplies, monitors the appropriate and effective use of UNICEF resources/inputs. Identifies problems and constraints in order to ensure effective project delivery. Sets up a reporting system and sends daily situation reports to concerned parties.

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. 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.

• 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 situation requiring an effective emergency response in all sectors. Identifies key strategic implementing/operational partners and support the establishment of implementing arrangements.

• 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 inputs 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 Humanitarian Action for Children (HAC) appeals, monthly SitReps, situation Analysis, the Country Programme Document.

• Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/expected outputs:

• As an active UNICEF team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNICEF and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:

Emergency preparedness and response, operational plans and longer-term requirements are identified, developed/revised and effectively followed up with relevant program and support Units.

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 humanitarian situations 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 and implementation of emergency procedures and minimum standard measures.

In the event of an emergency, UNICEF's initial emergency operational tasks are effectively executed.

Needs assessment and desk reviews from different sources are effectively conducted to determine priorities and appropriate interventions by UNICEF based on the local emergency situation affecting children, their families and community.

Emergency appeals, SitReps, project proposals and reports are prepared in coordination with relevant program and support units.

Continuous, effective and strategic coordination, communication, consultation and liaison are maintained with Government, 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.

Specific tasks (i.e. as related to AAP, localization, cash programming, etc..) are effectively conducted or supported in coordination and liaison with relevant units.

Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective and Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) are systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment.

A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in, and capacities developed