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, Hope

How can you make a difference?

Provide high quality assistance, as well as management and monitoring support to the Somalia Office Representative in his/her oversight role and corporate responsibilities of managing a Country Office composed a Country Office based in Mogadishu, a Support Center based in Nairobi plus 3 Zone offices with over 300 staff. Also, responsible for the coordination of the Representative’s participation in/and scheduling of all external and internal meetings, including inter-governmental, parliamentary and inter-agency meetings, seminars, as well as official visits.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

1. Support the Office of the Representative, including the Office of the Deputy-Representative, in coordinating activities, performing research, and preparing briefing notes, talking points and position papers. Take notes of discussions and prepares minutes and memoranda for the records. Keeps abreast with the main issues facing the office of the Representative and identify issues in need of Representative’s attention. Maintain records and track the status of the Head of Office’s action items, including his/her calendar. Analyze and collect information in support of milestone activities. Produce a variety of substantive and/or routine documents, official correspondence and letters, etc. Screen and review incoming correspondence (mail, email); collect background material; draft and clear correspondence with supervisor.

2. Provide high-level support to the management of the Country Office, chiefly by acting as the Secretary of the Country Management Team, and by arranging other ad hoc meetings at management level, such as retreats and annual reviews.  Conducts research, handles information requests, and performs administrative functions such as arranging conference calls; and ensures scheduling and deconflicting of meetings.

3. Make various administrative arrangements for the work of the Head of Office (and other officials visitors), including travel, appointments, meetings, official social events, press conferences, and interviews. Select and compile background and briefing materials for all meetings, travel, conferences, fundraising etc. for the Head of Office and other officials as requested. Collaborate with and support the Senior Executive Assistant in coordinating the schedule of the Head of Office, arranging appointments, booking meeting rooms, clearing invoices for payments, and producing/collecting and disseminating documentation. Monitors and keeps abreast of political and socioeconomic developments in Somalia, and of Regional and Global events and activities, provides political advice to management and UNICEF staff, and notes items of interest for follow up.

4. Collaborate with  and support the Senior Executive Assistant in organizing and maintaining the Office of the Representative, establishing office and file systems, logging and tracking systems, mail and contact listing. Ensure maintenance of collections of documentation, records and reports. Identify, request and screen materials for the collection. Oversee and ensure the smooth flow of information within the office and the duty station, as well as with Regional Office and Headquarters through daily consultations with the Representative.

5. Respond to a wide variety of general and substantive queries for information from governmental and non-governmental partners. Screen requests, respond if possible or refer to a wide range of possible sources (inside and outside the Country Office).

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

• University degree in international relations, social sciences, business administration or other related disciplines, is required.
• At least two years (2) work experience in a professional capacity in external relations, public affairs, general office administration or international development cooperation preferably within the UN or similar organization, government or NGO.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

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 (8)Nurtures, leads and manages people

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:

Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

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.

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