Deputy Executive Director, Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations, (Assistant Secretary -General), New York, USA

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. For 75 years UNICEF has worked to improve the lives of children and their families. Saving and protecting lives and promoting child rights require a global presence and strong partnerships with governments, international and regional organizations, civil society and the private sector. All children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfil their potential – to the benefit of a better world.

For every child, dedication.

Within delegated authority and under the direct supervision of the Executive Director of UNICEF, the Deputy Executive Director (DED), Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations, advises and assists the Executive Director of UNICEF in the overall direction and strategic leadership of the organization, with particular focus on humanitarian policy and response, and on ensuring the delivery of and sustainable access to essential products and services for children in need.

The duties of the DED Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations will require frequent interaction with UNICEF Senior Management as well as senior staff within the UN system, representatives of government, non-governmental organizations and the private sector, as well as chairpersons and members of intergovernmental bodies.

How can you make a difference?

The DED Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations leads the implementation of UNICEF's core commitments for children in humanitarian settings (CCCs), and UNICEF’s delivery of products for children in line with UNICEF’s programmatic activities, including rapid response to emergencies. The DED Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations, provides leadership for UNICEF’s humanitarian policy and action in response to emergencies, including public health emergencies and pandemic preparedness, and UNICEF’s supply operations across UNICEF programmes of cooperation and humanitarian crises, including procurement services on behalf of governments and partners. He/she oversees engagement in the children and armed conflict agenda.

Together with the DED Programme, the DED Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations will guide and lead UNICEF's work on children on the move, protection against sexual exploitation and abuse, and disaster risk reduction, and provide strategic leadership on the humanitarian-development-peace nexus.

The DED Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations supervises and leads the work of the Office of Emergency Programmes, the Office of the Security Coordinator, and the Supply Division.

As a member of the executive leadership team, the DED Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations participates with the other Deputy Executive Directors in the formulation and implementation of UNICEF’s institutional strategies and corporate policies. He/she also provides guidance to and maintains regular contact with Regional Directors and heads of field offices on matters relating to emergency policy and operations.

The DED Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations effectively and efficiently directs and manages assigned resources in accordance with UNICEF’s rules, policies, procedures, and standards, and promotes a work environment that values and supports staff as the organization’s greatest asset.

The DED Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations plays an active role in facilitating consultations with Member States, collaborating closely with them and other partners as appropriate. In addition, the DED Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations carries out any other activities as requested by the Executive Director in support of UNICEF’s mandate and mission and assumes overall responsibility for the functioning of UNICEF in the absence of the Executive Director.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have a distinguished record of progressively responsible leadership experience at the senior executive level, including:

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international relations, public administration, political or social sciences, business administration, or related area.
• Being a strong leader and manager with highly developed diplomatic and public policy skills, including senior managerial experience at the international level.
• Demonstrating a strong track record in managing complex organizations and programmes, organizational strategy and development, including results-based management
• A track record in strategic partnership building, management for results, advocacy and resource mobilization, demonstrated commitment and ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment and commitment to UNICEF and its vision.
• A strong track record in leading humanitarian action in complex environments.
• Extensive experience in leading and managing complex security situations.
• A results-driven and people-oriented management approach with strong ability to influence, negotiate, and build networks and partnerships.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a collaborative leadership style, and demonstrated ability to work in a diverse multicultural, multi-ethnic environment, including working effectively in inter-agency and cross-sectoral leadership teams.
• Excellent political and diplomatic skills, combined with a proven ability to achieve results in a complex political environment.
• A strong capacity to distill, analyze and translate multifaceted and critical issues from various sources.
• Knowledge of development and humanitarian issues and policies
• Excellent communication skills, fluency in English, and working knowledge of another official UN language.
• Experience in or knowledge of the UN system and knowledge of UNICEF’s work
• Familiarity with the international humanitarian coordination architecture, including the Inter-Agency Standing Committee.

• Willingness and ability to undertake extensive travel, including assignments in humanitarian and emergency contexts.

To ensure results for every Child....

The DED Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations ensures that UNICEF delivers timely, effective, and accountable humanitarian responses while strengthening organizational preparedness for emergencies and public health crises. The role advances UNICEF’s global leadership and influence in humanitarian policy and inter-agency coordination to better protect the rights and well-being of children and women affected by conflicts and disasters. The DED Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations overseas efficient and innovative supply, logistics, and procurement operations that improve equitable access to essential commodities and strengthen national systems. The position also requires effective stewardship of organizational resources, promoting a high-performing and supportive work environment, and driving operational excellence across humanitarian and supply functions. The role also ensures accountability to beneficiaries, meaningful community and country engagement as well as duty of care towards the beneficiaries, including prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter:

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

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

Remarks:

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.

Remarks:

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 is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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.

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.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF's Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here .