Stretch Assignment as Emergency Specialist – Humanitarian Field Support Section, NY Hub, 3 months, remotely

Stretch Assignment: P3 Stretch Assignment as – Humanitarian Field Support Section, NY Hub (remotely) 

Title:  Emergency Specialist
Level: P3/P2 
Reports to:  Emergency Specialist (P4)
Duration: 3 months
Section: EMOPS Humanitarian Field Support Section (HFSS)
Dates/Duration: 
Eligibility: All Fixed-Term, Permanent or continuing appointment UNICEF staff members currently working in UNICEF worldwide. JPO’s will be considered as well. 

Background

EMOPS’ role in driving internal coordination and inter-agency engagement continues to expand under the evolving humanitarian architecture. As UNICEF adapts to the UN80/Humanitarian Reset and HFSS transitions to a more field-facing, Rome-based model, the scope of support required from HFSS remains multifaceted and demanding. Dedicated staff capacity is essential as HFSS continues to provide holistic coordination support for all L3 emergencies, backstopping Regional Offices (RO) on L2 responses, and serving as the primary support mechanism for sudden-onset crises and protracted crises when country office capacity is limited.

What this stretch offers a candidate:

1. Exposure to HQ emergency preparedness and response decision-making processes, including coordination and information systems supporting humanitarian action.
2. Direct experience with L2 and L3 country contexts, and the functioning of coordination between Country Offices, Regional Offices, and HQ.
3. Engagement with humanitarian reporting systems, including quality assurance of corporate updates and development of internal knowledge products (e.g., country profiles and monthly updates).
4. Exposure to the design and strengthening of humanitarian response systems, including early-stage work on rapid response mechanisms and related frameworks.
5. Development of critical skills in analytical writing, synthesis, and drafting to inform decision-making and support organizational learning.
6. Exposure to cross-division collaboration at HQ level, including work with PPD, PFP, DGCA, and the Office of the Executive Director (OED).

Duration
This stretch assignment will be for a period of three (3) months.

Key expected results

Under the general guidance of the Emergency Specialist (P4), the incumbent will support the strengthening of EMOPS Humanitarian Field Support Section (HFSS) humanitarian information, reporting, and coordination systems, as well as contribute to the development of an overarching framework for rapid response mechanisms and emergency actions in newly emerging crisis. The Emergency Specialist will be part of HFSS and will work in close collaboration with HQ inter-divisional focal points, inter-agency partners, regional emergency staff, and other field-based colleagues. This role contributes to improving the quality and coherence of humanitarian reporting systems (including HFSS data management and EMOPS updates), as well as the strengthening of UNICEF’s use of Rapid Response Mechanisms (RRM).  

1. Strengthening HFSS data management and reporting

Under the supervision of the Emergency Specialist, P3:

• Strengthen the quality, consistency, and usability of humanitarian reporting and information management products to support timely decision-making.
• Support the continuous improvement of HFSS data management processes, including review of inputs from Regional Offices, Country Offices, and automated systems, including the Humanitarian Source Document, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and coherence of information flows.
• Contribute to the quality assurance and standardization of EMOPS weekly updates and internal reporting tools, ensuring consistency of content, clarity, and adherence to agreed standards.

• Targeted desk support: provide responsive, prioritized support to desks based on the urgency of requests and identified gaps, ensuring requests are substantively addressed within agreed timelines.

Deliverables:

• At least two practical recommendations to improve HFSS information flows and reporting efficiency within three months (including the Humanitarian Source Document).
• A streamlined and quality-assured system for weekly EMOPS updates and internal reporting outputs (including monthly updates and country “cheat sheets”).
• Design and operationalize a simple and sustainable system for compiling EMOPS monthly internal updates on programmatic results from L2 and L3 emergencies.

2. Support the strengthening of humanitarian response systems through structured analysis and design of improved mechanisms for rapid response and operational coherence.

Under the supervision of the Emergency Specialist, P4:

• Lead the desk review and initial analytical phase for the development of an overarching framework to guide the establishment and functioning of Rapid Response Mechanisms (RRM). This will include the mapping of existing country-level RRM approaches.
• Support the consolidation of findings and propose recommendations, based on the findings.

Deliverables:

• A report outlining the findings of the mapping exercise.  
• Recommendations to inform a draft framework, with a road map to complete the preparation of the RRM framework. The road map should include a time-bound workplan with an indicative budget.

Minimum Qualifications and Competencies

EDUCATION

Advanced University degree in one of the following fields: social sciences, public administration, law, public health, nutrition, international relations, business administration, or other related disciplines. Preferably a combination of management, administration, and relevant technical fields.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Three years of progressively responsible professional work experience at the national and international levels in programme/project development, communication, advocacy, and partnership activities, including the production of high-quality communication materials (e.g., reports, articles, press releases, human interest stories).
• Developing country work experience or field work experience.
• Strong analytical and writing skills, with demonstrated ability to synthesize complex information into clear communication products, reports, briefs, and presentations.

LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY

* Fluency in English is mandatory. Fluency in another UN language is an asset.

Please review the attached TOR of the stretch  TOR Desk Officer Stretch HFSS NY Hub_May 2026 for VA.docx

Funding arrangement
This is a temporary development opportunity and there will be no changes to the staff member’s status (position number, level, etc.).

Interested UNICEF staff should discuss this opportunity with their supervisor and seek the approval of their management before applying.

Candidates considered potentially well-matched for the stretch assignment will be contacted for an informal interview. Supervisors may also be contacted for references.