Chief Field Operations, (P-4), Mexico City, Mexico, #126694, [Fixed-Term Appointment] (only open for international candidates)

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.
UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, opportunity.

How can you make a difference?

As a Chief of Field Operations for UNICEF Mexico, you will be responsible for the coordination and management of all field programme operations as well as humanitarian-related issues in the office, ranging from policy development to support in fundraising. You will directly report to the Deputy Representative Programme and mainly:

• Be responsible for the management of the field offices and other outposts’ presence, including planning, implementation, and monitoring of programme-related activities at the sub-national level, as well as emergency preparedness and response, ensuring coherence and comprehensiveness across the humanitarian-development nexus programme.
• Support the Deputy Representative – Programme in effective and strategic coordination between sub-national and national levels to promote the achievement of impact outcomes and an effective and efficient humanitarian response.
• Supervise the Chief of Field Offices, managing the performance of the field offices, and the management of the technical staff in the FOs in coordination with the Chief of Field Offices through a matrix management arrangement with the chiefs of program areas.
• Advise the Deputy Representative – Programme on her security and emergency management responsibilities under the UN Accountability Framework and on the conduct of security operations in support of program activities.

If you are interested and would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  SJD Chief of Field Operations P4 MEX.pdf

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

• An advanced university degree (equivalent to a Master’s) from an accredited institution, preferably, in: Social Sciences, Public Administration, International Relations, Business Administration, Public or Social Policy, Sociology, Social or Community Development, or other fields related to the work of UNICEF.*A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree*
• At least 8 years of relevant professional experience in complex humanitarian response or programme management and implementation at the national and international levels.
• At least one year of experience as Head of Field Office or managing a team in a humanitarian context.
• Fluency in English.
• Advanced level (proficiency, not fluency) of Spanish.

It will be an advantage (not mandatory) if you have…

• Experience in Latin America.
• Fluency in Spanish.

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

The 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 [add the 8^th competency (Nurtures, leads and manages people) for a supervisory role]. 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is: a role with direct contact with children, works directly with children, or is a safeguarding response role. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) apply.

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 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. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will 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.

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. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

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’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.
• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.
• 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.
• All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.
• Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.
• THIS IS AN INTERNATIONAL POSITION. PLEASE NOTE THAT NATIONAL CANDIDATES CANNOT BE CONSIDERED.