Emergency Specialist, P-4, FT, #64133, Regional Services Div., Dakar, Senegal-WCARO
Organizational Context
UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.
Job Purpose
Under the supervision of the Regional Chief of Emergencies (REA), and in close collaboration with the Deputy Regional Director and Regional Director, the Emergency Specialist provides strategic and technical leadership to support emergency preparedness, response, humanitarian access, localization, and child rights in emergencies across the West and Central Africa Region. The role supports Country Offices in undertaking risk analysis, preparedness planning, emergency response design and implementation, humanitarian coordination, resource mobilization, and advocacy. The position contributes to strengthening regional emergency capacity and ensuring that humanitarian actions are principled, risk-informed, locally led, and aligned with UNICEF's Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action (CCCs).
Responsibilities
Supports Country Offices in developing, reviewing and updating risk analyses, contingency plans, preparedness measures and Emergency Preparedness Platform (EPP) actions. Monitors emerging humanitarian risks and trends across countries of coverage and provides strategic recommendations to strengthen preparedness and anticipatory action. Supports the formulation and implementation of emergency preparedness and response plans, ensuring coherence with regional priorities, CCCs, and humanitarian principles. Monitors progress and provides technical guidance to Country Offices on preparedness and response actions. Provides policy and programme advice to Country Offices and Regional Management on emergency preparedness, humanitarian response, risk-informed programming, humanitarian-development-peace nexus approaches and operational readiness. Leads the collection, analysis and dissemination of emergency information, situation monitoring, humanitarian trends and risk analysis from countries of coverage. Contributes to regional situation analyses, management updates, briefing notes and decision-making processes. Designs and coordinates emergency preparedness and response activities.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of professional experience in emergency preparedness and response, humanitarian action, or a related field is required. Experience in the West and Central Africa region is an asset.
Skills
Emergency Preparedness, Humanitarian Response, Risk Analysis, Contingency Planning, Humanitarian Coordination, Resource Mobilization, Advocacy, Child Rights in Emergencies, Strategic Leadership, Technical Guidance, Information Analysis, Situation Monitoring