Programme Associate

OverviewUNICEF 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. UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package. Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF. For every child, the right to a Voice.RoleOperations Centre supports UNICEF’s mandate by providing 24/7 real-time global situational awareness and crisis communication, enabling risk-informed decision-making across the organization. By maintaining a continuous picture of emerging and evolving situations, OPSCEN enables UNICEF’s efforts to support children and families and serves as a vital communication bridge between Headquarters and field offices. This role is for professionals who are comfortable operating at the centre of a global organization.As an OPSCEN Associate, you will serve as a first point of contact for UNICEF personnel in the field and contribute to the team’s shared responsibility for maintaining situational awareness by ensuring the availability of real time data and reporting, in support of timely and coordinated action.Following its relocation from New York to Rome, OPSCEN is entering an exciting new phase, with a clear vision to strengthen its role as UNICEF’s global emergency operations and crisis communication service. The work is delivered through a rotational shift system, ensuring continuity, predictable scheduling, and formal compensatory arrangements. The environment values professionalism, reliability, and mutual accountability; and those selected will undertake a structured onboarding and training period designed to ensure a clear understanding of OPSCEN’s internal guidelines, processes, tools, and expectations before independently assuming shift responsibilities.This is a highly client-facing role that requires strong interpersonal skills, sound judgement, and discretion. Much of the work involves handling sensitive information and engaging professionally with senior management and emergency and security personnel. The role is ideal for professionals who are strongly committed to UNICEF’s mission and values and who take pride in contributing to a trusted global service that supports UNICEF offices and personnel during emergency and crisis situations.The Programme Associate (Emergency Operations Center) position is based in the UNICEF Operations Center (OPSCEN). OPSCEN falls under the Office of Security Coordination (OSC), which is based at New York Headquarters, and operates as part of the Field Support Team within the Operational Field Support Unit of the Office of Emergency Programmes (EMOPS). The Programme Associate reports directly to the Emergency Officer P2 and receives secondary supervisory support from the OPSCEN Manager (Emergency Specialist) P3.EMOPS provides strategic and coordinated support to Country Offices preparing for and responding to humanitarian crises, in line with UNICEF’s Strategic Plan and the Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action (CCCs). EMOPS leads the organization’s efforts to ensure that UNICEF’s role in emergencies (whether complex, protracted, or sudden onset) is clearly defined, that the organization is equipped to fulfil that role, and that all levels of UNICEF are prepared to deliver on its humanitarian mandate.Within this framework, the Office of Security Coordination (OSC) supports UNICEF’s ability to operate in all environments by enabling security risk-informed decision-making for programme delivery. OSC also engages with the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS) to help shape and implement policies that align with UNICEF’s unique operational requirements and commitment to reach children in need.Since its establishment in January 1996, OPSCEN has served as a core enabler of EMOPS’ mission by providing 24/7 global information and communication services, beginning with its support to the Kosovo crisis in 1999. Its primary mission is to support UNICEF in delivering on its Core Commitments for Children by offering real-time services that enhance global situational awareness, facilitate the sharing of emergency and security-related information, support rapid crisis communications, and serve as the first point of contact during critical incidents.Purpose of the JobThe Programme Associate (Emergency Operations Center) provides real-time support to UNICEF staff across the globe by monitoring emergency-related developments, identifying and communicating current and emerging trends through real-time information products, and producing information products that integrate text and data visualizations. To ensure uninterrupted 24/7 coverage, the Programme Associate (Emergency Operations Center) is required to work on a rotating shift schedule as well as weekends and UN-observed holidays. Internal compensatory mechanisms are in place to support staff working these shifts.Key Functions, Accountabilities and Related Duties/TasksDeliver quality and timely 24/7 emergency information and communication services to UNICEF offices and personnel globally.Monitor global media, emergency and security platforms, as well as alert systems to detect and assess events with potential humanitarian or security implications for UNICEF operations and personnel.Issue timely and accurate real-time information products and updates (e.g. alerts, media and situation briefs, etc.) on unfolding or critical incidents/events to relevant stakeholders at UNICEF country, regional, and HQ levels.Produce and disseminate regular media monitoring products, emergency briefs, and data visualization products (e.g. maps, infographics).Support the Information Management Officer in ensuring effective knowledge management, dissemination, and archiving of emergency and security information and data, including uploads to UNICEF’s public website through the Drupal platform and archiving them in SharePoint.Contribute to the optimization of OPSCEN’s crisis communication and emergency coordination services: provide immediate, 24/7 emergency assistance to UNICEF offices and personnel globally via phone, email and other methods, and ensure timely follow up.Following a critical emergency or security event, coordinate with field-based security professionals or focal points to verify the safety of UNICEF staff and dependents, ensuring appropriate follow-up by relevant teams.Coordinate emergency management team meetings by scheduling sessions, sending invitations and agendas, distributing supporting materials, and facilitating videoconferences in coordination with IT. Upon activation by the UNICEF Crisis Management Team, implement business continuity procedures to ensure the uninterrupted functioning of OPSCEN, including issuing timely crisis communications and leadership notifications, and activating the Emergency Notification System (ENS).Support the quality and continuity of OPSCEN’s internal daily operations: maintain and update internal databases and emergency mailing/distribution lists, in coordination with the Information Management Officer.Assist OPSCEN leadership and team members in developing and implementing the quarterly Emergency Watch Associate rotational shift schedule to ensure uninterrupted 24/7 coverage and services.Support the onboarding and training of new staff, consultants, or volunteers on the Watch functions, as needed.Contribute to strengthening internal operational efficiency by participating in team knowledge-sharing activities and documenting operational best practices and lessons learned.Support the OPSCEN management in briefings by joining presentations and providing contextual input on OPSCEN’s role, functions and services to internal and external stakeholders, as required.Demonstrate client service orientation and professional communication skills: engage effectively with diverse stakeholders across headquarters, regional, and country offices, including senior leadership, to ensure clear, responsive, and tailored information delivery.QualificationsMinimum Requirements: Education: Completion of Secondary Education. Work Experience: At least 6 years of relevant administrative or clerical work experience is required, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to the work of the organization. Experience in related functional areas such as Information, Media & Public Relations Support, Protective & Security Services, Executive, Secretarial & Office Support is an asset. Skills: Real Time-Monitoring, Data Analysis, Data Visualization, 24/7 Shift, Crisis Communication, Client Orientation. Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.DesirablesKnowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset. Other areas of education in Administration, Clerical Studies, Information Management, Media Studies, Public Relations, Protective Services, Security Services, Office Support are an asset. Previous experience in Crisis Coordination, Incident Management, and Threat Monitoring is an asset. Foundational proficiency in Google Earth Pro, Power BI, and Esri ArcGIS is a strong asset. Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.CompetenciesUNICEF's Core Values and Competencies: CARE, RESPECT, INTEGRITY, TRUST and ACCOUNTABILITY and SUSTAINABILITY (CRITAS). Builds and maintains partnerships; Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness; Drives to achieve results for impact; Innovates and embraces change; Manages ambiguity and complexity; Thinks and acts strategically; Works collaboratively with others.Other InformationUNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, and encourages applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and from people with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation during recruitment. If you require accommodation, submit your request through the accessibility channel on the UNICEF Careers page. All UNICEF positions are advertised; shortlisted candidates will be contacted. This is a batch recruitment for 7 positions with estimated start dates in April 2026. This section also includes standard UNICEF policies on anti-harassment and non-discrimination, medical clearance, visa and inoculation requirements, and other recruitment statements as in the original text, simplified for readability.#J-18808-Ljbffr