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 for as long as we are needed. 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 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 Hope

In this context, the 7.5 and 7.2 magnitude earthquakes that struck Venezuela on 24 June 2026 have generated one of the most significant emergencies the country has faced in more than a century. The impact has extended across Caracas and the states of La Guaira, Miranda, Carabobo, Aragua, Falcón, and Yaracuy, resulting in thousands of deaths and injuries, large-scale population displacement, severe damage to homes and critical public infrastructure, as well as prolonged disruptions to water, electricity, telecommunications, health, and education services. Schools, health facilities, water and sanitation systems, roads, and bridges have sustained substantial damage, limiting communities’ access to basic services and further complicating the humanitarian response.

Children and adolescents are among the groups most affected by this emergency. Many have lost their homes, experienced interruptions in their access to education and healthcare, and face increased risks of family separation, psychosocial distress, violence, exploitation, and other violations of their rights. In response, UNICEF has activated and scaled up its emergency response in coordination with the Government and humanitarian partners, providing support in the areas of child protection, health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), education in emergencies, and psychosocial support. The scale and complexity of humanitarian needs require strengthening the organization’s operational capacity to ensure a timely, effective, and child-centered response, particularly in the most vulnerable and hard-to-reach communities.

How can you make a difference?

To support the Venezuela Country Office in sustaining an operational and effective preparedness and response capacity for the earthquake response and other emergencies affecting the country. Working closely with the Emergency Manager, monitor developments in areas considered to be in crisis or at risk.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

1. Emergency Preparedness

2. Emergency Response

3. Emergency Project Management

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: JD Emergency Officer, (NO-2), TA, #00138192 6 months, Caracas – Venezuela, LACR.pdf

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

Education A completed first level university degree (Bachelor or equivalent) in one of the following fields is required: Social Sciences, Public Health, Nutrition, Disaster/Emergency Management, Communication, or another relevant field.
Work Experience: A minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible experience in programme formulation, planning, management and evaluation, including experience in emergency programme management and operations is required.
Proven experience in programming with and for children and young people in emergency and post-emergency situations is required.
Skills: Strong analytical, negotiation, communication and advocacy skills are required.
Versatility, sound judgement and maturity, with the ability to work effectively in a team and to cope with stressful and difficult conditions, including political and cultural sensitivity is essential for the position.
Language Requirements: Fluency/Proficiency in both Spanish and English is required.

Desirables:

Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French or Russian) is an asset
Additional relevant post-graduate courses that complement/supplement the main degree are a strong asset.
Proven experience working with, or in close coordination with, the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and other national and local counterparts is an advantage.
Current knowledge of emergency response issues and policies, as well as social programming policies and procedures in international development cooperation.
Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and to establish harmonious and effective working relationships, both within and outside the organization.
Relevant experience in UN/UNICEF is desirable.
Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

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

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
Works Collaboratively with Others (1)
Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
Drive to Achieve Impactful Results (1)
Manages Ambiguity and Complexity (1)

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 either a role with direct contact with children, a role that works directly with identifiable children's data, a safeguarding response role, or an assessed risk role. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) apply.

Eligible staff members on fixed-term, continuing or permanent contracts applying to IP TA positions in a duty station designated as L2/L3, may be able to retain a lien and their fixed-term entitlements, subject to approval by their Head of Office. The conditions of the temporary assignment will vary depending on the status of their post and relocation entitlements may be limited as per the relevant policies.

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. Appointments are conditional on the selected candidates willingness to comply with current or future vaccination requirements, should UNICEF mandate it for personnel. Failure to comply with such requirements, where applicable and without a duly approved medical exemption from the relevant UN authority, will result in the cancellation of the selection or may lead to other administrative measures, including separation from service.

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.

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.

Visa residence requirements: i.e. UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.

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.