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 a Future

UNICEF’s Office of Emergency Programmes (EMOPS) is the global lead for humanitarian action and policy, staff security and operational support to UNICEF offices in some of the most complex and challenging locations in the world as well as strategic engagement with humanitarian partners both within and outside the United Nations system. EMOPS leads efforts to ensure that UNICEF’s role in complex emergencies and natural disasters is clearly defined, that the organization is properly equipped to fulfill that role, and that all levels of the organization are prepared to deliver on our humanitarian mandate.

The Administrative Assistants will be core and indispensable members of a fast-moving, multi-time zone team with diverse and highly complementary functions. The role requires a high degree of agility, flexibility, and proactive coordination to keep the team connected, supported, and operating efficiently. In addition to managing complex team scheduling and- team movements (including international travel), the assistants will provide support in all administrative tasks and operational processes, from budget monitoring and record keeping, support to supporting briefing note processes and meeting minutes. The work will also include management of partnership and procurement transactions and support to knowledge management and maintenance of online and physical files; ensuring accuracy, organization and compliance.

Given the team’s engagement in cluster coordination and in inter‑agency humanitarian workstreams, and strategic partnerships, the Administrative Assistants will play an important enabling role. This includes support in helping track inter‑agency deliverables, coordinating with partners across different platforms, and ensuring timely information flow between internal and external stakeholders. This post offers someone with an excellent background in finance and administration to learn about humanitarian action and support children affected by conflict and crisis.

How can you make a difference?

Join UNICEF`s EMOPs team and contribute to its mission by executing a broad variety of administrative transactional tasks and some specialized responsibilities for the respective section/office, requiring thorough knowledge of UNICEF administrative procedures, processes and policies.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks

Budget Monitoring
Office Planning & Project Management
Procurement
Communications & Workflow
Calendar/Meetings/Correspondence Management
Events/Logistics
Travel
Invoice Processing
Supplies/Equipment
Attendance

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Job Description

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

Minimum requirements:

Education: Completion of secondary education is required.
Work Experience: Minimum five years of relevant administrative or clerical work experience, such as office communication and coordination, document and records management, event and meeting support, travel coordination and logistics is required.
Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication and problem-solving skills, digital dexterity is required.
Language Requirements: English - Proficient/Fluent

Desirables:

Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset. Working knowledge of Italian is highly desirable.
Experience in operations, financial management, and budget monitoring is highly desirable.
Experience supporting humanitarian or emergency response operations, including coordination across multiple stakeholders, is an asset.
Knowledge of the UN`s administrative, financial, or operational rules, systems and procedures (e.g., HACT- Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfer SSAs- Special Service Agreement or similar partnership/transaction management processes) is an asset.
Strong ability to manage multiple administrative tasks and schedules simultaneously in an efficient and timely manner even within demanding circumstances is an asset.
Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills for interacting with staff at all levels and external stakeholders is an asset.
Capacity to handle unexpected tasks and operational challenges with professionalism is highly desirable.
High attention to details and accuracy is a strong asset.
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…

(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

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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 suitable and qualified male candidates, regardless of 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 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 is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable male 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.

Only suitable and eligible candidates with valid work permits, or EU nationals or Citizens of the country where the positions are advertised should apply.

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.

Batch recruitment (three positions): Administrative Assistant, (G-5), FT, Office of Emergency Operations (EMOPS), Rome, Italy (Open to EU nationals and applicants with valid work permits)