Chief Field Office, P-4, Fixed Term Position, Mekelle, Ethiopia, #00116531 (For non-Ethiopian nationals only)

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 Resilience

How can you make a difference?

Ethiopia is situated in the Horn of Africa and is the second most populous country on the continent, with an estimated population of 115 million. It borders six African countries—Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan—and covers 1,104,300 square kilometers. Approximately 85 per cent of the population lives in rural areas. Ethiopia represents a melting pot of ancient cultures, with Middle Eastern and African influences evident in the religious, ethnic and linguistic composition of its people.

Purpose for the job:

Under the guidance of the Chief Field Operations, the Chief Field Office (CFO) is accountable for managing and leading the total programme commitment of a field office within a country programme. The CFO represents UNICEF in his/her Area of Responsibility (AoR), leads and oversees the various program sectors and operational service teams ensuring the delivery of quality results in accordance with UNICEF’s programme of cooperation, country programme management plan and overall vision set forward by the Representative.

Given the volatile security environment in Northern Ethiopia, including the potential resurgence of armed conflict in Tigray and recurrent cross‑border tensions, the Chief Field Office must demonstrate strong emergency preparedness capacities. This includes the ability to anticipate rapid deterioration, lead risk scenario development, and activate contingency plans to ensure programme continuity, personnel safety, and the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance.

In fragile and humanitarian contexts, UNICEF action is guided by its global Policy and Framework for humanitarian action: the Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks

1. Effective management of UNICEF presence, staff and assets

Represent UNICEF in the region, by participating in meetings and events, moving forward the agenda for children. Facilitate, take and implement measures to ensure safety and security of UNICEF staff and assets. Effectively lead the Field Office team and manage the performance and conduct the staff members to deliver results for children. Proactively monitor and assess evolving security dynamics, coordinate closely with UNDSS and other relevant stakeholders, and ensure that preparedness measures are in place to respond effectively to sudden security escalations, including cross-border incidents.

2. Knowledge Management for Programmes

Ensure that area/country programmes are supported by knowledge management through data collection and analysis, complete and accurate reporting as well as participation in the Programme Knowledge Network system of "lessons learned" and other corporate-level databases.

3. Programme Development and Management

Identify critical intervention points and measures by administering a consistent and transparent monitoring system; analyse country level socio-political-economic trends and their implications for ongoing programmes and projects. This includes integrating conflict‑related risk analysis into programme design, ensuring that activities remain feasible under fluctuating security conditions, and adjusting implementation modalities when access is disrupted due to armed clashes or regional tensions. Draft changes to/or prepare programme work plans as required. Prepare program recommendations for inclusion in formal programme documentation, and new approaches, methods and practices. Establishes programme workplans, monitors compliance and provides training, support and guidance to the programme team in order to meet objectives. Identifies human resources requirements and on-going staff development needs.

4. Optimum Use of Program Funds

Establish and supervise programme work plans and monitor progress and compliance. Monitor the overall allocation and disbursement of programme funds, making sure that funds are properly coordinated, monitored and liquidated. Take appropriate actions to optimize use of programme funds. Ensure programme efficiency and delivery through a rigorous and transparent approach to programme planning, monitoring and evaluation.

5. Programme Monitoring and Evaluations

Undertakes field visits and ensures that his/her staff conduct field visits to monitor and assess programme implementation and decides on required corrective action. In areas affected by insecurity or potential conflict, the Chief Field Office must adapt monitoring strategies, including remote monitoring tools and conflict‑sensitive evaluation approaches. Carry out a rigorous and transparent approach to evaluate and participate in the major programme evaluation exercises in consultation with the Representative, the Operations Officer, the Evaluation Officer and others to improve efficiency and quality of programme delivery. Participate in annual sector review meetings with government counterparts. Ensure the timely preparation of annual program status reports.

6.Rights-Based and Results-Based Programme Management Approach

Adopt rights-based programmes approach in the formulation of programme goals and objectives and development of strategies and implementation frameworks. Formulate consistent and effective planning, design, implementation, monitoring and/or evaluation of programmes and projects. Bring coherence, synergy and added value to the programming planning and design processes using a results-based management approach to programme planning and design.

7.National and Local Capacity Building/Sustainability

Provide authorities and service providers with technical support and guidance to plan and organize training programmes for the purpose of capacity building and programme sustainability. Ensure the building and reinforcing of the commitment and institutional capacities of the national and local partners starting with taking a strategic approach to the identification of these partners and partnerships. Capacity‑building efforts to strengthen partners’ ability to operate safely and effectively in conflict‑affected environments, including preparedness for displacement, access constraints, and sudden shifts in security conditions.

8. Rights Perspective and Advocacy at the National, Community and Family Levels

Conduct policy analysis from a children's and women's rights perspective and advocacy at the government, community and family levels for elevating credibility in national and international policy debates. Promote the organization goals of UNICEF through active advocacy and communication in line with UNICEF national advocacy guidelines and strategy.

9. Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration

Develop partnership and collaboration with internal and external counterparts, including those of the UN and national partners, in order to improve the ability to collect and disseminate development data and information, exchange information on programme/project status and implementation and movement/distribution of supplies. Linkage to the Regional Programme Knowledge Network to ensure the availability of current and accurate programme data. Ensure strong coordination with humanitarian actors, peacebuilding structures, and security stakeholders to maintain operational continuity during periods of heightened conflict risk. Collaborate with the Operations Section to establish and maintain sound internal controls supportive of programming endeavours and to coordinate financial and supply management requirements and accountability.

10. Enhanced emergency preparedness and contingency planning ensure programme continuity and staff safety in context of potential armed conflict and regional instability.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: JD Chief Field Office P-4.pdf

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

Minimum requirements

• Education: Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in social science, public administration, sociology, international relations, government and public relations, public policy, social policy, community development or another related field.
• Work Experience: At least 8 years of relevant work experience in social sciences, international relations, public administration, government and public relations, public or social policy, sociology, social or community development, or another relevant technical field.
• Skills: Leadership skills, Resource management, Knowledge of Rights-based and Results-based approach, UNICEF Programme policy, project management methodology, Programme Implementation.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.
• Desirables 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
  (8) Nurtures, leads and manages people 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. 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 female candidates and persons with disability 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. Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service. 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. 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.
  • Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language,
  • Experience in developing countries, experience in a UN system agency or organization, in emergency preparedness,
  • Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.