Senior Driver, G-3, Fixed Term Position, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, #00001247

This is a re-advertisement, candidates who have already applied do not need to re-apply.

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 Results

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 percent of the population lives in rural areas. Ethiopia represents a melting pot of ancient cultures with Middle Eastern and African cultures evident in the religious, ethnic, and language composition of its people.

Over the past couple of years, children and their families across Ethiopia faced multiple and complex emergencies, such as the conflict in the northern Ethiopia and the drought, which resulted in millions of people in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. UNICEF has programmes in Child Protection, WASH, Health, Nutrition, Social Policy, and Education and serves over 15 million children in Ethiopia. Join UNICEF Ethiopia to contribute to improving the lives of children and women.

Job Purpose

The Senior Driver, at the G-3 level, provides high level, secure and professional driving services to the Head of Office (HoE). This role goes beyond basic transportation duties and requires strong coordination with internal and external stakeholders, knowledge of diplomatic and UN protocol, use of digital tracking systems, and a client-service mindset.

In addition to driving functions, this position can also perform basic administrative and logistical support and contributes to the professional development of other drivers. The Senior Driver demonstrates a client-oriented approach, high sense of responsibility, courtesy, tact and the ability to work with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.

III. Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks

1. Reliable and Safe Driving Services

• Drives the Head of the Office to official appointments, meetings, field missions, to and from residence with absolute punctuality and discretion.
• Safely transport senior guests, external dignitaries, or partners - when requested
• Meets staff, senior official personnel and visitors at the airport and may assist with basic visa, access facilitation , customs formalities and arrangements including VIP lounge when required
• Adjust routes or schedules quickly in response to emerging security needs, road closures, or VIP protocol changes

1. Effective Coordination and Protocol Engagement

• Liaise and coordinate closely with Administration Unit, UNDSS, security escorts, field teams, airport protocol units, and host country protocol staff
• Maintain full confidentiality of official sensitive conversations or observations during missions

1. Vehicle Maintenance, Readiness and Incident Response

• Conduct daily vehicle checks for fuel, oil, tires, lights, vehicle related documents including insurance, and emergency tools.
• Ensure vehicle is regularly cleaned and maintains a professional appearance, both interior and exterior.
• Ensure unexpired first aid kits, fire extinguishers, radios, and communications devices are present and functioning.
• Ensure proper recording of trips in log books, and report all mechanical issues, damage, or accidents immediately and assist in accident reporting procedures.

1. Use of Digital Systems and Devices

• Operate Vehicle Tracking Systems (VTS) to log, monitor, and report trips in compliance with office protocols (when VTS has been installed otherwise manual log books recording should be used)
• Use the UN Mobility Booking Tool to confirm trip details, passenger logs, and changes
• Communicate using VHF/HF radio devices and mobile phones to maintain contact with security and administrative teams
• Use tablets or mobile devices (when issued) to confirm routes, receive trip updates, or record trip data digitally.

1. Administrative and Logistical Support

• Support the HOE or Administrative Unit with deliveries, document runs, or light logistical tasks including in emergency response operations.
• Assist with coordinating vehicle availability and maintenance schedules in support of wider office transport operations
• Assist in preparing briefing kits, arranging mission support materials, or running field checks prior to VIP visits

1. Guidance to Junior Drivers

• Share knowledge and/or train junior or temporary drivers on safety protocols, basic maintenance and repairs, digital systems, and professional standards
• Serve as a role model for ethical driving behavior, safe navigation, fuel efficiency, and customer service
• Support team briefings and participate in field transport debriefs or simulations

1. Learning and development during Downtimes

• Enroll in relevant AGORA courses, particularly on ethics, road safety, digital tools, and emergency preparedness
• Review updated UNICEF transport and safety guidelines
• Participate in periodic safety briefings, evacuation drills, and fleet management planning
• Contribute feedback on transport procedures and help improve protocols

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Senior Driver G3 (2).doc

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

Minimum requirements

• Education: Secondary Education in Secondary Education, Driving Rules, Regulations and any other related fields.
• Work Experience: At least 3 years of relevant work experience in Transportation, Safe driving, Effective Coordination, Protocol Engagement, Vehicle Maintenance, Incident Response Readiness, Digital Systems Use, Administrative Support, Logistical Support, Guidance to Junior Drivers, Learning and Development. and any other related fields.
• Skills: Communication, Confidentiality, Incident Response, Road Safety, Self Awareness, Vehicle Maintenance.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.

Desirables

• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
• Safe Driving Record, International Organization, UN System, Embassy, Diplomatic Protocol
• 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 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 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 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.

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.