Stretch Assignment (Remote) - Emergency Specialist, P-4, Humanitarian Field Support Section (HFSS), Office of Emergency Programmes (EMOPS), New York
AGORAStretch Assignment: Office of Emergency Programmes (EMOPS)
Title: Emergency Specialist
Level: P-4 – We encourage staff from all levels with the relevant experience to apply
Reports to: Emergency Specialist
Duration: 2 months
Section: Humanitarian Field Support Section (HFSS)
Location: New York, USA
Dates/Duration: Stretch assignment from 1 February 2026 until 31 March 2026.
Eligibility: All Fixed-Term, Permanent or continuing appointment UNICEF staff members currently working in UNICEF worldwide.
Background
EMOPS’ role in driving internal coordination and inter-agency engagement continues to expand under the evolving humanitarian architecture. As UNICEF adapts to the UN80/Humanitarian Reset and HFSS transitions to a more field-facing, Rome-based model, the scope of support required from HFSS remains multifaceted and demanding. Dedicated staff capacity is essential as HFSS continues to provide holistic coordination support for all L3 emergencies, backstopping Regional Offices (RO) on L2 responses, and serving as the primary support mechanism for sudden-onset crises and protracted crises when country office capacity is limited.
What this stretch offers a candidate:
- Exposure to HQ emergency preparedness and response decision making channels and the functioning of HQ systems.
- Exposure to L3 and L2 country contexts and the mechanics of working with RO/COE’s + HQ.
- Exposure to Security Council briefings; inter-agency forums and Member State engagements
- Gain critical skills in writing to effect change.
- Exposure to working cross-divisionally with PPD / PFP, DGCA at HQ level and the OED.
Purpose of the Position
The Humanitarian Field Support Section (HFSS) aims to provide a ‘one-stop-shop” approach to coherent field support in humanitarian crises, in addition to strengthening UNICEF’s field capacity on emergency preparedness, response and risk monitoring, as well as on early recovery programming, humanitarian advocacy and engagement with integrated missions and presences. Within the framework of the OMP, the team will be instrumental in providing support to the field on principled humanitarian action and a strengthened integration of the protection of children in our engagement but will also strive to focus on the quality of the response in close collaboration with other EMOPS sections, the programme group and operations. The team is also instrumental in providing briefings, data, and analysis to UNICEF senior leaders across the organization to inform their decision making for effective, rights-based action for children in humanitarian contexts. The section coordinates closely with all other EMOPS Sections, and other HQ Divisions, as needed. HFSS provides effective and timely communication lines and support between EMOPS, ROs, COEs and COs, and other Divisions as needed, providing day-to-day coordination and oversight of headquarters’ support to country offices (technical guidance and engagement, humanitarian financing management inter-agency collaboration, direct guidance on global approaches on country specific crises etc.). The Section supports the EMOPS Director’s Office and OED with timely updates and analyses on humanitarian crises to inform decision-making. It coordinates the deployment of the EMOPS Emergency Response Team.
Key expected results
- Coordinate support to and for COs/RO internally and with partners: HQ support to COs/RO in humanitarian crises (including L3 / L2 but also chronic and protracted crises, cross-regional, health emergencies, population displacement) is coordinated and tracked to ensure predictable, timely and effective support appropriate to different humanitarian contexts.
- Liaise with relevant divisions for adequate support in human resources, humanitarian financing, supplies, donor relations, communication, inter-agency collaboration, and technical guidance.
- elaborating their contributions to the humanitarian programme cycle (HPC), RRRPs.
- Facilitate the organization, secretariat, and follow-up of EMTs, CRTs, and TETs.
- Advocate on behalf of COs: Systematic engagement with the RO and COs facing humanitarian crises to inform global, country-specific, inter-agency, and other initiatives with a view to reinforcing UNICEF’s actions on behalf of children in the field.
- Support the EMOPS Director's Office and Senior Management with timely updates and analyses of humanitarian crises, including targeted advocacy to be used in inter-agency, donor, and external partner meetings.
- Monitor and report on the activities of the UN General Assembly and the UN Security Council, in liaison with the Humanitarian Policy Section.
- Participate in inter-agency forums (IATF, OCHA partners meeting) or bilateral meetings and conduct appropriate representation and advocacy with the Secretariat and other UN Agencies.
- Contribute to the preparation of country-specific Executive Committees / Deputy Committees (EC/DC).
- Contribute to the development of Inter-Agency internal and external papers and policies
TOR can be found here
Duration
This stretch assignment will be for a period of two (2) months.
*This assignment will start as soon as possible.
*The duration of this stretch assignment will be 2 months (February – March 2026).
*This stretch will be undertaken remotely in line with New York working hours. *Fluency in English is mandatory. Fluency in one other UN language is required.
Minimum Qualifications and Competencies
EDUCATION
Advanced University degree in one of the following fields: social sciences, public administration, law, public health, nutrition, international relations, business administration, or other related disciplines. Preferably a combination of management, administration, and relevant technical fields.
WORK EXPERIENCE
- Flexibly five years of progressively responsible professional work experience at the national and international levels in programme/project development, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and administration.
- Developing country work experience or field work experience.
- Specialized training / experience in emergency response management highly desirable.
- Writing and analytical skills are critical.
LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
* Fluency in English is mandatory. Fluency in another UN language is required.
Funding arrangement
The staff member keeps his / her current position and the releasing office will continue to cover his / her salary as per their arrangements. Once the selection process has been completed, the receiving and releasing offices will communicate to reach an agreement on the start date for the recommended staff member.
Candidates considered potentially well-matched for the stretch assignment will be contacted for an informal interview. Supervisors may also be contacted for references.
HOW TO APPLY:
1) If interested, please discuss this assignment with your supervisor and obtain a supervisor’s agreement for your application to be submitted as part of your learning and development plan for the year. The agreement of your supervisor is a pre-requisite for any such stretch assignment.
2) Upon receipt of supervisor’s agreement, please submit your application via the talent management system (TMS) with:
- your up-to-date P11 or e-recruitment profile;
- latest PER;
- a cover letter; and
- a signed letter / e-mail of approval from your supervisor.
Candidates considered potentially well matched for the assignment will be contacted for a review process. Supervisors may also be contacted for references.