Deputy Executive Director, Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations, (Assistant Secretary -Gen

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. For 75 years UNICEF has worked to improve the lives of children and their families. Saving and protecting lives and promoting child rights require a global presence and strong partnerships with governments, international and regional organizations, civil society and the private sector. All children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfil their potential – to the benefit of a better world.

Within delegated authority and under the direct supervision of the Executive Director of UNICEF, the Deputy Executive Director (DED), Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations, advises and assists the Executive Director of UNICEF in the overall direction and strategic leadership of the organization, with particular focus on humanitarian policy and response, and on ensuring the delivery of and sustainable access to essential products and services for children in need.

The duties of the DED Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations will require frequent interaction with UNICEF Senior Management as well as senior staff within the UN system, representatives of government, non-governmental organizations and the private sector, as well as chairpersons and members of intergovernmental bodies. He/she oversees engagement in the children and armed conflict agenda. Together with the DED Programme, the DED Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations will guide and lead UNICEF's work on children on the move, protection against sexual exploitation and abuse, and disaster risk reduction, and provide strategic leadership on the humanitarian-development-peace nexus.

The DED Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations supervises and leads the work of the Office of Emergency Programmes, the Office of the Security Coordinator, and the Supply Division. As a member of the executive leadership team, the DED Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations participates with the other Deputy Executive Directors in the formulation and implementation of UNICEF’s institutional strategies and corporate policies.

He/she also provides guidance to and maintains regular contact with Regional Directors and heads of field offices on matters relating to emergency policy and operations. The DED Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations effectively and efficiently directs and manages assigned resources in accordance with UNICEF’s rules, policies, procedures, and standards, and promotes a work environment that values and supports staff as the organization’s greatest asset.

The DED Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations plays an active role in facilitating consultations with Member States, collaborating closely with them and other partners as appropriate. In addition, the DED Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations carries out any other activities as requested by the Executive Director in support of UNICEF’s mandate and mission and assumes overall responsibility for the functioning of UNICEF in the absence of the Executive Director.

The DED Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations leads the implementation of UNICEF's core commitments for children in humanitarian settings (CCCs), and UNICEF’s delivery of products for children in line with UNICEF’s programmatic activities, including rapid response to emergencies. The DED Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations, provides leadership for UNICEF’s humanitarian policy and action in response to emergencies, including public health emergencies and pandemic preparedness, and UNICEF’s supply operations across UNICEF programmes of cooperation and humanitarian crises, including procurement services on behalf of governments and partners.

He/she oversees engagement in the children and armed conflict agenda. Together with the DED Programme, the DED Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations will guide and lead UNICEF's work on children on the move, protection against sexual exploitation and abuse, and disaster risk reduction, and provide strategic leadership on the humanitarian-development-peace nexus.