EMOPS Africa Strategy and African Humanitarian Agency Engagement Consultant

The consultant will provide strategic, analytical and coordination support to UNICEF's Office of Emergency Programmes in advancing the humanitarian component of UNICEF’s Africa Strategy and shaping UNICEF’s engagement with the African Union Commission on the operationalisation of the African Humanitarian Agency. The role involves translating strategic direction into a coherent engagement framework and programmatic approaches grounded in African ownership and child-centred humanitarian action.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic, analytical and coordination support to the Office of Emergency Programmes in advancing the humanitarian component of UNICEF’s Africa Strategy.
• Shape UNICEF’s engagement with the African Union Commission on the operationalisation of the African Humanitarian Agency (AfHA).
• Translate the strategic direction into a coherent EMOPS engagement framework, UNICEF’s positioning, partnerships, and programmatic approaches.
• Ensure approaches are grounded in African ownership, subsidiarity, co-creation, child-centred humanitarian action and a One UNICEF approach.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree in international relations, political science, public policy, humanitarian affairs, development studies, African studies, social sciences or another relevant field.
• A first university degree combined with additional 10 years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree, in accordance with UNICEF procedures.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in humanitarian policy, strategy development, institutional advisory work, international cooperation or a related field.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
• Working knowledge of French is a strong asset; knowledge of another African Union or UN language is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience working with or advising African Union institutions, Regional Economic Communities, African governments or continental policy processes.
• Strong knowledge of humanitarian coordination, preparedness, early warning, anticipatory action, emergency response, localisation and systems strengthening.
• Proven experience developing strategies, institutional frameworks, roadmaps, governance arrangements and senior-level policy products.
• Experience facilitating multi-stakeholder consultations and managing relationships with senior officials from governments, regional institutions, the UN, civil society and development partners.
• Excellent analytical, strategic thinking, facilitation, diplomatic and drafting skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality outputs within tight timelines.
• Familiarity with UNICEF’s mandate, child rights and humanitarian action is highly desirable; previous UNICEF or UN experience is an asset.

Skills

• Humanitarian Policy
• Strategy Development
• Institutional Advisory
• International Cooperation
• Humanitarian Coordination
• Preparedness Planning
• Early Warning Systems
• Anticipatory Action
• Emergency Response
• Localization Strategy
• Systems Strengthening
• Strategy Formulation
• Institutional Frameworks
• Governance Arrangements
• Policy Development
• Multi-Stakeholder Facilitation
• Relationship Management
• Analytical Skills
• Strategic Thinking
• Diplomacy Skills
• Drafting Skills

Languages

English, French