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UNICEF is inviting applications for the senior executive position of Deputy Executive Director, Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations (Assistant Secretary-General), based in New York, USA. This is a high-level international leadership role within UNICEF’s executive management structure, with responsibility for humanitarian policy and response, supply operations, emergency preparedness, and the delivery of essential products and services for children.

The position is offered under a Fixed Term Appointment at ASG-1 level, with applications due by 7 September 2026.

About the UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Position

The Deputy Executive Director (DED), Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations works directly under the supervision of the Executive Director of UNICEF.

The role provides strategic leadership across two major areas of UNICEF’s work: humanitarian action and supply operations. The position requires frequent engagement with UNICEF senior management, senior UN officials, governments, nongovernmental organizations, private-sector representatives, and intergovernmental bodies.

The successful candidate will be part of UNICEF’s executive leadership team and contribute to the formulation and implementation of institutional strategies and corporate policies.

Key Responsibilities

The Deputy Executive Director will lead the implementation of UNICEF’s Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action (CCCs) and oversee UNICEF’s delivery of products and services supporting children in humanitarian settings.

Major areas of responsibility include:

The DED provides strategic leadership for UNICEF’s humanitarian policy and response to emergencies, including public health emergencies and pandemic preparedness.

The role also oversees UNICEF’s humanitarian supply operations and procurement services undertaken on behalf of governments and partners.

Emergency and Crisis Response

The position is responsible for helping ensure UNICEF can deliver effective responses during humanitarian crises and emergencies.

The DED also oversees engagement in the children and armed conflict agenda and works with other UNICEF leadership on children on the move, protection from sexual exploitation and abuse, disaster risk reduction, and the humanitarian-development-peace nexus.

Supply and Procurement Operations

The DED provides strategic oversight of UNICEF’s supply operations, including procurement, logistics and access to essential commodities.

The role aims to strengthen efficient, innovative and accountable supply systems that improve access to essential products and strengthen national systems.

Executive Management

The DED supervises and leads the work of:

• Office of Emergency Programmes
• Office of the Security Coordinator
• Supply Division

The position also guides Regional Directors and heads of field offices on emergency policy and operational matters.

The DED is expected to direct and manage assigned resources efficiently while following UNICEF rules, policies, procedures and standards. The role also promotes a working environment that values staff and supports high performance.

The position facilitates consultations with Member States and other partners and may undertake additional activities requested by the Executive Director. In the absence of the Executive Director, the DED assumes overall responsibility for UNICEF’s functioning.

Qualifications and Experience

This is a highly senior position intended for an experienced executive leader.

Candidates should have a distinguished record of progressively responsible leadership experience at senior executive level.

Education

Applicants must hold an advanced university degree, such as a Master’s degree or equivalent, in a relevant discipline.

Acceptable fields include:

• International relations
• Public administration
• Political sciences
• Business administration
• Related areas

Candidates should demonstrate:

• Strong leadership and management capability.
• Highly developed diplomatic and public-policy skills.
• Senior international managerial experience.
• A strong record of managing complex organizations and programmes.
• Experience with organizational strategy and development.
• Results-based management experience.

Humanitarian and Security Experience

Because the position covers humanitarian action and emergency operations, substantial experience in complex environments is required.

Applicants should demonstrate:

• A strong track record in leading humanitarian action in complex environments.
• Extensive experience leading and managing complex security situations.
• Knowledge of development and humanitarian issues and policies.
• Familiarity with the international humanitarian coordination architecture, including the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC).

Partnership, Diplomatic and Communication Skills

The successful candidate must be able to operate effectively in complex international environments.

The vacancy calls for experience in:

• Strategic partnership building.
• Advocacy.
• Results-oriented management.
• Negotiation and influencing.
• Network and partnership development.
• Multicultural and multi-ethnic environments.
• Inter-agency and cross-sectoral leadership teams.

Candidates should also have excellent political and diplomatic skills and the ability to analyze and translate complex issues from multiple sources into effective strategic action.

Language Requirements

Candidates need:

Fluency in English

and

Working knowledge of another official UN language.

Knowledge of the UN system and UNICEF’s work is also required, alongside an understanding of the international humanitarian coordination system.

The position also requires a willingness and ability to undertake extensive international travel, including assignments in humanitarian and emergency contexts.

UNICEF Core Values and Competencies

UNICEF states that its CRITAS values — Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability — underpin its work.

The competencies required for this post include:

• Builds and maintains partnerships
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
• Drives achievement of results for impact
• Innovates and embraces change
• Manages ambiguity and complexity
• Think and acts strategically
• Nurtures, leads and manages people

Location and Contract

Position Deputy Executive Director, Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations

UNICEF Employment Benefits and Important Conditions

UNICEF states that it offers a range of staff benefits, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. Reasonable accommodation is available throughout the recruitment process.

Appointments are subject to medical clearance, and the applicable visa requirement must be satisfied for international professional positions.

The organization also notes that international professional employment involves mobility and that staff may be called upon to support humanitarian responses.

Importantly, UNICEF does not charge any processing fee at any stage of recruitment and will not ask applicants for bank account information.

Application Deadline

The application deadline is:

7 September 2026 — Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).

Given the seniority of the position and the highly specialized requirements, candidates should ensure that their application clearly demonstrates executive leadership, humanitarian experience, international management, diplomatic capability and relevant knowledge of the UN system.

Final Thoughts

The UNICEF Deputy Executive Director, Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations position is a senior international leadership appointment based in New York. It combines responsibility for humanitarian policy and emergency response with oversight of supply, logistics and procurement operations across UNICEF’s work.

This is not an entry-level or mid-career vacancy. UNICEF is seeking an established executive leader with significant experience managing complex organizations, leading humanitarian action, handling security situations, building international partnerships and operating in demanding political and multicultural environments.

The successful candidate will also supervise major UNICEF operational offices and contribute directly to the organization’s institutional strategy and executive leadership.

The deadline is September 7, 2026, so qualified candidates should submit their applications through the official UNICEF recruitment portal before the closing time.