LONG-TERM AGREEMENT: Senior Human Resources Consultant (Executive Screening and Assessment), Division of People and Culture (DPC), NYHQ/Home based

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, a champion.

Background

For over 70 years, UNICEF has been the world’s leader for children, working in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation and AIDS. UNICEF is funded by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. UNICEF’s focus areas, with an emphasis on equity for the most marginalized children, are Child Survival and Development, Basic Education and Gender Equality, HIV/AIDS and Children, Child Protection and Policy Advocacy and Partnerships. In view of the above context, it is important to attract, recruit and retain the right profile of senior leaders.

UNICEF Division of People & Culture (DPC) has embarked on a reform agenda to measurably improve UNICEF's ability to deliver results for children and young people. One of the primary goals of the reform is to achieve more effective leadership talent acquisition to ensure a flexible, highly skilled, competent and motivated workforce to deliver on organizational objectives. Assistant Representatives and Deputy Representatives play a critical role in inspiring, steering and motivating the workforce to achieve strategic results. Therefore, high importance is attached to the selection of the right senior staff in the right place at the right time.

Purpose of Assignment

UNICEF is strengthening its executive screening and assessment capacity to support recruitment activities for Assistant Representatives, Deputy Representative Programme and Deputy Representative Operations roles.

UNICEF is also preparing to launch the first Generic Vacancy Announcement (GVA) for the Deputy Representative Operations, P-4 and P-5 Talent Groups. A significant number of applicants are expected to undergo the screening and assessment process. In parallel, the same screening and assessment services will be utilized on a rolling basis to support regular Deputy Representative (Programme and Operations) recruitment processes.

Programme area and Objectives

The initial desk-review of applicants (long-listing) is performed by DPC. To ensure the suitability of long listed and shortlisted candidates against core values, competencies and specific eligibility criteria, DPC would like to engage several consultants who will be called upon as the need arises to provide in-depth screening and assessment services that can be flexibly deployed. 

This consultancy assignment is home-based, starting in Summer/Fall 2026.

Major tasks to be accomplished

Depending on the role, recruitment context, and business needs, a combination of the following assessment methodologies may be used. Not all assessment types will be applied in every recruitment process.

• Competency‑Based Interviews (CBI) - Structured interviews designed to assess behavioural evidence against UNICEF competencies and role‑specific requirements.
• Situational Judgement Tests (SJTs) - Assessment of candidates’ judgement and decision‑making in job‑relevant scenarios aligned to UNICEF values and leadership competencies.
• Case studies – Job‑relevant scenarios requiring candidates to analyse complex situations and propose solutions, designed to assess various leadership competencies, as well as relevant Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs).
• Tactical exercises – Time-bound, scenario based tasks focused on operational decision-making and prioritisation, designed to assess candidates’ ability to translate strategy into actionable steps in realistic contexts.
• Role Play exercises - Job‑relevant role play exercises to assess leadership behaviors, communication, problem‑solving skills, etc.
• Other Assessment Tools (as needed)

How can you make a difference?

The consultants will work with DPC Senior Leadership Support Team recruiters to accomplish the following tasks:

• In an iterative process, and with DPC’s input, use the UNICEF vacancy announcement(s), Job Description(s), leadership competencies, and established evalu