Programme Associate (Emergency Operations Center), G-6, Fixed Term Position, EMOPS, Rome, Italy (Multiple Fixed-Term Posts) (Open to EU Citizens or Valid Italian Work Permit Holders)

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job - it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to a Voice

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UNICEF’s Operations Centre supports this mandate by providing 24/7 real-time global situational awareness and crisis communication, enabling risk-informed decision-making across the organization. By maintaining a continuous picture of emerging and evolving situations, OPSCEN enables UNICEF’s efforts to support children and families and serves as a vital communication bridge between Headquarters and field offices.

This role is for professionals who are comfortable operating at the centre of a global organization. As an OPSCEN Associate, you will serve as a first point of contact for UNICEF personnel in the field and contribute to the team’s shared responsibility for maintaining situational awareness by ensuring the availability of real time data and reporting, in support of timely and coordinated action.

Following its relocation from New York to Rome, OPSCEN is entering an exciting new phase, with a clear vision to strengthen its role as UNICEF’s global emergency operations and crisis communication service. The work is delivered through a rotational shift system, ensuring continuity, predictable scheduling, and formal compensatory arrangements. The environment values professionalism, reliability, and mutual accountability; and those selected will undertake a structured onboarding and training period designed to ensure a clear understanding of OPSCEN’s internal guidelines, processes, tools, and expectations before independently assuming shift responsibilities.

This is a highly client-facing role that requires strong interpersonal skills, sound judgement, and discretion. Much of the work involves handling sensitive information and engaging professionally with senior management and emergency and security personnel. The role is ideal for professionals who are strongly committed to UNICEF’s mission and values and who take pride in contributing to a trusted global service that supports UNICEF offices and personnel during emergency and crisis situations.

The Programme Associate (Emergency Operations Center) position is based in the UNICEF Operations Center (OPSCEN). OPSCEN falls under the Office of Security Coordination (OSC), which is based at New York Headquarters, while it is physically located in Istanbul and operates as part of the Field Support Team within the Operational Field Support Unit of the Office of Emergency Programmes (EMOPS). The Programme Associate reports directly to the Emergency Officer P2 and receives secondary supervisory support from the OPSCEN Manager (Emergency Specialist) P3.

EMOPS provides strategic and coordinated support to Country Offices preparing for and responding to humanitarian crises, in line with UNICEF’s Strategic Plan and the Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action (CCCs). EMOPS leads the organization’s efforts to ensure that UNICEF’s role in emergencies (whether complex, protracted, or sudden -onset) is clearly defined, that the organization is equipped to fulfil that role, and that all levels of UNICEF are prepared to deliver on its humanitarian mandate.

Within this framework, the Office of Security Coordination (OSC) supports UNICEF’s ability to operate in all environments by enabling security risk-informed decision-making for programme delivery. OSC also engages with the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS) to help shape and implement policies that align with UNICEF’s unique operational requirements and commitment to reach children in need.

Since its establishment in January 1996, OPSCEN has served as a core enabler of EMOPS’ mission by providing 24/7 global information and communication services, beginning with its support to the Kosovo crisis in 1999. Its primary mission is to support UNICEF in delivering on its