35 UNICEF Interview Questions & Answers
Behavioral
1. At UNICEF, our employees are guided by the eight competency areas detailed within our Competency Framework. Share how you display self-awareness and ethical awareness in your work.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
UNICEF wants to hire people who have not only read and identified with the eight areas of its Competency Framework but can also demonstrate positive examples of utilizing them in the workplace. Competency #2 addresses self-awareness and ethical awareness.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
How to Answer
Choose two specific instances in which you have shown your ability to be self-aware at work. These could be situations where you changed your behavior or acted on your strengths. Focus on ethical decisions you made that resulted in positive outcomes.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"In my previous position with a small, local nonprofit, I was required to take on many roles as an individual contributor and did not have a direct supervisor. As such, it was incumbent upon me to maintain a standard of excellence that would exceed the expectations of the leadership team. At the end of every week, I devoted an hour to cataloging all of the work I had accomplished and determining if I could improve my efficiency in any way. This practice heightened my sense of self-awareness in terms of time and project management."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"As a fundraiser, it is essential to maintain strong ethical standards when interacting with donors and managing their donations. When a donor requests that funds go towards a specific program, I ensure this is accomplished by meeting with our accounting director and the program representatives. I share with the donor the exact ways the money will be used and follow up with them to share the program results and impact. This ensures transparency and builds trust with the donor."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Behavioral
2. At UNICEF, our employees are guided by the eight competency areas detailed within our Competency Framework. How do you manage ambiguity and complexity in your job?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Competency Framework #5 addresses ambiguity and complexity at work. Nonprofits often deal with rapidly changing circumstances, and this is true of UNICEF, as it is one of the largest nonprofit organizations in the world. The interviewer wants to know that you can take initiative and succeed in the face of uncertainty.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
How to Answer
Share one example of a time you dealt with ambiguity in the workplace and one example of a time you thrived in a complex situation. Demonstrate your comfort and good judgment when faced with unprecedented, confusing, and/or difficult situations.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"Having worked for several tech start-ups in my early career, I am used to environments characterized entirely by ambiguity. As we developed our business plan, organizational structure, and client network, we had to be comfortable and maintain confidence in the face of ever-shifting circumstances. Nothing was certain except our belief in the mission of the organization and our pride in the products we delivered. Holding fast to persistence, confidence, and trust grounds me in times of ambiguity."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"As a creative thinker, I am motivated by complexity on the job. Embracing challenges as they come gives me purpose and a sense of accomplishment once I've sorted out how to address the complexity. As a program manager in my previous position at a local soup kitchen, I was tasked with providing shelf-stable meal boxes as an additional service for clients with limited mobility. However, this expense had to be subtracted from my current budget. I tapped into my network of corporate donors and managed to procure a sponsor for the shelf-stable boxes and maintained my operating budget for the fresh meals at the same time."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Behavioral
3. Have you ever had a conflict with a co-worker or manager? How did you resolve the conflict?
How to Answer
It is important to be transparent about any conflicts you may have had in the past with co-workers or managers. Do not pretend that you have never encountered conflicts in the workplace. However, emphasize that you overcame the conflict with that specific individual and explain how it improved your professional relationship in future encounters.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Pro Tip
This is another opportunity to emphasize your familiarity with UNICEF's Competency Framework, specifically the one regarding self-awareness. Show how you altered your behavior or realized your faults in the given situation. Do not be negative when describing your co-worker's or manager's behavior.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"Based on my reading of UNICEF's Competency Framework, Competency #5 stresses the importance of self-awareness at work. In my opinion, self-awareness plays a vital role in managing conflicts. When I first started my nonprofit career, I was very headstrong and stubborn in my belief that I knew the most efficient process for coordinating mass fundraising mailers. To me, this meant eliminating handwritten notes. One of my co-workers thought it was critical to personalize the letters by having our CEO sign each one; doing so had always boosted donation numbers in the past and had offset the time spent handwriting. This disagreement led to an individual meeting between the co-worker and myself. In that meeting, she shared reports from previous fundraisers detailing a direct correlation between personalization and increased donations. I became aware of my ignorance of the subject and learned to ground my desire to innovate in collaboration. I also learned how to show humility instead of stubbornness, which I believe is key to conflict resolution."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"I believe conflicts are often the result of miscommunication; as such, conflicts can be overcome by clearly explaining your reasons for making a particular decision and actively listening to your co-workers as they explain theirs. This requires the ability to never take anything personally and be open to compromise. As my fundraising team planned a special event a few years ago, there were many conflicting ideas for its location. The team could not agree, and each member became frustrated when another shot down their idea. As the Fundraising Director, I gave each member of the team five minutes to explain the reason behind their location choice and asked the other members to listen carefully during their explanation. We then determined that the team had mutual concerns related to the distance and cost of the location. From there, we were able to compromise and find a location with a reasonable travel time to-and-from our service area for a cost within our budget."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Discovery
4. Policy and field research are critical in advancing UNICEF's global work and informing its advocacy efforts. Talk about your experience contributing to policy and/or field research.
How to Answer
Consider any contributions you have made toward advocating for social policies and/or field research. Share the specific results of your efforts.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Pro Tip
Share specific data points from your results, and emphasize the role evaluation played in your research. It will be especially advantageous if you have experience in international field research or working with government officials at any level to advocate for policy changes.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"During my tenure as president of our local law enforcement review board, I stressed the importance of bringing data to city council meetings when we were presenting requests for systemic changes to community policing. I assigned members of our board to canvas their neighborhoods, which accounted for a majority of the city's population, and ask citizens what they believed would improve public safety. These face-to-face interactions ensured that we captured relevant data to justify our requested changes in front of the city council."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"As a passionate advocate for immigrant rights, I believe in treating everyone with dignity and respect, and that means listening to their stories and learning from them directly what they believe should change in the American immigration system. Along with members of my pro bono legal group, I traveled to the southern border and conducted interviews with people waiting to gain entry. After hearing their stories, we returned and published an op-ed in our state newspaper demanding an audience with the governor. We persisted until he agreed to our demands to make a public call for humanitarian treatment of individuals at the border."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Discovery
5. Why do you want to work at UNICEF?
How to Answer
This is a standard interview question for any company, but for an organization like UNICEF, your response needs to connect to the organization's vision, mission, and values. Nonprofits want to hire passionate people who will be dedicated to the cause.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Avoid This
Avoid making generalized statements and using vague language to describe your desire to make a change in the world. Be specific about why you want to work towards protecting the rights of children around the world.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"I spent the first decade of my career as a history teacher. At that time, I understood the history of education in the United States. After gaining advanced degrees in education and switching careers, I began working in education advocacy, petitioning local and state governments to improve education funding in our areas. Because of this work, I witnessed first-hand the inequities that affect children in my own country. I have the ambition to take this work further and fight for the rights of children all around the world. When I discovered UNICEF's vision 'to create a world where the rights of every child are realized,' I knew I had found my calling."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"I have worked for the past twenty years building a program in my state that empowers girls and young women to realize their potential and become leaders in their schools and communities. The way they have embraced challenges and worked hard to achieve their goals given the right resources has inspired me and lit a fire in me to see this work enacted on a larger scale. That program now has a dedicated, driven staff, and I have been looking for ways to advance the cause globally. When I discovered UNICEF's holistic work with girls all over the world, I felt I had discovered what I was meant to do. It would be an honor to use my knowledge and experience to advance the mandate to 'advocate for the protection of children's rights.'"
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Discovery
6. Tell me something unique about yourself that is not included on your resume.
How to Answer
Pick something you haven't mentioned thus far in your interview. Whatever you pick should demonstrate the versatility and diversity of your interests.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Pro Tip
Whatever you choose to talk about, connect it to the specific job for which you are applying. Your answer will be even stronger if it relates to the mission of UNICEF in some way.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"I spent half a year living at an orphanage in Tanzania. During my time there, I tutored the boys in English speaking skills, helped them with their community garden, and joined them in countless basketball games. I not only developed important relationships and learned a great deal about the country, but I also learned first-hand about the struggles of children living on the streets. This experience was the root of my desire to work in advocacy for children."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"When I was eight years old, I joined a pen pal program that connected me with a girl my age living in the Phillippines. We wrote back and forth, excitedly sharing about our lives and explaining elements of the cultures of our home countries. Although we no longer hand-write letters, we maintain communication digitally. This friendship has taught me the importance of connecting with people whose lives and experiences are different from our own. I believe this is the first step in opening yourself up to becoming an advocate for others."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
User-Submitted Answer
"I did outstanding innovation when I was in ACF. I collected year CLTS data where the program was implemented by ACF in different provinces. I wrote a good CLTS capitalization report, and I documented all good and poor lessons learned and I shared them with HQ which was much appreciated by them. The ACF Afghanistan program and management decided to consider the documented lesson learned in the next proposal (e.g., length of the program from 6 months to 9 to 12 months and hired more local staff as CLTS facilitators) to understand the context. Management decided to attach this report as an annex for the CLTS proposal to prove the required changes for donors."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Marcie Wilmot Reviewed the Above Answer
ACF? CLTS? What do these stand for? Make sure your answer is 100% clear even to someone who isn't in the same industry. Otherwise, it's great that you consider yourself to be innovative. The interviewer will undoubtedly be happy to hear that. Nice job!
Discovery
7. How do you relate to the values of UNICEF professionally?
How to Answer
UNICEF lists its core values as "care, respect, integrity, trust, and accountability." The organization breaks these down further into its Competency Framework, referenced in other questions in this set. It is important to show your connection to these values by choosing one or two to explore in greater detail.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Impress the interviewer by naming all of the values espoused by UNICEF. However, you should only dig deeper into a few in your answer. Talk about how you have shown care, respect, integrity, trust, or accountability in specific situations in the workplace.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"Although I strongly believe in the importance of all of UNICEF's values of care, respect, integrity, trust, and accountability, 'respect' is one value I hold especially dear. As a nonprofit professional for over a decade, I have come to realize the necessity of treating all clients with respect. This goes deeper than simple kindness; instead, this means a real commitment to honoring one's humanity in every interaction. For example, our food and shelter programs typically provided whatever food we could afford within our given budget. However, we failed to assess our clients' satisfaction with the food. I coordinated an effort to meet each client face-to-face and ask them how they would change the program. As a result, I learned the nutritional value of the food we provided was not meeting their needs, so I was able to hire a contract dietician to advise us on changes to the menu that would fulfill most of our clients' suggestions. When we approach those we serve with true respect, we can become better service providers and make changes that are needed."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"I believe every individual working towards the betterment of children's lives should hold fast to the values of care, respect, integrity, trust, and accountability. As a financial management professional, 'accountability' is an extremely important value. For fifteen years, I have helped businesses ensure their accounts are accurate and balanced. In that time, I have learned that businesses can make or break their reputations based on their financial situations; for nonprofits, this reputation is closely tied to transparency and appropriate stewardship of donated funds. I am eager to use my commitment to financial accountability to advance the cause of improving the lives of children around the world."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Discovery
8. About which area of UNICEF's work are you the most passionate?
How to Answer
This is another great opportunity to show what you know about the focus areas of UNICEF's programs. There are nine major focus areas listed on their website: child protection and inclusion, child survival, education, social policy, emergencies, gender, and innovation for children, supply and logistics, and research, evidence, and analysis. Pick one or two of these areas and elaborate on the reasons you feel connected to them professionally and personally.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
What to Avoid
Do not merely list the major focus areas. Show a deeper understanding of how UNICEF administers its work in those areas and the results they achieve.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"As an International Relations and Public Administration double-major, I was extremely excited to read about UNICEF's work with social policy. My senior thesis focused on working with the local government in a small Turkish town to develop a plan to gradually expand its capacity to fully fund its pre-k and elementary schools. I understand this position deals directly with the Child-Friendly Cities Initiative, and I would be thrilled to contribute my knowledge and experience in local governance to advance this project."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"As Project Manager for a home rebuilding and community development nonprofit in New Orleans, I have significant experience administering disaster aid in the immediate and long-term aftermath of a natural disaster. Since Hurricane Katrina devastated our city in 2005, I have rebuilt hundreds of homes, working closely with the families to ensure their voices were not only heard but listened to. When the federal government stopped providing aid, I began raising funds to continue this work and eventually joined efforts with a nonprofit dedicated to rebuilding the community. I have the passion and the skills, and I would embrace the chance to bring these to an organization that relieves children in times of humanitarian emergencies and disasters."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Discovery
9. UNICEF is a global agency with presence in over 190 countries. What experience do you have working in the area of international aid?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This question is designed for interviewees seeking management or leadership positions. They are looking for people who understand the complexities of conducting research, dispersing aid, and running programs abroad.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
How to Answer
Share specific work experiences that required you to work internationally or with international clients. Also, discuss any job functions that dealt with the specific area of international aid. If you have not worked directly in this area, share the experiences you have had that qualify you to take on a position related to this.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"I served as Director of International Relations during my time in the healthcare industry. In that capacity, I was responsible for overseeing the formation of dozens of field offices in South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. As such, I was required to not only participate in but also to develop and implement cultural sensitivity training for my staff. I also ensured we hired people native to each region in which we opened offices to maintain trust within the community and receive honest, authentic input directly from those we were serving."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"Although I have not directly worked with administering aid to international regions, I frequently advise international clients on issues of financial management in my role as Accounting Manager with my current NGO. I have maintained strong relationships with clients from dozens of countries across four continents and helped them make investment decisions that directly benefit nonprofits whose missions they feel close to."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Discovery
10. Are you proficient or fluent in any second languages? If so, what are they?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
UNICEF operates in over 190 countries around the world. As such, UNICEF stakeholders are from diverse backgrounds and speak dozens of languages. The ability to speak more than one language proficiently or fluently will help your chances of being hired.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
How to Answer
Mention any languages that you speak proficiently or fluently. Talk about how long you have spoken these languages, in what capacity, and how knowing these languages improved communication with co-workers, clients, donors, and partners.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"In my work as a case manager assisting refugees and asylum-seekers, I primarily interacted with Spanish-speaking clients who were looking for assistance with complex housing and employment issues. Because I minored in Spanish in college and had the opportunity to work abroad in Mexico for three years, I am fluent in Spanish. This skill not only made it easier to communicate with the clients, but it made them feel more comfortable in a stressful situation."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"Although I am not fluent in any second language, I consider myself proficient in Portuguese, German, and Afrikaans. Language learning is a hobby I'm very passionate about, and I use the Duolingo application every day to maintain and improve my abilities. In my experience volunteering at an orphanage in Uganda, I have seen how communicating with someone in their native language breaks down barriers and helps establish lasting connections."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Management
11. Think about a supervisor or manager who made a positive impression on you. In your opinion, what qualities and characteristics contributed to their success, and what did you learn from their management style?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer wants to know about your management style and how well you observe and identify positive characteristics in others. This is an important skill as a leader or even an individual contributor on a team.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
How to Answer
Talk about a supervisor or manager to answer the interviewer's specific question. However, spend the majority of your answer showing how you embraced what you learned from them and applied those lessons in specific ways at work.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"When I worked as a volunteer coordinator at my previous organization, I reported to the Community Engagement Officer. At the time, I was idealistic and passionate about our cause, but this idealism was not tempered by realism or practicality. I developed several new volunteer opportunities to boost our community support, but my supervisor carefully demonstrated how to use data to determine which volunteer opportunities would provide the greatest benefit to us. Her patience and willingness to participate in honing my thought process helped me work more efficiently and molded me into the leader I am today. Now, when I have new employees, I sit down with each of them, share my openness to hearing new ideas, and make sure they feel comfortable working together to turn those ideas into workable options for our organization."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"My first supervisor after graduating college had four decades of experience in nonprofit administration and had served in every imaginable leadership role, from Director of Development to Chief Operating Officer. She was honest but never rude. She wanted to conduct thorough cost-benefit analyses before exploring new program options, but she welcomed these discussions as essential to delivering life-saving services in the area of women's reproductive rights. She was passionate yet measured. I admired her and emulated her example in the work I have done since. In my communications with co-workers and managers, I am respectful and clear. I want to talk things all the way through before implementing new ideas. I am also mission-driven, which guides my ability to make smart decisions on behalf of the organization."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Management
12. At UNICEF, our employees are guided by the eight competency areas detailed within our Competency Framework. As a manager, how have you nurtured and led team members to success?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
"Nurtures, leads, and manages people" is #8 of UNICEF's Competency Framework. This competency is unique for individuals interviewing for management and/or leadership positions. The interviewer wants to know about your experience and skills when it comes to managing a team.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
How to Answer
Highlight qualities and characteristics that are unique to your management style. In addition, be sure to provide some insight into how you foster a productive environment and support employees' professional development.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"As a manager, I believe strongly in the importance of communication. Transparency is key in building trust within a team, as is making my employees feel comfortable talking to me about concerns, questions, or challenges. I work hard to ensure each team member feels heard and listened to. I meet with team members on a weekly basis and ask how they are doing if they have any new ideas related to our fundraising activities. During team meetings, I share some of these ideas to discuss together as a group and give acknowledgment to individuals. When each team member feels empowered as an individual, they are more likely to contribute to the team's work as a whole."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"Professional development is an essential aspect of my strategy for team building and supporting each employee's continued growth. As such, I would be eager to utilize UNICEF's AGORA application to supplement any workshops, training, and team-building programs in which we participate together. I have led several accounting teams in the past, and each time I show how invested I am in their professional development, the result is a greater commitment to the work we are doing."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Operational
13. How can you incorporate UNICEF's AGORA resource in a role as manager or individual contributor?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
AGORA is UNICEF's global, digital learning hub that caters to UNICEF employees, partners, and supporters. There are hundreds of modules designed to enhance the user's understanding of the plethora of issues children face around the world. Each staff person at UNICEF is required to complete regular development training using AGORA. You should be familiar with this important tool going into your interview.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
How to Answer
Show the interviewer you have read through AGORA's catalog to see what it offers in terms of content and functionality. Pick one or two modules to discuss when you explain how you would incorporate it into staff development as a manager or as professional development for yourself as an individual contributor.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"I was excited to see the breadth of options available in AGORA's e-learning modules for professional development. As a manager, I am always seeking ways to grow my team's knowledge and expose them to updated information relative to their areas of expertise. In my role as Chief Strategy and Planning Officer, I am especially interested in the modules focused on strategic partnerships. I completed the module called Fraud Awareness for Face-to-Face Fundraisers, and I think implementing this kind of training on a monthly basis will help keep staff aware of potential instances of fraud as we work to solidify partnerships for the financial benefit of UNICEF."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"I spent the past five years working as a nutritionist with a free healthcare clinic devoted to individuals with limited resources. With limited staff, we are always seeking ways to expand our knowledge and abilities and avail ourselves of professional development opportunities when they become available. As such, I was thrilled to discover the nutrition modules in AGORA's catalog. If I were hired as External Nutrition Specialist, I would eagerly utilize these modules, particularly the ones sharing updated information about public health and maintaining nutrition standards for children in emergencies."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Operational
14. UNICEF wants employees to have strong institutional knowledge in order to be able to spread awareness of the organization's work accurately. What is the difference between UNICEF and UNICEF USA?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer wants to know that you understand the function of the organization for which you are interviewing. UNICEF implements the United Nations General Assembly's mandate "to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential." UNICEF USA supports this mission through fundraising, advocacy, and education.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Pro Tip
Show that you have done your research! UNICEF works in over 190 countries around the world. Each country office reports to one of seven regional offices in East Asia and the Pacific, Eastern and Southern Africa, Europe and Central Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East and North Africa, South Asia, and West and Central Africa. 85% of UNICEF staff work in field offices. There are 33 national committees, including UNICEF USA. These committees work on fundraising, advocacy, and education on behalf of UNICEF.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"Having examined UNICEF's mission, values, and vision, I am motivated by its mandate to advocate for children's rights, provide basic needs, and expand their potential. As a professional fundraiser, I know that I can contribute to UNICEF USA's work to support UNICEF's mission through creative and expansive fundraising."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"UNICEF USA provides fundraising, advocacy, and educational support to boost UNICEF's greater mission of fighting for the rights of children around the world. Because of my background in immigration advocacy work, I understand the profound importance of UNICEF USA. Since I am applying for a position with UNICEF's field office in Vietnam, I am excited about the possibility to return to my roots in a region where my parents were born and raised. I believe my connection to the area and my knowledge of local government structures make me uniquely positioned to take on this role."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Scenario
15. You have conducted prospect research on a potential new donor and determined they have a high giving capacity. Share your pitch to secure a meeting with this new partner.
How to Answer
This is an opportunity to highlight your skills in delivering a carefully crafted pitch to solidify new strategic partnerships. Include information about UNICEF when presenting your pitch.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Pro Tip
This is a question regarding setting up an initial encounter. Show that you are knowledgeable about the potential partner and share a unique story about your organization that catches their interest based on what you know about them already.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"First, I would send a physical letter of introduction discussing UNICEF's mission and explaining how it coincides with the potential partner's mission. I would keep my initial message short but impactful. In this example, I would invite Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to participate in a multilateral partnership called Global Programme Partnerships (GPP), in which agencies work together to achieve equity for children. As an organization dedicated to improving access to immunization for children, I would emphasize that there is a natural connection between Gavi and UNICEF and politely inquire if they would be interested in meeting with me face-to-face to discuss this further."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"If I were working in this position, I would focus my efforts on securing new corporate partnerships based on my network of corporate connections in the technology industry. I would mail a letter of introduction and follow-up with a phone call immediately. In my years of working in strategic partnerships, I have learned the value of a phone call in securing initial meetings, as well as the importance of meeting face-to-face in solidifying these connections. Whoever the corporate partner might be, I would highlight the benefits of partnering with UNICEF, which include uniting and inspiring employees, increasing brand awareness, and making a social impact. I have found these strategic for first-time engagement to be effective, and so far, it has yielded hundreds of new partnerships for organizations with whom I have worked."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Situational
16. Talk about a time you disagreed with a decision made by your manager or supervisor. How did you address this situation?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Disagreement is a fact of working life, and it is guaranteed to happen at some point in any industry. Although nonprofit employees are mission-driven, they do not always agree on the best ways to work towards advancing that mission. The interviewer wants to see that you can handle disagreement professionally.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Avoid This
Avoid negativity when answering this question. Simply explain the steps you took to bring your disagreement to your manager or supervisor's attention. Then, share how your manager or supervisor reacted and how you worked together to address the situation.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"Part of my role working with a private foundation is to read through grant proposals and choose a finalist group that followed the proposal guidelines and closely aligned with our foundation's mission to fund organizations addressing mental health issues. There are several mental health-focused nonprofits in our city, so my supervisor wanted me to focus on the ones addressing men's mental health issues. However, the vision of our founder explicitly stated his desire to improve the lives of children dealing with these kinds of struggles. I requested a private meeting with my supervisor and politely shared my belief that letting the mission and vision guide our selections would give our foundation clear direction and allow us to share legitimate reasons for any proposal rejections. My supervisor agreed with this, and I was able to filter for children's groups."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"Every year, my organization hosts an inter-faith gathering that brings together faith leaders and religiously-affiliated agencies from around the city to discuss their community work and engage in thoughtful discussions about how to properly address increasing violent crime. My manager was responsible for procuring panelists for a conversation about oversight for local law enforcement and had selected individuals primarily representing the Protestant Christian faith. During a planning session, I respectively voiced my suggestion that we include Jewish, Catholic, Muslim, Mormon, Buddhist, and other representatives to accurately reflect the demographics of our city, as well as our supporters. My manager liked this idea, and I met with him privately later to share some specific suggestions for individuals I knew who might like to be involved with this event."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
User-Submitted Answer
"When I was with Save the Children I led WASH programs at the country level. There was a call for a proposal from AHF. I was assigned by the program quality unit of WASH to lead the proposal development process. During the proposal development process, I was asked by the supervisor to include CLTS components in the proposal. I showed my disagreement because I was part of the AHF CRC committee and I was fully aware of the nature of AHF funds. Therefore, I disagreed and explained to him that CLTS is a more developed activity and AHF is more of an emergency fund for life-saving activities. After a long discussion and explanation, he agreed with me to not include this activity in the proposal and that the proposal should design and focus more on the emergency component to reduce the possible risk of rejection of the proposal by the review committee."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Marcie Wilmot Reviewed the Above Answer
Great example! It shows that you're willing to express your disagreement with a manager but will do so in a respectful and thoughtful way. Consider, however, eliminating or explaining the acronyms used throughout your response. Remember that the interviewer might not know what they all mean, and it's your responsibility to make sure your answer is as clear and direct as possible. Good job!
Situational
17. UNICEF offers a number of volunteer opportunities to support its diverse work around the world. Do you have experience recruiting volunteers? How would you recruit volunteers for UNICEF?
How to Answer
Come prepared to talk about UNICEF's volunteer opportunities listed on their website. UNICEF seeks dedicated, skilled volunteers who can make solid commitments to their work. If you have experience recruiting volunteers, share how that experience would inform your ability to recruit for UNICEF.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Pro Tip
If you do not have experience recruiting volunteers, be honest. Talk about skills you have that would apply to recruitment, and explain in detail how you would use those skills to recruit volunteers for UNICEF.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"I am aware that UNICEF primarily partners with the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) for its volunteer efforts. Based on my examination of the UNV website, the organization is seeking volunteers who are specialists and professionals in their fields. For example, a social worker with NGO experience might be selected to become a program specialist at a refugee camp in Palestine. To attract high-quality candidates to fill these volunteer positions, I would utilize my vast network to partner with institutions of higher learning and recruit from specific departments."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"I understand that UNICEF USA mainly supports advocacy, education, and fundraising efforts through volunteers located there. There is a great amount of diversity in these activities; as a volunteer recruiter, I know that there must also be diversity in my approach to recruiting more volunteers. In the past, I have successfully utilized social media in my efforts to attract new volunteers from Generation Z. I would expand this approach by leaning into UNICEF's already impressive social media following and partnering with influencers relevant in popular culture. This strategy can exponentially increase UNICEF's visibility and will not only result in a greater number of volunteers but also potentially new donors."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Situational
18. How do you maintain strong relationships with international clients and/or co-workers?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
UNICEF maintains a consistent presence in over 190 countries around the world. This includes dozens of countries with national committees working to bolster UNICEF's financial resources, spread awareness of its mission, and educate people on issues affecting children. The interviewer wants to know that you are comfortable and skilled at maintaining relationships with people living in other countries.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
How to Answer
Emphasize any experience you have that illustrates your cultural competency and sensitivity. Unless you are applying for a job at a specific field office, you don't necessarily know what countries you will be interacting with. Talk about how you take the initiative to educate yourself on unfamiliar cultures and how that affects your ability to maintain relationships with international clients and/or co-workers.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"As a freelance English as a Second Language (ESL) instructor, I maintain a portfolio of roughly fifty regular students that I teach privately. I also offer corporate ESL training to employees working with international clients. Since I work with students from over a dozen countries, I must constantly educate myself on customs, etiquette, and current events to develop a sincere, respectful relationship. This has allowed students to trust me, and they are therefore more open to the language acquisition process."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"Communication is key when it comes to developing and maintaining relationships with people you may have never spoken to in person. A virtual environment has different challenges than a real-world encounter, but it also has opportunities. In a virtual setting, you can easily connect with someone thousands of miles away, and you must do so regularly. I always check a client's time zone and coordinate my communications accordingly. I want to be respectful of the time of day and connect frequently enough that I am a consistent presence."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Situational
19. Share a time you successfully met a challenging fundraising goal.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This will be an essential topic if you are applying for a fundraising position. UNICEF raises billions of dollars each year to fund its programs. Its website breaks this down further: "In 2020, total contributions to UNICEF were over US$7 billion. The public sector contributed the largest share: US$5.45 billion from government, inter-governmental and inter-organizational partners, as well as Global Programme Partnerships." The interviewer wants to know that you are a talented, experienced fundraising professional capable of meeting large goals.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
How to Answer
Share an instance in which you achieved a large fundraising goal, and talk about the steps you took to meet the deadline. To enhance your answer, describe the impact those funds had on your organization.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"In my capacity as Major Gifts Officer, I am required to raise the most significant amount of funds to cover our annual operational and programmatic costs. This position also requires me to work on expanding donations to our endowment. During the economic recession in 2008, donations dropped as people were dealing with the financial crisis. As a result, I was nearly $100,000 shy of my annual fundraising target. With only two months left in the fiscal year, I issued a challenge to each member of the fundraising team to identify current donors whose giving potential might not be fully realized. We curated a list of over a dozen individuals, and I called each of these people personally. I was honest about the situation and shared that the $100,000 would provide shelter for hundreds of families in addition to utility assistance as we approached the hottest months of the year. I was able to secure pledges exceeding $100,000, which helped me meet the target."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"Every year, the fundraising team develops line items to anticipate specific ways we will reach our ultimate fundraising goal. As social media manager, I was responsible for using each of our social media pages to raise a total of $10,000. I had never been assigned a fundraising target of more than $5,000, so I had to get creative with smaller campaigns. I analyzed current trends specific to Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to determine the best ways to gather followers and influencers to spread awareness of the organization. These posts offered a variety of content to appeal to different demographics. I shared client stories, program results with data, and challenges designed to increase donations and garner new followers. All of these individual strategies added up to a yearly total of $15,000. I was able to meet the goal and convert followers into real-life supporters."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Situational
20. How do you believe employees can be constant advocates for UNICEF's mission?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
A major part of UNICEF's mission is to advocate for the rights of children around the world. This advocacy work takes the form of working with governments on social policy changes that will positively affect the lives of children. Even if your work does not specifically involve advocacy, you can still be an advocate for UNICEF's mission. The interviewer wants to know how you can do that.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
How to Answer
Word-of-mouth is any nonprofit organization's friend, so try to think of a few more creative ways to advocate for UNICEF's mission. Some ideas include leveraging social media, being a passionate and knowledgeable representative in all interactions with stakeholders, volunteering in your free time with local causes benefiting children, etc.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"Aside from the direct advocacy work I would be doing with local government officials in rural villages in Vietnam, I would conduct myself at all times as a professional representative of UNICEF. I have shared UNICEF's social media fundraisers in the past and have used my personal blog to share some of the results of its efforts to improve children's access to clean water in that country. I would continue to spread awareness of the work UNICEF is doing through the medium of social media."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"Although the position I am interviewing for is not directly related to advocacy work, I know that I can educate people in my life about the important work UNICEF does to assist children around the world. In my free time, I volunteer with an afterschool arts program that teaches children how to express themselves through visual art. This work supplements the education they receive, gives them an artistic outlet for self-expression, and provides them with a safe place to go after school and during the summertime. Living out the part of UNICEF's mission to expand opportunities for children to reach their full potential is just one way I can be a constant advocate for the work of UNICEF."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Situational
21. How do you manage your workload so that you can meet tight deadlines?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Time management questions are common in any interview. Nonprofits seek employees who are excellent at managing their time because they often have multiple last-minute deadlines to meet. You must have strong time management skills to be considered for any position in a large organization like UNICEF.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
How to Answer
Share the strategies you employ to meet tight deadlines. Then, talk about one or two situations in which effective time management resulted in the completion of an essential project or task by the deadline.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"As a project manager, I am accustomed to balancing multiple projects with similar deadlines. As a visual learner, I have to write everything out on a physical calendar in my office, as well as maintain a tidy digital calendar to share with essential members of each project. This way, I can visualize the deadline and prioritize complex larger tasks. I used this method recently to schedule and roll out our organization's new mobile application."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"I believe in keeping a steady flow of manageable work to slowly inch towards a goal or deadline and give myself a few days of wiggle room to account for any setbacks or delays. In my experience in the nonprofit world, I have learned to expect the unexpected. Recently, I was preparing an accounting report for a semiannual audit and simultaneously managing a reworking of our direct deposit system. When the auditor showed up five days earlier than expected, I had to adjust my timeline. Because I gave myself a few additional days to complete the direct deposit project, I was able to pause and meet the auditor's request immediately."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Situational
22. When have you experienced failure in the workplace, and how did you react?
How to Answer
Failing well is just as important as succeeding. As with any industry, nonprofit employees should learn and grow from failure. Demonstrate your ability to fail gracefully, assess why the failure occurred, and move forward constructively.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Avoid This
Avoid being negative about yourself and others. Show that you can accept responsibility for your role in the failure of a project, event, or fundraising goal.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"When I first started working at my current organization, I was responsible for receiving, sorting, dispersing, and acknowledging donations such as clothing, non-perishable food items, and diapers. At the time, I believed it was best to accept all donations so that we would be able to provide people with a greater quantity of items. However, I failed to consider that we should be more selective with the items we receive. One week, we would have fans available for free, and the next week, we would not. People would come looking for a fan, having heard we carried them, only to find we only had fans for that one week. So, I carefully curated a list of in-kind donations we could accept, process, and disperse. This gave our program greater consistency and allowed us to be more reliable for our clients. I try never to dwell on my failures except to learn and grow from them. This was one of those experiences!"
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"Several years ago, I was in charge of implementing a fundraising event that involved local celebrities playing in a baseball game. I had a slate of celebrities lined up for the event. However, I did not have any backup players scheduled in case a celebrity had to drop out of the event at the last minute. This ended up happening, and a volunteer graciously offered to fill the spot. I learned from that experience to always have a Plan B in case something does not go as planned. In my work, I want to be honest with others, but I also want to be honest with myself so that I understand why I made a mistake or failed to meet a goal. This will allow me to perform better in the future."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Situational
23. At UNICEF, our employees are guided by the eight competency areas detailed within our Competency Framework. Please share your perspective on the role of collaboration and teamwork as it relates to this position.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
UNICEF lists "works collaboratively with others" as #7 on its Competency Framework. The interviewer wants to know two things: 1) That you understand the essential functions of the job, and 2) That you welcome collaboration and can contribute positively in a team setting.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Avoid This
Avoid generic answers on the importance of teamwork. Instead, share specific instances that illustrate your professional teamwork experience and how you work well with others.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"As I will potentially be joining the donor operations team, I fully anticipate and am excited about the opportunity to work closely with fellow passionate professionals dedicated to being excellent stewards of the donations we receive. Having worked with donor acknowledgment for over ten years, I have learned the importance of clear communication with others on the team to ensure timely acknowledgment and accurate records in our database. In the past, we have established procedures together to deliver consistent results by specified deadlines, which includes processes for high-volume times or situations where team members might be out of the office. As such, I thrive working on team-based projects and get a lot of joy from working to improve team dynamics."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"Having worked on several different teams with my current organization, I believe I have the unique ability to make sure every member of the team not only feels heard but is actually listened to. To accomplish this, I take careful notes on everything each individual suggests in team meetings. I summarize each person's ideas and send them out to the entire team. We then think about these ideas throughout the following week and discuss them again in the next meeting, choosing which ones to implement together. I truly believe collaboration fosters the best ideas for moving a team forward and builds confidence and excitement. I hope to bring my passion and experience as a member of the UNICEF communications team."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
User-Submitted Answer
"As a WASH officer with UNICEF in Western Region, based on my experience and my current role I have the capacity to work with others e.g., the UNICEF team, WASH implementing partners, and WASH cluster members in the region. In the current example as an emergency focal point and cluster coordinator in the region, I well managed the recent earthquake WASH response. I coordinated the response with UNICEF program officers, and I prepare with the support of the team one package from UNICEF committed assistance. And I coordinate with the cluster partners to avoid duplication and how to use the available in the proper way to the affected family's benefit and no one left behind.
The impact of this effort was.
Avoided duplication- WASH and Child protection both had plans to distribute buckets to the same beneficiaries.
Second, it was easier for the receiver in receiving assistance from one distribution point as mentioned in one package. Before each program distributed UNICEF supplies from their relevant IP stock. in addition, it was easier for the beneficiaries to receive assistance from the distribution point, and it safe time for UNICEF and the IP team as well of beneficiaries.
Was easier for UNICEF media team to cover and prepare good report photos and video clips."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Marcie Wilmot Reviewed the Above Answer
Nice! Be sure to make your answer as clear as possible. It sounds like you're discussing how several organizations or divisions came together to offer assistance after an earthquake, which is great. What specifically was your role in this? Consider elaborating on exactly how you contributed to this collaboration and connecting that to how you would act in this position. Good job!
Situational
24. At UNICEF, our employees are guided by the eight competency areas detailed within our Competency Framework. Share an experience from your past that demonstrates your ability to think and act strategically.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
UNICEF lists "thinks and acts strategically" as #6 on its Competency Framework. The ability to be strategic when it comes to decision-making is important in a nonprofit environment where resources are more limited.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
How to Answer
Strategic partnerships are an important part of UNICEF's operations, so focus your answer on how you would develop these. If you do not have experience in strategic partnerships, think of specific ways you have shown your ability to think strategically.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"As Director of Strategic Advancement with my agency, I am always thinking of new ways to leverage partnerships, technology, funding, and more to advance our mission in the community to end homelessness by 2050. In my position, I have successfully built relationships with fifty new partners whose pledges amount to nearly ten million dollars. I have coordinated our agency's technology upgrade to help workers operate more efficiently when serving clients. The increased funding will allow us to shift our thinking from a transitional housing model to a permanent one, which I think is the kind of strategic thinking required to meet our ambitious goal by 2050."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"I believe everyone must think strategically in any position in a company. As a talent acquisition manager, I understand that thinking outside the box is critical to progressing as an organization, and creative thinking must be measured by strategic thinking. For example, when we moved the human resource team to full-time remote work, we had to think of new ways to connect with and recruit people in a virtual environment. We had already been using professional social media sites, such as LinkedIn, but I started to look into digital skills-matching sites for volunteers as a new venture. We ultimately discovered we could connect with potential future employees by searching for them based on their passions and volunteer experiences. This allowed us to find a new pool of talented individuals who we knew were deeply connected to our mission already."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Situational
25. At UNICEF, our employees are guided by the eight competency areas detailed within our Competency Framework. Discuss a time you contributed to innovation or embraced change in the workplace.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
UNICEF lists "innovates and embraces change" as #4 on its Competency Framework. The interviewer wants to know that you are a creative thinker and can adapt when processes, programs, and procedures change.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
How to Answer
Show that you not only embrace change but can also be a catalyst for change that enhances the mission of the organization. Displaying a forward-thinking vision shows that you are committed to your work.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"In any position I have, I think about creative ways to improve the way we do things. Innovation is necessary because the world is always changing, and we have to adapt to those changes to continue to meet our goals and push the mission forward. For a few years, we had issues with our paid staff getting lost on their ways to make client assessment visits. For several years, we printed hardcopy route sheets for our staff. When I reviewed the process, I realized we were wasting a lot of money on paper and giving staff poor directions. I worked with our Chief Financial Officer to allocate some funding to procure a contract app development specialist who worked with program leaders to create an app that could optimize client routes. This saved us nearly $5,000 and eliminated instances of staff getting lost in the field."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"I believe that regular reflection on procedures is necessary to ensure that we are working as efficiently as possible. I manage a program that pairs volunteers with homebound seniors seeking companionship; the volunteers would call their 'phone buddy' once a week to talk about life and see if there was anything they needed. During a reflection session on program operations, volunteers informed me that they loved the opportunity, but they felt they could have more of an impact if they were each paired with more than one client. I embraced this idea wholeheartedly and worked with volunteers to develop a process for confidentiality training and scheduling calls. Ultimately, this change allowed us to include more seniors in the program."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Situational
26. At UNICEF, our employees are guided by the eight competency areas detailed within our Competency Framework. Talk about a past work experience that shows your ability to achieve results with maximum impact.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Competency #3 of UNICEF's Competency Framework is the "drive to achieve results for impact." The interviewer wants to know that you are a passionate and motivated worker who can make the largest impact with given resources.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Come prepared with data that illustrates your ability to achieve impactful results. For example, if you hit a fundraising goal and perhaps even surpassed it, share what that goal was and how you were able to achieve it.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"As a goal-oriented individual, I am driven and motivated by reaching and surpassing goals. Recently, our fundraising team was required to raise an additional $50,000 to support increased capacity for our rehousing program. I knew our regular donors had largely fulfilled their pledges for the fiscal year, so I amped up communication with new donors I had been meeting with recently. I discovered that one of these donors had lived in transitional housing as a child, and he wanted to give back to this specific program. He agreed to make the gift before the fiscal year ended, and he even donated an additional $5,000 to our endowment."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"The Special Events team had a goal last year of hosting four neighborhood cleanup events to allow engagement from individuals who worked during our typical weekday service hours. Our goal was to have fifty participants at each event. I partnered with a digital skills-matching organization that connected people seeking volunteer opportunities to unique events in the city. Because of this new partnership, we surpassed our goal and hosted nearly one hundred people at each of our four events."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Situational
27. At UNICEF, our employees are guided by the eight competency areas detailed within our Competency Framework. Discuss how you have demonstrated the ability to build and maintain relationships in your current or past positions.
How to Answer
Relationships are the core of any nonprofit. UNICEF lists "builds and maintains partnerships" as #1 on its Competency Framework. UNICEF employees maintain relationships with thousands of strategic partners, donors, volunteers, clients, etc. Share your approach to relationship management and the results you have seen from your efforts.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Pro Tip
Discuss the relationships with people that you have fostered from the start, whether you made initial contact or otherwise. Explain how those relationships benefited the organization with which you were employed at the time.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"As a fundraising professional, I have seen the importance of building strong relationships that lead to lifelong supporters of a cause. When I first began my fundraising career, I connected with a young businesswoman who reminded me of myself. She was ambitious and driven by the mission of supporting women's reproductive rights in our city. I invited her to lunch after meeting her at a Junior League event, and we formed an immediate bond over our shared passions. She was excited to learn about my organization's work, especially in the area of addressing teenage pregnancy. She became a consistent volunteer and donor. That was over twenty years ago, and she maintains her support to this day."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"As an advocate for better wages for the average worker, I have consistently spoken at City Council meetings and been in constant communication with local government officials to improve the quality of life for the hardworking residents of our city. I have discovered the value of developing strong working relationships with City Council members. Inviting each Council Member to tour our offices and explain in detail the work we are doing to advance the cause of workers' rights has resulted in a greater willingness on behalf of the council to act on our requests, and we have seen working conditions improve as a result."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
User-Submitted Answer
"1- Can you give an example of the ability to change"
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Marcie Wilmot Reviewed the Above Answer
To answer this question, think of a time when you developed a strong working relationship with a colleague, client, or manager within a job that you've held and discuss this. Talk about how you built trust and respect with the other person. Emphasize that you are friendly, personable, and trustworthy and that you recognize the importance of building and maintaining meaningful professional relationships.
Situational
28. Tell me about a time you had to implement actions steps towards a strategic plan objective.
How to Answer
Whether you are a project manager or have simply been involved in the implementation of a strategic plan, share your involvement in that process. Talk about the plan's overall goal, and then highlight the objectives to which you contributed.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Emphasize how you worked with co-workers assigned to the same objective. This question allows you to explore your ability to see the big picture and simultaneously pay attention to details. Think about your process toward achieving a goal and how you take the initiative to ensure success.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"As Special Events Director, part of my role in our five-year strategic plan to increase our organization's endowment was to create and implement two small annual special events and one major fundraising event in tandem with our sixtieth anniversary serving the community. To meet the objectives, I organized a task force from the Community Outreach team covering logistics and planning, fundraising, volunteer coordination, and corporate sponsorships. Together, we broke down our larger objectives into manageable pieces with individual deadlines and met weekly to summarize what we had accomplished that week and see if anything needed to be changed. This model allowed us to increase our fundraising efforts and deliver three new special events by the deadline."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"As Volunteer Recruitment Manager, my task was to increase our active volunteer numbers by ten percent over three years. This meant I was responsible for recruiting roughly 300 new, regular volunteers. This was about triple my typical recruitment numbers, so I studied data from our volunteer database to analyze the demographics of current volunteers. I discovered we lacked participation from college-aged adults, so I began to network with representatives from local colleges and universities. I partnered with several community service groups and developed special volunteer activities that worked better with college student hours. In addition, I met with our social media manager to make our accounts more attractive to that age group. This strategy allowed me to meet the overall goal of boosting volunteer participation in our organization."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Situational
29. Describe a time you had to explain a difficult or complex subject or concept to a coworker, employee, or stakeholder.
How to Answer
Being able to simplify complex ideas or concepts is an important skill, particularly in a leadership position. Demonstrating this ability in the interview will show you are gifted in communication.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
What to Avoid
Show that you are encouraging and patient in the process of helping someone understand something difficult. This will show the interviewer you can potentially train others or at least support their work.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"As I worked to transfer paper volunteer files into digital records, I realized this process could be completed by one of our daily administrative volunteers so I could focus on enhancing the capabilities of our digital database. The volunteer eagerly accepted the task, but he was not familiar with the process of scanning files into a PDF format. I patiently demonstrated the process and allowed him to ask questions. After we ran through the process a few times, he felt comfortable working alone. I truly believe strong training yields greater independence and improves efficiency in the workplace."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"When I present information to our board of directors in terms of our program results, I must speak concisely to convey the most relevant information in the clearest way possible. This means presenting complex data accurately to allow the board to make the best possible decision. Recently, our Meals on Wheels program wanted to partner with a national insurance agency to sponsor five hundred new clients and needed the board's approval. The contract was extremely complicated and required a dedicated staff person to carefully document each meal delivered and assess each recipient to ensure they met the qualification standards. I created a visual presentation that highlighted the key points of the contract and charted out our anticipated service numbers, showing how we planned to increase our capacity financially and in terms of staff time. The board was pleased with the proposal and approved the partnership."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Technical
30. What can we do to improve the UNICEF website?
How to Answer
You will be asked this question if you are interviewing for a position managing UNICEF's website (www.unicef.org). First, show that you have thoroughly examined the website by sharing some things you like about it. Next, talk about any ideas you have to improve its functionality and/or its content.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Avoid This
Avoid being negative about the website. Refer to any potential areas of improvement as "opportunities" and explain how those opportunities can benefit UNICEF.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"I believe www.unicef.org is a beautiful website visually. The color scheme is soft and inviting. The content is an excellent blend of program information, client and volunteer stories, advocacy work, current events, and informative data about UNICEF's work in hundreds of countries. I think there is an opportunity to add languages to the current selections of English, French, and Spanish to expand the website's accessibility to include stakeholders who speak Mandarin, German, Afrikaans, and more."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"UNICEF's main website, as well as its subsidiaries, is clean, easy to use, and delivers a great amount of vital information explaining the organization's mission, vision, and work. During the time I spent exploring the website, I was pleased to see many compelling videos supporting the written content. If I was managing the website, I would increase the amount of audiovisual material featured on the website, as studies have shown users are more likely to click through pages with intriguing videos. This tactic would appeal to many younger supporters and increase general engagement."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Technical
31. Talk about your experience using data to assess need. How did this data contribute to actionable change?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Leveraging accurate data to inform decision-making is an important skill in any professional environment. For nonprofits, data not only helps procure funding but also contributes to the growth and improvement of programs. At UNICEF, a large amount of data is gathered through field research and used to implement programs helping millions of children. Therefore, the interviewer wants to know that you have experience in gathering and analyzing data.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
How to Answer
Bring metrics to the interview table to answer this question. It might help to bring a one-sheet that shows data resulting from your research, program assessments, service numbers, etc. Explain what the data shows and how you were able to use it to make a positive difference in your organization's work.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"I prepared a brief report to share with you that tracks the number of active and one-time-only volunteers I recruited this past fiscal year. It includes information about the programs they served, the number of hours they served, and their impact on each program in terms of clothing units dispersed and clients aided. I have shared the estimated in-kind value of all their hours given and tracked the number of volunteers that became inactive over a year. By following these numbers, I can see which programs are the most popular amongst volunteers and use that knowledge in my recruitment efforts. I can also analyze trends in volunteer inactivity to discover patterns related to the time of year and perhaps available opportunities. Analyzing this data regularly helped me boost the volunteer program and ensure it was sustainable in the future."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"A deceased donor made a large bequest to our organization that enabled us to pursue expanding our program options serving seniors living in our community. As Client Advocacy Officer, I spearheaded an initiative to visit the homes of our registered clients and listen to their ideas for resources the community wants and needs. After collating the data, I determined that the majority of seniors living in the neighborhood were unable to find transportation for doctor appointments, hospital visits, and grocery runs. We used a portion of the bequest to purchase three minibusses and began running regular routes between client homes and these essential locations."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Technical
32. Describe a time you applied your technical knowledge and skills to resolve a situation.
How to Answer
Since UNICEF is one of the world's largest international nonprofit organizations, technology is critical in maintaining communication and operating effectively across time zones. Share details of your technical knowledge and skills and a time you used them to effectively solve a problem.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Pro Tip
Explain how you stay up-to-date on rapidly-evolving technology. New technology can be used to improve best practices, and your answer to this question will emphasize your willingness to take initiative in this area.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"As a communications expert, I believe it is essential to stay up-to-date on current technology and digital trends to enable the organization to spread awareness of its work. A few months after I was hired at my current organization, I realized that we shared a name with a restaurant in a different state. People on social media were sharing a negative viral video of the restaurant and accidentally tagging us in their posts. Because of my expertise using social media, I was able to quickly un-tag the posts and craft unique posts addressing the matter on each of our social media accounts using a light-hearted tone. Not only did this smooth over the situation, but it also gained us more followers and even yielded some donations for us."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"During my years as an IT specialist, I have had to stay aware of technology updates, not only as a matter of professional necessity but also to continue to build knowledge and expertise. When I first started working with local nonprofits, I discovered a great need for technology training. As such, in my first position as IT Director, I immediately developed a staff training session to share my knowledge of updated technology and talk about how it could support program efficiency. Once I had staff buy-in, I was able to present a proposal for purchasing new laptops for social workers and a rotation for training them individually. When the board accepted my proposal, I purchased the laptops and completed the training, and we were able to save social workers hours every week they could devote to advocating for clients."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Technical
33. UNICEF has a number of remote employees, interns, volunteers, partners, and clients. Discuss your familiarity with specific technology that aids in virtual communication.
How to Answer
Share the names of specific messaging applications that can be used for seamless communication with people you will contact on the job. Demonstrate how you utilize these applications to work more efficiently.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Pro Tip
UNICEF is well-funded and uses updated technology. If you have no experience using these kinds of applications, this is an opportunity to show that you are capable of quickly learning them by talking about past experiences in which you adapted to new technology.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"In my current position as an online English language instructor, I maintain consistent contact with clients from all around the world. As such, I am required to have an advanced understanding of messaging applications, video chats, and email to balance my workload and sustain client relationships. I use Skype forty hours a week to conduct lessons. Between lessons, I communicate with my supervisor via email and Skype chat."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"Since the entire marketing team has gone remote, we have had a learning curve in terms of communicating from our home offices. It is different working as a team when you are not together physically. Therefore, it is extremely important to utilize new technology to make communication as clear and fast as possible. My team uses Slack to discuss work on projects and provide updates on our daily tasks. We hold meetings over Zoom and even have WhatsApp groups for people who are working on small groups projects. I feel comfortable learning new technology quickly."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Technical
34. UNICEF attracts a large number of followers on its social media accounts. How would you expand the reach of UNICEF's social media efforts?
How to Answer
Show your interviewer your social media skills. Think of any professional experience you have had crafting and scheduling posts, responding to comments and/or questions, and attracting followers to an organization's social media accounts. Explain how you would apply the lessons you learned from those experiences to expand UNICEF's social media presence.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Pro Tip
Discuss how you maintain strong brand consistency and a good reputation for the company while managing social media accounts. Although UNICEF already has a large number of followers, give ideas for boosting counts for specific applications where UNICEF might be lacking.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"As a social media manager for the past seven years, I have utilized HootSuite to create a consistent posting schedule for my organization's Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram accounts. When I am not creating and scheduling posts, I take time to respond to comments in a relatable way and even comment on similar organizatons' posts. This tactic has improved the number of followers on our own accounts and spread awareness of our mission. If I were hired as Social Media Specialist, this would be one of the key strategies I would implement."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"One of my top priorities as Communications Specialist is expanding my organization's reach on social media. I utilize several strategies to this end. When I first started, my organization only had a Facebook account. I quickly developed a rotating schedule for postings to include Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. This increased our following by nearly 500% and led to new donors and volunteers. I understand UNICEF has an impressive social media presence. I believe I can use my tech-savvy and my insight as part of Generation Z to attract more followers from a younger generation."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
Technical
35. Do you have experience writing grant proposals?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Since the vast majority of UNICEF's funding comes from the public sector, it is critical to have an in-depth understanding of the grant cycle. The interviewer will ask you this question if your role involves sourcing, writing, or researching grant proposals in any way.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
How to Answer
If you have experience working with the grant cycle, break down each step of the cycle to demonstrate your knowledge. Next, choose one example of a time you worked through a cycle successfully to procure a grant. Your answer will be enhanced greatly if the grant was from the public sector.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"As a professional grant writer, I have worked through the steps of the grant cycle to identify thousands of funders, create and submit proposals, manage awards, and follow-up with appropriate information showing program impact with the grantor. I have worked with both private foundations and public sector grants. Most recently, I procured a discretionary federal grant in my capacity with the State of Florida. The award provided $500,000 to bolster cybersecurity for small businesses in the state. This is just one example of thousands of grants I have successfully sought in my career."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"In my role as Corporate Relations Officer, I am required to submit grant proposals for corporate grants as well as funding from private foundations. The most recent grant I acquired for my organization was through 3M's corporate giving program; the $50,000 grant helped offset the cost of providing tablets for a local middle school. This award is indicative of the work I have done throughout my entire career. Although my experience is largely in the private sector, I have undergone training and received certification in grant writing for federal grants."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on January 27th, 2022