20 UNICEF USA Interview Questions and Answers

When you go to a job interview, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your qualifications, experience, and goals. However, if you’re interviewing for a position with UNICEF USA, you may also be asked questions specific to the company and its mission.

UNICEF USA is dedicated to saving and protecting the world’s most vulnerable children. As such, they are looking for candidates who are passionate about their work and committed to making a difference in the lives of children. In your interview, you will need to demonstrate your knowledge of UNICEF USA’s work and your commitment to the organization’s mission.

To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of sample UNICEF USA interview questions and answers. With these questions, you can show your interviewer that you’re the right candidate for the job.

UNICEF USA Interview Process

The interview process at UNICEF USA can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For internships, the process usually consists of a phone screening followed by a face-to-face interview. For manager positions, the process may include multiple rounds of interviews, including a written exam. The process for director positions may also be lengthy, with multiple rounds of interviews and a presentation. Overall, the interview process can be quite long, taking up to three months from start to finish.

1. Why do you want to work at UNICEF USA?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why you are passionate about working for this organization. It is important to show your interest in helping children, especially those who are most vulnerable.

Example: “I want to work at UNICEF USA because I am passionate about helping children around the world. I have always wanted to make a difference in someone’s life, and I feel that working here would allow me to do just that. I also love traveling, so being able to visit different countries while doing something meaningful sounds like an amazing opportunity.”

2. Tell me about a time that you had to be innovative in your approach to solve a problem.

This question can help an interviewer understand your problem-solving skills and how you use them to achieve success. Use examples from previous work experiences or personal life that show your ability to think creatively and solve problems effectively.

Example: “In my last role, I had a team of five people who were responsible for creating content for social media platforms. We needed to find ways to create more engaging content while also reducing the time it took us to produce it. So, we decided to try using emojis in our posts to see if they would increase engagement. It worked! Our followers responded well to the emojis and shared our posts more often than before.”

3. How would you use your past experience and education to fulfill the duties of this position?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have a strong understanding of what this position entails and how your past experience can help you succeed in it. When answering, try to highlight skills or experiences that are relevant to the job description.

Example: “I believe my previous work as a fundraiser for a local nonprofit would be beneficial to this role because I understand the importance of raising funds for UNICEF USA’s mission. In my last fundraising role, I learned valuable techniques for communicating with donors and building relationships with them. These skills will help me raise awareness about UNICEF USA’s programs and encourage others to donate.”

4. What are some things you look for when hiring someone new?

This question can help employers understand your hiring process and how you choose the best candidates for their organization. Use this opportunity to explain what qualities you look for in a new hire, such as communication skills, teamwork abilities or problem-solving skills.

Example: “I always look for someone who is passionate about helping others. I also want to see that they have some experience working with children because it helps them relate to our mission. Finally, I look for people who are willing to learn and grow within the organization.”

5. If a staff member was not meeting expectations, what steps would you take to correct this?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a situation that may arise in the workplace. When answering, it can be helpful to think of a time when you helped a colleague improve their performance or behavior.

Example: “If I noticed a staff member was not meeting expectations, I would first try to speak with them about what they could do differently. If this didn’t work, I would ask my supervisor for advice on how to proceed. In the past, I have had to address a coworker who wasn’t following protocol and needed guidance on how to complete tasks more efficiently. After speaking with them, we came up with a plan to help them meet deadlines.”

6. How well do you deal with conflict?

Working in a nonprofit can sometimes involve conflict. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the skills and experience needed to work with others who may not always agree with your ideas or opinions. In your answer, explain how you would handle a situation where two people disagree. Show that you are willing to compromise while also standing up for what you believe is right.

Example: “I think it’s important to be open-minded when working with others. I try my best to listen to other people’s points of view before making any decisions. If we still cannot come to an agreement, I will take some time to reflect on the issue and then offer another solution. I am confident that if everyone involved is willing to compromise, we can find a solution that works for everyone.”

7. Do you have any previous experience working with children?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your experience working with children and how you interact with them. If you have previous experience, share what you did in that role and how it helped you develop skills to work with children. If you don’t have any experience working with children, you can talk about a time when you interacted with children or worked with people who had young children.

Example: “I’ve never worked directly with children before, but I do have some experience interacting with children. In my last position as an administrative assistant, I often interacted with parents of the students I supported. I learned how to communicate clearly with adults and respond to their questions and concerns.”

8. What is an example of a successful fundraising campaign you were involved in?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with fundraising and how you might apply that to working for UNICEF USA, United States Fund For Unicef. Use examples from previous work or school projects to highlight your skills in this area.

Example: “In my last position as a fundraiser for an animal shelter, I helped organize a campaign where we sold dog-themed baked goods at local farmers markets. We raised over $1,000 by selling these treats, which was enough money to buy food and supplies for all of our dogs for two weeks.”

9. Can you tell me about your leadership style?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you would lead a team of employees at UNICEF USA, United States Fund For Unicef. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe your leadership style and provide an example of when you used that style in a previous position.

Example: “I believe my leadership style is collaborative. I like to work with my team members to come up with solutions to problems or challenges we’re facing. In my last role as a marketing manager, I worked with my team to create a new social media campaign for our company’s product. We all contributed ideas and feedback on each other’s ideas until we came up with a plan that was beneficial for the company.”

10. In your opinion, what is one of the biggest threats facing children today?

This question can help interviewers understand your passion for the cause and how you might approach a problem. In your answer, try to explain what steps you would take to address this issue.

Example: “One of the biggest threats facing children today is child labor. Children should be able to enjoy their childhood without having to work long hours in dangerous conditions. I believe that we need to raise awareness about this issue so people know it exists and are willing to do something about it. We also need to provide resources to families who need them so they don’t have to send their kids to work.”

11. Are you comfortable traveling to other countries on short notice?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your flexibility and willingness to travel. If you have previous experience traveling for work, share that information with the interviewer. If you don’t have any professional travel experience, explain how you would feel if you were asked to travel on short notice.

Example: “I am very comfortable traveling to other countries on short notice. In my last position as a marketing manager, I had to travel to different states every week for client meetings. I’m used to packing light and staying in hotels.”

12. Tell us about a time where you worked as part of a team.

Working as part of a team is an important skill to have when working for UNICEF. The organization has many different departments that work together to achieve their goals, so it’s important to be able to collaborate with others and communicate effectively.

Example: “I worked at my previous job as the marketing director for a small business. I was responsible for creating content for our website and social media accounts, which included writing blog posts and developing graphics. My coworkers were also in charge of other aspects of the company’s marketing strategy, such as advertising and public relations. We all met once a week to discuss what we had accomplished since our last meeting and plan out our upcoming tasks.”

13. How would you handle communicating difficult news to a family or child?

This question can help interviewers assess your communication skills and ability to empathize with others. Use examples from past experiences where you had to deliver bad news or information that was difficult for a family or child to hear.

Example: “In my last role, I often communicated with families about their children’s health issues. In one case, I spoke with a mother who noticed her son wasn’t developing as quickly as other children his age. After speaking with the mother, I learned she didn’t have access to healthcare services in her community. She also didn’t know how to get her son to a hospital for treatment.

I explained our organization could provide transportation to the hospital and medical care if needed. The mother was so relieved when I told her we could help her son receive the care he needed.”

14. What kind of community involvement have you had in the past?

This question is a great way to learn more about the applicant’s personality and values. It also helps employers see how you might fit into their organization. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention an experience that helped you develop your skills or made you feel proud of yourself.

Example: “I have always been passionate about helping others. In high school, I started volunteering at my local animal shelter. This led me to start a dog walking business where I would walk dogs for people who were unable to do so themselves. I learned valuable communication skills while working with different clients and gained confidence in myself as a leader.”

15. Have you dealt with sensitive information before? Were there any challenges associated with it?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to handle confidential information. Use past experiences where you had access to sensitive data and how you handled it.

Example: “In my current role, I have access to highly sensitive information regarding the company’s financials. While I am not authorized to share any of that information with anyone outside the organization, I take great care in protecting it from unauthorized access. I use secure passwords for all accounts and avoid leaving documents on my desk when I leave work.”

16. What motivates you to come into work every day?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand what drives your passion for helping children. Your answer should reflect your commitment to UNICEF’s mission, as well as your personal values.

Example: “I come into work every day because I want to make a difference in the lives of children around the world. I am passionate about working with an organization that is dedicated to improving the lives of children who are living in poverty or war-torn areas. I also love my job because it allows me to travel to different countries and meet new people.”

17. What do you think are the most important qualities for a good manager?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a potential manager. As an employee of UNICEF, you may be asked to manage others at some point in your career. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what makes a good leader and how those qualities relate to management.

Example: “I believe that a good manager should have strong communication skills, empathy and problem-solving abilities. A good manager is someone who can listen to their team members and understand their needs. They are also able to solve problems creatively and effectively. I feel like these three qualities are important for any type of leader.”

18. We want our interns to make meaningful contributions while they are here. What did you get out of internships previously?

This question helps employers understand what you hope to get out of your internship with them. It also gives them an idea of how you might contribute to the organization and whether or not you are a good fit for their culture.

Example: “I have had two internships previously, one at a local newspaper and another at a nonprofit that helped children in foster care. At both places, I learned valuable skills that I use every day. The newspaper taught me how to write concisely and quickly while still being informative. My time at the nonprofit showed me how important it is to help others and gave me experience working with people from all walks of life.”

19. Describe a time where you successfully managed multiple projects simultaneously.

The interviewer may ask this question to understand your ability to multitask and prioritize tasks. Use examples from your experience that highlight your organizational skills, time management abilities and attention to detail.

Example: “In my previous role as a marketing specialist, I was responsible for managing multiple projects simultaneously while also ensuring the quality of my work. One project involved creating an annual report for our company’s website, which required me to research information about our organization and create content for each section of the report. Another project involved developing a social media campaign for our brand, which included creating graphics and writing copy for posts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.”

20. Do you enjoy working independently?

Working for an organization like UNICEF USA, United States Fund For Unicef requires a lot of independent work. The interviewer wants to make sure you’re comfortable with this aspect of the job. If you are, explain why. If not, explain how you would overcome any challenges that come from working independently.

Example: “I enjoy working independently because it allows me to be more productive and creative. I find that when I’m working in a group setting, I sometimes get distracted by what others are doing. When I’m on my own, I can focus all of my attention on the task at hand.”