UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.
At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.
UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.
Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.
For every child, the right to a Hero
As part of its evolving operational presence strategy, UNICEF has undertaken a reorganization of its field architecture to enhance the effectiveness, accountability, and coherence of its multisectoral interventions. This new approach shifts from a zone office model staffed with sectoral specialists to a more agile presence focused on coordination, strategic monitoring, and support to government partners in program implementation. Five convergence zones have been identified as priorities for integrated interventions in health, nutrition, education, WASH, social and behavioral change (SBC), and child protection. In each zone, two national Programme Officer (Field Coordinators) (NO-B level) are deployed to monitor activity implementation, coordinate locally with authorities and partners, and ensure upward information flow to the central level.
How can you make a difference?
As Programme Officer (Team Leader), you will serve as UNICEF’s focal point in the convergence zones, supporting the monitoring of integrated multisectoral interventions initiated centrally in collaboration with the government. These interventions aim to improve access to quality services in primary health, nutrition, education, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and child protection, through a child rights-based approach.
You will coordinate with prefectural and local authorities, technical partners, communities, and UNICEF central teams to enhance the quality, accountability, and coverage of essential services for children and vulnerable groups.
Tasks and responsibilities:
• Programme Implementation Support Assist in coordinating UNICEF-supported activities in target zones in collaboration with local authorities and implementing partners. Support planning and monitoring of interventions in maternal and child health, nutrition, education, WASH, SBC, and child protection. Contribute to the preparation of programme work plans and ensure timely implementation of assigned activities.
• Data Collection and Reporting Collect and compile quantitative and qualitative data on programme indicators to support monitoring and reporting. Assist in preparing field reports and updates to inform central-level decision-making and programme adjustments.
• Local Capacity Strengthening Support training sessions, joint supervision visits, and technical assistance for service providers and community structures. Contribute to documentation of good practices and lessons learned to enhance programme quality and sustainability.
• Coordination and Representation Participate in local coordination meetings with sectoral partners and authorities, representing UNICEF at the operational level. Maintain regular communication with regional directorates and technical partners to ensure alignment and collaboration.
• Programme Resources and Supplies Monitor the availability and distribution of essential supplies (e.g.,nutrition kits, medicines, WASH materials) in coordination with logistics and programme teams. Assist in tracking resource utilization and reporting on supply-related issues.
• Barrier Identification and Recommendations Support the identification of service delivery challenges and propose practical solutions to improve programme coverage and effectiveness.
• Advocacy and Communication Support Contribute to the development of communication materials and advocacy messages to promote awareness of child rights and programme priorities. • Assist in organizing community-level engagement activities and visibility efforts.
If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: 
Classified Job Descriptions - Programme Officer (team leader).pdf
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
- Education: Bachelor or equivalent (First Level University Degree) in Management, public health, nutrition, education, child protection, WASH, community development, and any other related fields.
- Work Experience: A minimum of 2 years of professional experience in implementing health, nutrition, WASH, or child protection programs, preferably in humanitarian contexts.
- Skills: Excellent communication, coordination, and teamwork skills.
- Language Requirements: Fluency in French is required
Desirables:
- Language: Knowledge of Sango or English is an asset. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.
- Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.
- Strong knowledge of the Central African Republic context, including humanitarian dynamics.
For every Child, you demonstrate...
UNICEF's Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values
UNICEF competencies required for this post are…
(1) Builds and maintains partnerships
(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
(3) Drive to achieve results for impact
(4) Innovates and embraces change
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity
(6) Thinks and acts strategically
(7) Works collaboratively with others
(8) Nurtures, leads and manages people
Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.
This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is either a role with direct contact with children, a role that works directly with identifiable children's data, a safeguarding response role, or an assessed risk role. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) apply.
UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.
UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.
Remarks:
As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.
Open to UNICEF internal staff only.
UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.
Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.
UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants' bank account information.
Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF's Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.
Visa residence requirements: i.e. UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.
All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.
Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.
