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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. 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 personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

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

For every child, dedication

Mauritania is located in the Sahelo Saharan region. Essentially desert, the country has a low population density, with four inhabitants per square kilometer. Its population of 4.78 million is very young (about 52 per cent are under 19 years of age and 75 per cent under 35 years of age) and the majority (56 per cent1) lives in the country’s major cities. The country, which has one of the largest refugee camps in the Sahel, is still experiencing the effects of the crisis in the subregion.

Despite the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the crisis in Ukraine, Mauritania has been able to revive its economy and pursue its development objectives as defined in the Strategy for Accelerated Growth and Shared Prosperity (SCAPP) 2016–2030 and the President’s Expanded Priority Program, September 2020. Following contractions in 2020, economic growth has accelerated and was expected to reach 5.3 per cent in 2022.

The country is not yet able to create enough jobs, especially for youth, nor to ensure redistributive growth and equitable access to public services. The poverty rate remains high (28.2 per cent in 2020), especially in rural areas (41.2 per cent, compared with 14.4 per cent in urban areas). Nearly 56.9 per cent of the population live below the multidimensional poverty line. Children are the poorest age group, with a 31 per cent rate of monetary poverty and an estimated 61.9 per cent rate of multidimensional poverty. Thirty-six per cent of 14–19-year-olds and 44 per cent of 20–24-year-olds are not in education, employment or training. There are still significant disparities between urban and rural areas, between rich and poor areas, and between regions.

The 2024-2027 Country Program Management Plan (CPMP) considers (i) the results and trends of the updated analysis of the situation of children, (ii) the lessons learned from implementation of the 2018-2022 cooperation program and UNDAF (2018-2022), (iii) the main programmatic and managerial risks, and (iv) the estimated resources and means required to implement and achieve the strategies, objectives and results formulated. The new cooperation program cycle for Mauritania (2024-2027) is a real opportunity to induce the adjustments and prioritizations needed to continue unfinished work, consolidate achievements, and take up new challenges and those insufficiently considered for the realization of children's rights in line with the acceleration of the SDGs. To this end, the country program will contribute to achieving the priorities of the Strategy for Accelerated Growth and Shared Prosperity (SCAPP) and the UNSDCF 2024-2027. It will pay particular attention to the equity dimension and the reduction of inequalities and discrimination and will contribute to national efforts to (i) localize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), (ii) take into account the recommendations of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), and (iii) the concluding observations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child and the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

How can you make a difference? 

The Deputy Representative reports to the CO Representative for general supervision and direction. The Deputy Representative supports the Representative on the overall management of the CO and for coordinating closely with the different programme sections on all phases of the Country Office Programme, from formulation to delivery of results in accordance with UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework, ethics and integrity.

The Deputy Representative supports the Representative in leading and leveraging partnerships with both public and private sectors for the achievement of results and fulfilment of the rights of children. 

Key Accountabilities, Duties & Tasks

1. CO programme planning and development.
2. Support to the Representative on managing the CO.
3. Monitoring and quality control of programmes.
4. Alliance building and UN System coordination.
5. Private Sector Engagement and Partnerships.
6. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  GJP - Deputy Representative Level 4 - Mauritania.doc

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

• Education: 
  • An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: social sciences, international relations, government and public relations, public or social policy, sociology, social or community development, or another relevant technical field.

• Work Experience: 
  • A minimum of eight years of professional development experience that combines technical and managerial leadership in development cooperation at the international level, some of which served in a developing country is required.
• Language Requirements: 
  • Fluency in French and English is required. Knowledge of Arabic is an asset.

Desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency contexts, particularly within the humanitarian settings of the Sahel region is an asset.
• Relevant professional experience in UNICEF/UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.

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

The 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 is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

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.

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.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.