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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 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 Shelter 

Scope of Work
UNICEF Namibia Country Office developed the Country Program Document (CPD) 2025-2029, with a focus on four main outcome areas, namely Social Policy and Social Protection, Learning, Development and Participation in a Protective Environment, Maternal and Child Survival and Development and Programme Effectiveness. The programme is derived from the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2025–2029 and aligned with the social transformation pillars of the UNSDCF and National Development Plan 6 (NDP6).

Namibia has a strong commitment towards the Sustainable Development Goals, and this is evident in its progressive social policy framework and investments in the social sectors (14.5 per cent of government expenditure in 2024/25 was allocated to health, 23.1 per cent to education and 8.0 per cent to social protection). However, child grants receive lower levels of investment relative to other mechanisms that benefit adults, despite evidence showing that they have higher rates of return. All program areas within the country office contributes towards the wellbeing of children. Within the broader cross-cutting strategies, the Namibia Country Office prioritized high-level advocacy to mobilize and leverage both public and private investments and partnerships for the survival and development of children and adolescents, to support the Government to seize the demographic dividend. Partnering with government on public financing for children is a core part of UNICEF’s mandate. It forms the mechanism through which UNICEF supports governments’ commitment to invest in child rights ‘to the maximum extent of available resources’, as set out in Article 4 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child General Comment No. 19 on Public Budgeting for the Realization of Children’s Rights. Lastly focusing on public finance management to safeguard these investments and ensure that they are efficiently and equitably spent on high-impact interventions for children, while using systems strengthening and integrated approaches that are gender-responsive. 

How can you make a difference? 

The consultant is expected to deliver four days high quality training program to the UNICEF Namibia Country Office staff members, with a focus on on UNICEF’s approach to public finance, and how UNICEF NCO staff can influence and support the mobilization, allocation, and use of public financial resources to improve the adequacy, efficiency, and equity of public investments in children, and thus, ensure the right of every child to essential social services. The training should aim to equip staff members across different sectors, with knowledge, techniques and tools to support efforts to increase investments in children and apply public financial insights and perspectives to their planning, advocacy and programming. The Consultant is expected to provide interactive training using various methods such as presentations, group work, videos, brainstorming, plenary discussion, interactive activities based on case studies and many others. 

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

Minimum requirements:

[Include the vacancy requirements aligned to the category and level of the position. You can see examples in the branded VA example.]

• Education: [Advance degree in economics, development finance or related field.  

• Work Experience: At least five (5) years of relevant work experience in Public Finance Management
• Experience with financial analysis techniques, public finance advocacy with policy makers
• Skills/Knowledge/Expertise: 
  • Familiarity working with various tools and techniques on public finance for children and/or working with UNICEF on PF4C.
  • Government experience; familiarity with the UN system and UNICEF
  • Demonstrated ability to work with people of various professional, academic and cultural backgrounds
  • Strong analytical ability
  • Dynamic interpersonal and communication skills, energetic, creative, and pragmatic
  • Ability to conduct high quality trainings
• Language Requirements: [Fluent in English.  Knowledge of a local language will be an asset. 

Desirables: None

How to Apply

Qualified and interested candidates are encouraged to submit an online application before the closing date.

• Please submit expressions of interest together with:
• A cover letter, no longer than 1 page, and curriculum vitae showing how the consultant meets the required qualifications, experience and expertise.
• Technical Proposal demonstrating the consultant’s understanding of the Terms of Reference (ToR), the proposed methodology/approach and timelines for the respective deliverables; and
• A financial proposal/budget, which must include all expenses related to the assignment.

Incomplete applications e.g. without financial/budget proposal will not be considered. If you have not been contacted within 2 months of the closing date, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. Regret emails will be sent only to shortlisted/contacted candidates.

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 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable [Insert candidates from targeted underrepresented groups] 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.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.