Current vacancies

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, an opportunity...

Please click the link for further information about UNICEF Viet Nam: https://www.unicef.org/vietnam/

How can you make a difference? 

The UNICEF Viet Nam Country Programme 2022-2026 is in its final year with the Country Programme 2027-2031 under development and planned to continue supporting the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets, aligned to UNICEF Strategic Plan 2026-2029 with equity as the fundamental principle. The Education Programme is a key component of the UNICEF Country Programme, aiming to enhance policy and legal frameworks for the realization of children’s right to education and to strengthen accountability of the education system, legislators and policy makers to families, children and the public to deliver on commitments of quality, equitable and inclusive education in the context of education sector plans. Given Viet Nam’s demographic data showing it has the largest proportion of young people in the country’s history, a particular focus of the Education programme is on adolescents and youth with an emphasis on skills development (socio-emotional, transferable, green, digital skills); skills of social innovation; girls participation in Science, Technology Engineering, and Mathematics subjects; secondary education completion; participation especially related to Climate Change and Environmental Adaptation, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS); and the transition from learning to earning.

Job organizational context:

Viet Nam stands to benefit enormously from its demographic dividend, currently having the highest proportion of young people in its history. Data from the Population Change and Family Planning Survey 2022 shows that the population of under-18 years is over 30 million, boys representing almost 52%. While the data show a young nation, Viet Nam is also grappling with rapid ageing of its population. This limits the window of opportunity to ensure Government makes the right investments that: promote the skilling, learning and well-being of all adolescents and young people; address climate education and actions with and for children and adolescents; contribute to stronger learning and participation outcomes for adolescents in the Education, and, importantly, promote a ready transition of adolescents from learning to earning through jobs, livelihoods, and study/career pathways, contributing to better social development and economic progress for the country more generally. 

Within its Education programme, UNICEF Viet Nam promotes the rights of all children to a quality and inclusive education. A specific workstream focus is the promotion of the rights and well-being of adolescents to quality and inclusive education that nurtures them to master skills and knowledge relevant and applicable in their changing world.  This requires a view to adolescent development broadly including looking at adolescent needs across multiple areas like mental wellbeing support, protection, climate vulnerability, and health, that contribute to an adolescent’s ability to remain in school, learn and transit well to the labour market.

Purpose for the job:

The Education Officer reports to the Education Specialist - 2nd Decade Education & Learning, under the overall management of the Chief of Education. While he/she will support work across the Education programme as needed, he/she will have specific tasks and accountabilities related to emergent critical areas for adolescents’ skills and competencies including climate/green skills, mental health and wellbeing in education, disaster risk reduction (DRR) and education in emergencies (EiE). The post holder will have a central role in coordinating mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) related work across sections in the office, from planning to interventions, and monitoring and evaluation. In addition, the post will support planning and strategic thinking on transition from learning to livelihoods.

The Education Officer provides professional technical, operational and administrative assistance and support throughout the programming process for the education programmes/projects, coordinating and facilitating the application of theoretical and technical skills in researching, collecting, analyzing and presenting technical programme information.

The Education Officer has a critical role in ensuring the UNICEF Education programme responds to and caters to the realities of children and adolescents in a changing world. This implies strengthened initiatives to keep them in school, to promote relevant learning and skills opportunities well-matched to today’s world and job market needs including green skills and initiatives around climate change, education in emergency, disaster risk reduction in education sector, support their mental wellbeing, and to transition from learning to earning.

The Education Officer will provide capacity support and coordination to the Country Office’s Education in Emergencies workstream, from  planning, implementation to monitoring, and evaluation of UNICEF’s Education emergency preparedness, response and recovery. The focus will be on programming to ensure improved school resilience, preparedness, continued access to quality education, and recovery efforts in the context of disasters in affected locations in line with UNICEF’s Core Commitments for Children (CCC) in Emergency and national/ international humanitarian standards. The Focal Point will represent Education inputs into officewide work EiE and education sector disaster risk reduction.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Support to programme development and planning

2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results

3. Technical and operational support to programme implementation

4. Networking and partnership building

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building.

Please refer to the full Job Profile for more information:  TA NOA Education Officer.pdf

Contract duration: From 1 June till 31 December 2026, with possibility of extension. 

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

Education requirement:

A university degree in social science, political science, health science, anthropology, psychology, sociology, education or another relevant technical field is required.

Work Experience: 

A minimum of two years of professional experience in education focused on learning and skills of children and adolescents.

Professional experience in development, planning and management of young people’s participation or related areas is an advantage.

Proficiency in computer skills (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, social media, and others) is required.

Experience working with youth (led) organizations is considered as an asset.

Demonstration of the following:

- Good knowledge of the major development issues with regard education issues, especially related to MHPSS, DRR/CC, EiE and the application of such issues in Viet Nam;

- Good interpersonal, networking and communication skills;

- Willingness to contribute and work as part of a team;

- Flexible and open to learning and new experiences;

- Ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;

- Ability to achieve common goals and promote professional growth of self and colleagues;

- Ability to work with autonomy, personal initiative and to take ownership;

- Resourcefulness and willingness to accept extra responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures;

- Ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially;

- Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.

Language Requirements: 

Fluency in English is required.  Knowledge of another official UN language is considered as an asset

Knowledge of an ethnic minority language is an advantage.

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…

+ Builds and maintains partnerships (1)

+ Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (1)

+ Drive to achieve results for impact (1)

+ Innovates and embraces change (1)

+ Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

+ Thinks and acts strategically (1)

+ Works collaboratively with others (1)

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/

Life at UNICEF

Working at UNICEF is highly rewarding. With attractive remuneration package encompassing competitive pay and benefits, a culture that helps staff thrive and diverse opportunities for personal and professional development, we aim to help you maintain a fulfilling life both at and outside the office.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff. Our contracts, wellbeing policies and initiatives ensure that you are well equipped to effectively deliver for children such as:

Tax exemption, family allowances, hardship benefits, 10 UN holidays and annual leave allowance, maternity, paternity, adoption leave, medical and dental insurance, pension etc.

Pension benefits: You will become a participant in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (https://www.unjspf.org).

Health insurance scheme: You and your eligible dependents will be covered by the UN Medical Insurance Plan (https://www.un.org/insurance/plans/medical-insurance-plan-mip).

Career support, staff wellbeing programme, breastfeeding policy, flexible work arrangements, family support, policies & initiatives, security, reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

Professional Development: The encouragement of professional development for all staff is one of UNICEF’s core values and we put this into practice through various services and initiatives. You will have different learning opportunities to strengthen your skills and competencies.

Be part of the United Nations: As an International organization that is part of the United Nations system, you will be considered an International Civil Servant and you will have career opportunities inside and outside the country.

Quality working conditions:

The workplace and working conditions are a huge asset for all UNICEF employees. Our staff are working in the Green One UN House - the first building in Viet Nam to be awarded gold LOTUS certification from the Viet Nam Green Building Council for efficient and environmentally sustainable use of resources and operations.

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.  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 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.

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.

https://vietnam.un.org/en/86207-announcement-time-hire-un-agencies-viet-nam-national-positions