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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 Health

How can you make a difference?

The UNICEF country programme 2026-2030 supports the Government’s efforts to ensure that, by 2030, the most vulnerable children, adolescents and young people in South Africa will live in a safer and more equitable environment, get a fair chance in life and realize their rights to survive, thrive and reach their full capacity. 

The theory of change states that children and adolescents will progressively realize their rights if they can more fully utilize social assistance and basic social services supported by: (i) Government implementation of legislation with greater accountability, more strategic use of evidence, better interdepartmental coordination and more effective public finance management; (ii) a “whole-of-society” approach to leveraging investments in children, mobilizing support from the public and private sectors, as well as civil society; (iii) parents, caregivers and front-line service providers that deliver integrated programmes to reduce harmful practices and promote optimal behaviours for children’s and adolescent’s development and well-being; and (iv) empowerment to participate in decisions that affect their lives and communities. 

The country programme has four programme outcomes aligned with the national priorities and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2026–2030. These outcomes focus on investing in children; child survival and adolescent well-being; education; and child protection. The programme will maximize opportunities to advance child rights, presented by the global stature of South Africa, rooted in the legacy of Nelson Mandela and its leadership in development and human rights.

Job organizational context:

The Chief Health and Nutrition (System Strengthening) reports to the Deputy Representative, and is responsible for the overall management and administration in the development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Health & Nutrition programme in the context of child survival and development within the country programme. Accountable for effective technical leadership, management guidance and programme support to facilitate the application and adaptation of UNICEF policies and strategies to achieve programme goals and expansion of UNICEF assisted Health & Nutrition interventions, including the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Chief of Section

• directs, leads, manages, develops and enables a competent team of professional and support staff to achieve the strategic goals and objectives of the Health & Nutrition programme, with a view to integrating gender equality across all aspects of the country programme.
• Contributes to create synergy partnerships which reinforce other organizations – including other UN Agencies – SDGs strategic directions in areas where UNICEF has primary responsibility or comparative advantage such as interrelated areas of maternal, new-born, and child health and nutrition.

With a strong focus on Health System Strengthening (HSS) and Primary Health Care (PHC), the role leads UNICEF support to the Ministry of Health and relevant ministries in policy dialogue, system reforms, programme implementation, resource mobilization, innovative financing, emergency preparedness, and delivery of integrated services at national, provincial/district, and community levels. Given the ongoing health reforms, the role also leads on public private partnerships (PPP) on health, health sector financial reviews and the national health insurance and will work closely, in Humanitarian Action, with the Nutrition and Health clusters within the inter-agency standing committee (IASC).

Key functions: 

1. Timely and quality sectoral analysis, input, support and coordination contribute to the Situation Analysis, its periodic update, and all programme documents to formulate effective Section goals, strategy, and project planning and development.
2. Integrated Section strategies, methodologies and innovative approaches are developed and implemented based on results-based approach and Human Rights framework by broad participation and collaboration with internal and external partnership.
3. Technical support is provided to government and NGOs at all stages of the programme cooperation, including capacity building of government personnel and beneficiaries.
4. Monitoring and evaluation of programme performance is systematically undertaken for adjustment, acceleration and improvement of program delivery.
5. Workplan and objectives are effectively established, performance is managed, and planned results are timely delivered through exercise of strong programme management leadership.
6. The capacities of Country Office staff are strengthened through effective capacity building programme in the development, implementation and management of Health & Nutrition programme. 
7. UNICEF and Government accountability is ensured for supply and non-supply assistance and disbursement of programme funds for the sector.
8. Effective partnership and collaboration are achieved and maintained in the advancement of advocacy, technical cooperation, programme coordination, information sharing and knowledge networking.
9. The most relevant and strategic information is provided to support the Health & Nutrition Programme  by the effective implementation of integrated programme monitoring system.
10. All required programme reports are timely prepared in compliance with the established guidelines and procedures. 
11. Emergency preparedness is maintained, and in emergencies, emergency responses with effective coordination are provided.
12. Other assigned duties and responsibilities are effectively accomplished.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  JD Chief Health and Nutrition (Systems Strengthening) P5.pdf

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

Minimum requirements

• Education: Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Public Health, Nutrition and Dietetics, Medicine, Health systems, Health economics, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, International health, Health policy, Health administration or related field.
• Work Experience: A minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience at the national and international levels in health system strengthening, planning, programming, implementation monitoring and evaluation of health and nutrition programmes, including those relevant to child survival & development. Professional work experience in a managerial position, or a technical expert position in health, nutrition, and child survival & health care.
• Skills: Technical leadership, Knowledge of the global commitment on aid effectiveness, health economics, health financing and innovation, experience with UNICEF programmes.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.

Desirables

• Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language,
• University degree at PhD and/or doctoral level,
• Experience in DHIS2, public private partnerships, digital health, national health insurance,
• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

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.

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 are conditional on the selected candidates willingness to comply with current or future vaccination requirements, should UNICEF mandate it for personnel. Failure to comply with such requirements, where applicable and without a duly approved medical exemption from the relevant UN authority, will result in the cancellation of the selection or may lead to other administrative measures, including separation from service.

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.

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

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.