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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.

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For every child, a chance

In Nigeria, UNICEF works in a complex humanitarian and development setting to fulfill and protect children's rights in partnership with the government, civil society, children, and families.  UNICEF Nigeria is one of the largest UNICEF Country Offices globally - click the link to learn more about UNICEF in Nigeria: https://www.unicef.org/nigeria/

Background:

UNICEF GenU 9JA (Generation Unlimited Nigeria) is a public-private-youth partnership platform established by UNICEF Nigeria Country Office to support UNICEF Nigeria’s programmes deliver results at scale for children and young people. Primary focusing on supporting young Nigerians successfully transition from learning to earning, UNICEF GenU 9JAaims to support 20 million young people, aged 10-24, access connectivity, digital learning, 21^st Century skills and/or livelihood opportunities by 2030. UNICEF GenU 9JA crowds in public and private partners as well as young people with the aim to co-create innovative solutions to be implemented by all partners at scale in support of all UNICEF Nigeria’s programmes.

How can you make a difference? 

Purpose of the Assignment:

Under the supervision of the Chief of Field office in Lagos, Nigeria, the incumbent will support UNICEF's catalytic role in the development of UNICEF GenU 9JA, manage the GenU 9JA ongoing projects (i.e. Unilever FUCAP, GESP P2E, SAP, Botnar Foundation, etc.) and nurture YOMA Nigeria. The Programme Specialist will be responsible for managing UNICEF GenU 9JA’s budget and fundraising needs, as appropriate. She/He will chair GenU 9JA’s Task Force 2 on Workplace Readiness, and work closely with all GenU 9JA partners and young champions, the Young People’s Action Team, the U-Report Specialist and all programme sections and the Innovation Manager to ensure a seamless support to UNICEF’s programming.

Main Responsibilties and Tasks:

Support the GenU 9JA Lead to implement the enabler in support of NCO’s programmes’ for delivery of results at scale:

• Provide support in ensuring GenU 9JA’s Strategy is integrated into UNICEF programme strategies and aligned to outcomes for children and adolescents in education, health, nutrition, child protection, WASH, Gender and Development and other relevant programme sections
• Implement existing GenU 9JA projects, such as Unilever FUCAP, GESP P2E, SAP and Botnar Foundation
• Manage GenU 9JA programme budgets and fundraise, as needed
• Chair Task Force 2 and organize quarterly meetings
• Support GenU 9JA’s Secretariat to monitor implementation and progress of the GenU 9JA strategic plan and ensure timely contribution from UNICEF NCO on agreed components

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  TOR for Programme Specialist UNICEF GenU 9JA for Skills Development VF - TA P3.docx

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

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: International Development, Anthropology, Psychology, Sociology, Education or another relevant field.
• A Bachelor's degree with an additional 2 years of relevant professional experience nay be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience, at the national and international level working with children and marginalized youth in the global south, including on adolescent/youth/community engagement and innovation
• Experience with working Generation Unlimited globally or at national level will be an asset.
• Specialized training in youth, gender, diversity, community leadership and engagement, entrepreneurship, innovation and social, behavioral change is an asset.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, public speaking, presentation, writing, critical thinking and analytical skills
• Fluency in English and a second UN language; Local working language of the duty station 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 (1)

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (1)

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact (1)

(4) Innovates and embraces change (1)

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

(6) Thinks and acts strategically (1)

(7) Works collaboratively with others (1)

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 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.

UNICEF staff members holding fixed term, continuing, or permanent appointments who are considered to be on abolished post status may apply for this temporary position and, if selected with a start date before 31 December 2025, may take it up as a temporary assignment, in line with UNICEF guidance on separation due to the abolition of posts or staff reduction. They will retain their fixed-term entitlements but will not hold a lien to their abolished post. For other scenarios where a Temporary Assignment may be possible, please refer to Additional guidance on IP to IP temporary assignments after completion of the full TOD.pdf (accessible to UNICEF personnel only).

The conditions of a temporary assignment, including relocation entitlements, will depend on the status of the staff member’s original appointment and may be limited in accordance with applicable UNICEF policies, procedures, and practices in force.

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.