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, a calling.

We are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not a job, it’s a calling.

UNICEF's Global Shared Services Centre (GSSC) in Budapest, Hungary provides services to UNICEF offices globally in the areas of Finance, Human Resources, Payroll and Information Technology. For more information about GSSC please visit our webpage at Global Shared Services Centre (GSSC)  and check this YouTube.

How can you make a difference?

The Business Innovation and Support (BIS) section has been established to drive business modernization and efficiency across UNICEF. The section supports staff globally and works closely with all HQ Divisions, regional and country offices for simplification and automation of processes applying LEAN principles and project management methodologies.

BIS is seeking a GS-5 Project Assistant to join the Digital and Data Innovation Stream under the guidance of the IT Officer, Network Administrator, NOB (Applications Support). This role will focus on supporting the implementation of the Boosting Office Operational Efficiency (BOOE) project, which addresses gaps in enterprise platforms by providing methodologies and tools tailored to meet the specific operational needs of UNICEF offices. The Project Assistant will also promote innovation and explore new technologies and practices within GSSC as well as in the broader UNICEF system. This role is pivotal to enhancing operational efficiency, fostering innovation, and advancing digital transformation efforts across UNICEF.

This is a temporary appointment opportunity for an initial period of 17 March 2025 to 31 December 2025.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Project Support and Coordination

• Support the implementation of the Boosting Office Operational Efficiency (BOOE) initiative.
• Assist in planning, organizing, and executing project activities, ensuring adherence to timelines, milestones, and objectives.
• Maintain comprehensive project documentation, including reports, proposals, presentations, and progress updates.
• Coordinate meetings, workshops, and consultations with stakeholders, preparing agendas and documenting key outcomes.

2. Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

• Act as a liaison between the project team, and stakeholders to facilitate seamless communication and alignment.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to ensure project activities align with organizational goals.
• Prepare detailed reports, presentations, and summaries to communicate project progress and achievements.
• Document meeting outcomes, decisions, and action items for effective follow-up and alignment with project goals.

3. Research and Analysis

• Conduct research on industry best practices, organizational agility, and emerging technologies to inform activities of the team.
• Analyze trends and provide insights to optimize strategies and implementation techniques.

4. Supporting Innovation

• Contribute to the development, implementation, and monitoring of GSSC's innovation strategy.
• Support the development and strengthening of the GSSC innovation network
• Strengthen collaborate with universities and academic institutions to foster partnerships that drive research and innovation initiatives.
• Promote the adoption of design thinking and user-centered design methodologies to identify and solve challenges innovatively.
• Facilitate events/workshops to involve end-users in co-creating solutions that meet their needs and improve user experience.
• Assist in developing and managing tools, resources, and communication materials to support innovation initiatives.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  Job description

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

Education:

• Completion of secondary education (i.e., high school diploma) is a minimum requirement. University degree or master’s degree in the field of work such as business administration and innovation management are an asset.

Work Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of relevant professional work experience in innovation/strategy management preferably within the UN or other international organizations is required. A completed bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in a field relevant to the position counts as three years of relevant work experience, while a completed master’s degree adds two additional years.
• Advanced proficiency in Office 365 products, including MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, is required. ·
• Familiarity with tools such as MS Power Platform, SharePoint, data management systems, and digital transformation technologies is desirable.
• Experience in a development organization with a multicultural and diverse environment is an asset.
• Work experience in partnership building with academic institutions is an asset. Experience in establishing and managing innovation networks, including connecting with external experts and facilitating knowledge exchange is an asset.
• Background in project setup and related communication is an asset.

Language requirements:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

Internal applicants from the GSSC are required to complete the Learning Path corresponding to their current level before applying for another position. Additionally, they must attach a snapshot of the completed path to their applications. Applications that do not meet these two minimum requirements will not be considered. For further details on learning paths, please visit the L&D Portal Learning and Development (sharepoint.com).    

Applicants must be nationals of Hungary or EU/Schengen countries OR in the possession of a valid long-term Hungarian residence and work permits. Temporary and/or sponsored visas are not accepted. UNICEF GSSC does not facilitate MFA accreditation for locally recruited staff, applicants must be holders of acceptable permits already at the time of application. Applicants with non-EU citizenship must attach copies of their valid Hungarian work permits, otherwise their applications will not be considered.

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 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

As an advocate for every child, you will receive

• A competitive salary which is exempted from paying national income taxes in Hungary on United Nations emoluments. The tax-free salary of this position starts at net HUF 684,059 per month. Please check SalCalcLocal (undp.org) for simulation. 
• Hybrid work opportunity
• Holidays and leave, including 18 days of annual leave per year (prorated in line with contract length)
• Parental leave
• Dependency allowance
• United Nations sponsored medical insurance plan
• Pension plan
• Optional life insurance plan
• Access to professional development and learning programs, online learning and learning path
• Access to staff well-being support
• Access to career development support

Please visit Compensation and Benefit site on UNICEF Career page

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.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children.

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.

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.