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 champion

Under the overall strategic guidance of the Regional Education Adviser, UNICEF ROSA, and immediate supervision of the Early Childhood Development Specialist (and Disability Inclusion Regional Lead), the JPO will support implementation of the South Asia Disability Inclusion Regonal Action Plan linked with DIPAS, providing technical support and assistance on disability-inclusive programming and operations across the region, strengthening the inclusion of children with disabilities in country programme planning and programming and developing staff capacity. The position will also collaborate closely with UNICEF Headquarters to contribute to UNICEF’s global discourse on mainstreaming disability in policies, practice and programming. In addition, the JPO will support the Regional Office  in fostering key partnerships with the aim of driving the advocacy agenda for the rights of children with disabilities and mobilizing resources through strengthening relationships, synergies and coordination with external partner and donor organizations.

How can you make a difference? 

To advance inclusion of children with disabilities in the region and to further align DIPAS with the upcoming UNICEF Strategic Plan (2026-2029), and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030, the JPO, under the direct supervision of the Disability Inclusion Regional Lead, will be responsible for the following key functions/accountabilities:

1. Support implementation of UNICEF’s Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy (DIPAS) and the South Asia Disability Inclusion Regional Action Plan through analyzing and monitoring disability inclusion in programmes and operations in the region and provide technical guidance and assistance on making programmes and operations more inclusive.
2. Support the Regional Office in fostering and strengthening partnerships with organizations of persons with disabilities representing/supporting children and young people with disabilities, organizations working on disability inclusion, donors, other UN agencies and strategic partner organizations.
3. Identify capacity gaps and support development of training opportunities for increased knowledge and understanding on disability inclusive programming at regional and country levels.
4. Support monitoring and evaluation of and knowledge management on disability-inclusive programming and operations.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  JPO TOR - Children with Disabilities_ROSA.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education:  An advanced university degree (Master’s level) in one of the following fields is required: international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law, or another relevant social science field.  
• Work Experience:  A minimum of two years of professional experience in one  of the following areas is required: programme planning, management, and/or research in child rights, social inclusion.  
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.  Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.

Requirements for the Finnish JPO Programme

• Finnish citizenship
• Good knowledge of Finnish or Swedish
• Master’s Degree
• Maximum 32 years of age at the time of application

The JPO training Programme includes the following learning elements:

• UNICEF JPO Orientation Week – Designed to develop professional skills and provide an understanding of how the organization functions and carries out its mission globally.
• JPO Orientation at the UN Staff College in Turin
• E-learning opportunities in performance management
• E-learning opportunities on UNICEF programmes and operational strategies
• JPO Coaching, Mentoring, and Buddy Programme – Tailored to individual needs and aimed at providing insights into organizational culture, training opportunities, and support.
• Stretch Assignments – Go beyond the current job description and offer opportunities to develop new skills in a different duty station, division, or section.
• Career Transition Programme – Tailored to support JPOs in their final year as they plan for future career aspirations.

 The JPO position includes a duty travel and training allowance (DTTA) of $4000 per year which may be used for learning activities related to the assignment and career development.

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 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. For this position, eligible and suitable female 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.

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.